The most truthful review of this vehicle that I've viewed so far. I agree with almost everything he said. I've owned a 2014 RDX, essentially the exact car he's reviewing, since March 2014.
I have a 2013 RDX and love it with 47k....mechanically sound, amazingly comfortable and very fuel efficient. I owned an IS250 before and it was nothing but problems, recalls, engine rebuilt at 30k, so disappointing! I was always a Honda fan and then changed it up, now back! Acura/Honda are the best!!
Boy you guys are tough on Acura. The big advantage to Acura's are that they stay on the road, not the shop. They run and do what they are supposed to. Maintenance will not kill you.
+Winston - Could be, I am thinking that the potential owners are thinking more about how durable and comfortable the vehicle is, more than the Star Trek electronics... When GM sold its highest numbers ever, they left the engine and drive trains alone, and concentrated on styling. Today it appears the engineers concentrate on Electronics rather than styling. Same idea different target.
This blows the crv away. You can get a 2015 acura with technology package with awd for 37k if you spend some time at the dealership haggling . I don't much care for the acura navigation . The acura has better seats , audio , power hatch, more options , more power and better gas mileage than the crv . Acura is more reliable than Subaru, gm, bmw, and Toyota. The crv feels more like a mini van for some reason. Ultimately you can't beat honda and acura for reliability.
I think Acura can build a crossover smaller than the RDX. It should be called the CDX and be based off the Honda HR-V. The engine can be a 2.4 Liter 4 cylinder Earth Dreams engine with the 8 speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with FWD or SH-AWD. The next-generation RDX needs a turbocharged 2.0 Liter direct injected 4 cylinder engine with available SH-AWD. It will make similar horsepower and torque figures as the V6 and improved fuel economy over the V6.
ya honda acura are just cheap, they make most profit on the civic so why worry about making other cars huge sellers....ugh so annoying ps the civic has the dumbest interior and gauges
They still are tech forward with their SH-AWD, PAWS and sport hybrid. Might not have the best nav tech, but their powertrain and drivetrain tech is killer and probably the best.
I saw it in the showroom. Blah. Grandpa car. Claims to have the best of the TSX and TL and in terms of styling they grandpa-ized the car. There was another TSX owner in the showroom with me, we both looked at the TLX, and asked if they had an outgoing TSX. Acura used to be cutting edge in styling, sporty, cool...and now I'd just assume get a Buick.
I love Acura's and Honda's. Cooley is awesome in keeping his opinions true, BUT I have seen the RDX and test driven and I can tell you the suspension/ride quality is not jarring like he suggests. Its very smooth over uneven pavement, the navigation could use an upgrade to that of MDX, RLX or TLX. The size is great, some other safety features are missing, but I like the styling of the RDX compared to the Lexus NX. The NX is just way too edgy to the point that it's not going to age well and looks like Toyota just slapped on IS front and rear to make the small SUV. The Lexus RX does not compete with the RDX so it has never been a competitor.
Good car but needs an update. I would like to see them tweak the front end specially the grille and add Jewel Eye LEDs and LED Tail lights. The interior also needs to be updated to that similar of the TLX.
I have been loyal to Acura since 1987 when I bought my first Integra with hidden headlights, and man, I thought I was the coolest dude on the road with that car and eventually moved on to the TSX. But, I am heart-broken to say, I've lost it for Acura with this newest generation of car. The last generation RDX was nicely sculpted and really stood out for its sculpted style. Now it looks like a soccer mom car, sorry soccer moms, just completely blah in its styling, engenders no excitement at all. The TLX, which is supposed to be the best of both worlds, TL and TSX, is hardly that. Both the TL and the TSX, last generation, engendered excitement, yes, in their styling. Now I'll leave the TLX for grandpa, sorry grandpa. It looks more like a new generation Accord or Camry. Sportiness, in general, has left the brand to become the blah brand. The ILX is the only car left in the Acura flagship with beautifully sculpted tail lights, though its front seems more Honda Civic, really Acura?! The ILX does not work for a man 6' or taller, particularly if you want passengers in the back seat, which will not be happening, and not enough arm rest room on the driver's side window to even lay your arm down on without it slipping off. The RDX, also, in its center console has some kind of weird crack in the middle which makes it look like they didn't finish designing the center console, it's just weird. I think those who were gonna go for the RDX will take a new look at the BMW X3 and TSX owners who've been left out in the cold, will look to the Lexus IS 250 for sporty luxury. I'm so disappointed in Acura. What have they done to the brand? Oh yeah, they made it blah. And by the way, the curlicues in the grill of the TLX, did they think that actually looked good. One last gripe the copy catting with the cheap metal strip on the back trunk likd of the RDX and MDX, tacky, cheap looking, and copying other car companies who think tacky and shiny and cheap is the new now.
