Yahoo Autos 2022 Acura RDX First Drive | RDX redux gives us what we want
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Acura’s most recent totally new models — the TLX and MDX — thwacked us upside the head with authority to let us know that Acura as a luxury and performance brand is well and truly back in great form. The redesigned RDX tried to do the same back in 2019, and while it was an above-average overhaul effort, it didn’t move us as strongly as the TLX and MDX have since.
Now, the 2022 Acura RDX is here, and it’s packing a bunch of improvements to try and both enhance the driving experience and ensure that it isn’t playing second fiddle to other Acura products in tech or luxury. The one omission, and it’s a big one, is the continued lack of a Type S variant. Both the TLX and MDX offer a high-performance Type S version with turbocharged V6 engines, and the RDX continues to go without such a model in 2022. It’s a shame, because the RDX’s smaller size means it could serve as a quality platform for a performance crossover to compete against others like the BMW X3 M40i, Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 and Audi SQ5.
That’s not to say that Acura has neglected the driving experience for 2022. The one performance improvement comes in the form of re-tuned adaptive dampers on the Advance trim that are both stiffer in Sport mode and softer in Comfort mode. Plus, the cabin is much quieter than it was before thanks to additional sound deadening material and an enhanced Active Sound Control system. Acura says the standard car offers a 20% NVH improvement, while the Advance Package cars have even more sound deadening to deliver a 30% improvement over the 2021 model.
You’ll be able to tell the updated RDX apart from the pre-refresh version by looking at the new grille pattern and thinner chrome grille surround. Look further downward, and you’ll notice larger side intakes and a new fog light design. It’s harder to tell that anything is new from the back, but look closely, and you’ll see a redone lower bumper and rectangular exhaust outlets on every model but the A-Spec — that hangs on to its round dual exhaust tips. A couple of new wheel designs round out the exterior updates, while the interior sees a new bronze-like finish for the aluminum trim in lower trims.
Perhaps one of the most vital changes Acura made to the RDX this year is done on the equipment side, as it fixes one of the gripes we’ve had with Acuras over the past couple years. You can finally equip the Advance Package onto A-Spec trim cars. That’s vital, because Acura has long made its adaptive dampers exclusive to Advance Package cars, meaning that the sportiest-looking A-Spec trim vehicles could never be equipped with the best suspension parts. That’s still the case on the TLX, but now we have hope that Acura will remedy this wrong for its sedan, just like it’s done with the RDX.
Some of the in-car tech we’ve gotten used to in other new Acuras joins the RDX this year. That means it’s now rocking wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, Amazon Alexa voice services, USB-C charging ports, wireless phone charging, customizable ambient lighting (27 different themes), power-folding mirrors and expanded range on the remote engine start function up to a quarter of a mile. The frustrating lack of a digital speedometer readout in the 7-inch digital instrument cluster is also fixed, as you can now choose to view a big speedo in that area.
All of the above made for welcome additions in our drive through Los Angeles and some of the neighboring canyon roads. Upon setting out, we immediately noticed — or more accurately, didn’t notice — the cabin noise. Our test car was an A-Spec Advance Package model with the highest amount of sound deadening available, and the level of road and engine noise is clearly reduced versus the old RDX. Acura’s typically growly and grumbly 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder faded further into the background, and tire roar was at a perfectly acceptable level for highway cruising. The newly softened dampers — Acura says it’s the same damper as before, but with new zeroes and ones telling them what to do — made for a plush but planted ride over poor roads. It’s difficult to come to a final verdict on how this compares to the pre-refresh ride without driving the crossover on familiar roads, though.