yeah but RDX has turned from nicely sculpted and a stand out for a compact SUV in previous generation, now looks like blah soccer mom car even if they make other improvements. We'll have to wait 5 years for a new generation and by then hopefully Acura loses its current design team and goes back and gets some of the old ones. Becoming such a blah car company when they used bring excitement to the table consistently.
I did like this generation until the 2016 refresh. I still prefer the NX as that looked so much better than this. Acura isn't a "tech forward" and hasn't been since the introduction of the TL.
Why anyone would buy this over a Lexus NX, a BMW X3, or even an Audi Q5 is completely beyond me. Why would you spend that much money and not get a modern quality product? I think Honda has pretty much given up on the luxury segment and is focusing on their lower range cars, which have been pretty good in recent years.
I feel sorry for you my friend. My 2015 Rdx is also defective. Dealer bullied me and rejected me to their premises and Acura Customer relations do not care. Please check my videos. You should call your general attorneys office and complain on bbb if they keep playing drama with you.
Acura as a brand needs a complete overhaul. Start with the exterior first, get rid of that ugly grille. Interior trim material feels too cheap to be consider as a premium brand or even entry level premium, plastic everywhere. Then the infotainment unit is extremely outdated, navigation should be able to able to recognize entire address instead of line by line, the unit itself should also be upgradable like Lexus Inform, BMW iDrive, or Cadillac CUE with app support. Acura used to be good in the 2000's and 1990's but right now it's not even on my list of cars to consider.
the turbo I4 was not highly regarded at all. sure, it had nice power figures, but the mill was unrefined, was very peaky, inefficient, and one of the main reasons the first RDX wasn't nearly as successful as the X3 or RX, or even the Q5 which was introduced much later.
Bart Fox This is CNET Car Tech, they admit the focus on the tech of the car, not the driving dynamics and such. I wish I'd seen these reviews before buying my MDX, because the tech in it is rubbish. Drives nice though.
I am tired of Acura products. They are so far behind other brands even brands that are not luxury brands have nicer cars and more tech on them than this thing. I drove an Acrua in hs and I enjoyed it but the tech is about the same now as it was then.
The most truthful review of this vehicle that I've viewed so far. I agree with almost everything he said. I've owned a 2014 RDX, essentially the exact car he's reviewing, since March 2014.
I have a 2013 RDX and love it with 47k....mechanically sound, amazingly comfortable and very fuel efficient. I owned an IS250 before and it was nothing but problems, recalls, engine rebuilt at 30k, so disappointing! I was always a Honda fan and then changed it up, now back! Acura/Honda are the best!!
Boy you guys are tough on Acura. The big advantage to Acura's are that they stay on the road, not the shop. They run and do what they are supposed to. Maintenance will not kill you.
+Winston - Could be, I am thinking that the potential owners are thinking more about how durable and comfortable the vehicle is, more than the Star Trek electronics... When GM sold its highest numbers ever, they left the engine and drive trains alone, and concentrated on styling. Today it appears the engineers concentrate on Electronics rather than styling. Same idea different target.
I’m late, but cars can be reliable and have good tech. What’s the point of reviewing a car if you can’t address its shortcomings? Come on!
man, i love brian cooley
super glad cooley has been doing most of the reviews lately(:
Am I the only one who hit that like button before watching Cooley's video? lol
Lol...
I did the same.
Cooley is so good...
I feel bad for Antuan..
Yeeea that kid suck
This blows the crv away. You can get a 2015 acura with technology package with awd for 37k if you spend some time at the dealership haggling . I don't much care for the acura navigation . The acura has better seats , audio , power hatch, more options , more power and better gas mileage than the crv . Acura is more reliable than Subaru, gm, bmw, and Toyota. The crv feels more like a mini van for some reason. Ultimately you can't beat honda and acura for reliability.
Yay, Brian's back!!!
I think Acura can build a crossover smaller than the RDX. It should be called the CDX and be based off the Honda HR-V. The engine can be a 2.4 Liter 4 cylinder Earth Dreams engine with the 8 speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with FWD or SH-AWD. The next-generation RDX needs a turbocharged 2.0 Liter direct injected 4 cylinder engine with available SH-AWD. It will make similar horsepower and torque figures as the V6 and improved fuel economy over the V6.
“Our old from when Nixon was back in office” 😂😂
Can we stop calling Acura a tech forward brand already? We're going on a decade since that sentence was last credible.
Amen.
SO true, they and honda should have turbo inline motors, new technology and others, you can get a entry level car with more tech
Yes 100% with you. I hope there slogan "Advance" is just in general because They have no chance against Lexus in Luxury or technology
ya honda acura are just cheap, they make most profit on the civic so why worry about making other cars huge sellers....ugh so annoying ps the civic has the dumbest interior and gauges
They still are tech forward with their SH-AWD, PAWS and sport hybrid. Might not have the best nav tech, but their powertrain and drivetrain tech is killer and probably the best.
2015 Acura TLX V6 SH-AWD is the one I'm waiting for.
I saw it in the showroom. Blah. Grandpa car. Claims to have the best of the TSX and TL and in terms of styling they grandpa-ized the car. There was another TSX owner in the showroom with me, we both looked at the TLX, and asked if they had an outgoing TSX. Acura used to be cutting edge in styling, sporty, cool...and now I'd just assume get a Buick.
Honda dis a great job on the new RDX with the exception of the Sat Nav.
i was wating for this review from CNEt Cooley love this car
2:27 guy smoking in the background 😂
RS1120 thats my hero lol
I love Acura's and Honda's. Cooley is awesome in keeping his opinions true, BUT I have seen the RDX and test driven and I can tell you the suspension/ride quality is not jarring like he suggests. Its very smooth over uneven pavement, the navigation could use an upgrade to that of MDX, RLX or TLX.
The size is great, some other safety features are missing, but I like the styling of the RDX compared to the Lexus NX. The NX is just way too edgy to the point that it's not going to age well and looks like Toyota just slapped on IS front and rear to make the small SUV. The Lexus RX does not compete with the RDX so it has never been a competitor.
I think that it would look better if it had the jewel eye LED headlights. .
They were saving that for the refresh
2:37 TADA!!!!
The opening line though.
2015 Acura RDX my DREAM
Good car but needs an update. I would like to see them tweak the front end specially the grille and add Jewel Eye LEDs and LED Tail lights. The interior also needs to be updated to that similar of the TLX.
I have been loyal to Acura since 1987 when I bought my first Integra with hidden headlights, and man, I thought I was the coolest dude on the road with that car and eventually moved on to the TSX. But, I am heart-broken to say, I've lost it for Acura with this newest generation of car. The last generation RDX was nicely sculpted and really stood out for its sculpted style. Now it looks like a soccer mom car, sorry soccer moms, just completely blah in its styling, engenders no excitement at all. The TLX, which is supposed to be the best of both worlds, TL and TSX, is hardly that. Both the TL and the TSX, last generation, engendered excitement, yes, in their styling. Now I'll leave the TLX for grandpa, sorry grandpa. It looks more like a new generation Accord or Camry. Sportiness, in general, has left the brand to become the blah brand. The ILX is the only car left in the Acura flagship with beautifully sculpted tail lights, though its front seems more Honda Civic, really Acura?! The ILX does not work for a man 6' or taller, particularly if you want passengers in the back seat, which will not be happening, and not enough arm rest room on the driver's side window to even lay your arm down on without it slipping off. The RDX, also, in its center console has some kind of weird crack in the middle which makes it look like they didn't finish designing the center console, it's just weird. I think those who were gonna go for the RDX will take a new look at the BMW X3 and TSX owners who've been left out in the cold, will look to the Lexus IS 250 for sporty luxury. I'm so disappointed in Acura. What have they done to the brand? Oh yeah, they made it blah. And by the way, the curlicues in the grill of the TLX, did they think that actually looked good. One last gripe the copy catting with the cheap metal strip on the back trunk likd of the RDX and MDX, tacky, cheap looking, and copying other car companies who think tacky and shiny and cheap is the new now.
Looks oldschool.
Cooley is a freaking god!
I'm stuck between getting one of these or getting a 2013 Honda Crv. It's hard to choose.
AbsoluteMdot rdx
Very good car all around. Not amazing but not bad. But the infotainment system is a deal breaker. Maybe the 2016 model will improve on that.
yeah but RDX has turned from nicely sculpted and a stand out for a compact SUV in previous generation, now looks like blah soccer mom car even if they make other improvements. We'll have to wait 5 years for a new generation and by then hopefully Acura loses its current design team and goes back and gets some of the old ones. Becoming such a blah car company when they used bring excitement to the table consistently.
This review made me hungry
This head unit was outdated 7 years ago
Eric P so were you
I did like this generation until the 2016 refresh. I still prefer the NX as that looked so much better than this. Acura isn't a "tech forward" and hasn't been since the introduction of the TL.
This is the 2015 model?! 4 years too late.
Why anyone would buy this over a Lexus NX, a BMW X3, or even an Audi Q5 is completely beyond me. Why would you spend that much money and not get a modern quality product? I think Honda has pretty much given up on the luxury segment and is focusing on their lower range cars, which have been pretty good in recent years.
i clicked this thinking it was a saabkyle04 video...
It a car for driving !!
The less technology the better for me.
It's got the crappy nav because it's entry level Acura. I know you know, I'm just saying.
Acura I love you and all but let's face it rdx needs a refresh asap
I feel sorry for you my friend. My 2015 Rdx is also defective. Dealer bullied me and rejected me to their premises and Acura Customer relations do not care. Please check my videos. You should call your general attorneys office and complain on bbb if they keep playing drama with you.
Looks like they took this nag/info system from the 2010 tl...
Justin sh I think it is the exact same, I know a lady with that car, and she told me it's pretty much the same rotary wheel
Acura as a brand needs a complete overhaul. Start with the exterior first, get rid of that ugly grille. Interior trim material feels too cheap to be consider as a premium brand or even entry level premium, plastic everywhere. Then the infotainment unit is extremely outdated, navigation should be able to able to recognize entire address instead of line by line, the unit itself should also be upgradable like Lexus Inform, BMW iDrive, or Cadillac CUE with app support. Acura used to be good in the 2000's and 1990's but right now it's not even on my list of cars to consider.
the turbo I4 was not highly regarded at all. sure, it had nice power figures, but the mill was unrefined, was very peaky, inefficient, and one of the main reasons the first RDX wasn't nearly as successful as the X3 or RX, or even the Q5 which was introduced much later.
I miss him reviewing cars it’s not the same
All this guy does is make cars look bad and focus on the cons then barely touch on the good things...
I've never used GPS systems in any car. Google or Siri.
Shit, half of the review focused on the radio. This guy is a big cry-baby! please stay away from reviewing vehicles, C-Net. It's not your forte.
Bart Fox This is CNET Car Tech, they admit the focus on the tech of the car, not the driving dynamics and such. I wish I'd seen these reviews before buying my MDX, because the tech in it is rubbish. Drives nice though.
Save money, get a CR-V. You're not losing much for a basically similar vehicle. RDX lost it's edge when SH-AWD went away.
Ford SYNC does that song by name crap, and faster at that.
Agree on navi it is terrible
looks like a mdx
Colin Tran This is to an MDX what a Tahoe is to a suburban
I am tired of Acura products. They are so far behind other brands even brands that are not luxury brands have nicer cars and more tech on them than this thing. I drove an Acrua in hs and I enjoyed it but the tech is about the same now as it was then.
lidsman22 did anybody ask? no
@@loganknupp9034 Nope no one did. You are right.
Hate the cat
1st
An overpriced CR-V.
Tou Yang I would typically agree, however you have a little more luxury and a different drive train/power train option