2014 Acura RDX, reliable daily runabout: Motoramic Family Drives

After 18 years as an editor at Road & Track, Patrick Hong’s trying a different tack in reviewing cars — letting his whole family weigh in:

Whenever the discussion comes up to consider a new family car, we—or shall I say I—often dream of a speedy, road-carving people hauler. But speaking to the rest of my family, in particular my wife Elise (though also a fervent fan of performance), they would bring me down to earth and ask the important questions to separate the dream from reality: Will the new car have room to handle our ten- and eight-year old sons’ ever increasing sports gear during the week, plus chairs and sun shade on weekends? Of course, the boys would then chime in to make sure all the latest technology is available for their music and movie-watching needs.

What we really need, therefore, is a comfortable and roomy car to carry out our daily routine with minimal fuss. And that’s what we found in the 2014 Acura RDX AWD.

The Acura RDX certainly is no high-powered, sleek sports car nor sport ute; however, it is a step up from a mere box on wheels to shuttle your family around town. After going through a revamp in 2013, maturing from its sportier turbocharged predecessor, it is now a roomier and better-looking car addressing the needs of this crossover family utility segment. Elise comments: “I am able to make a seamless transition from our current car [2003 Mazda MPV] to this one. Definitely feels like I can drive the RDX off the dealer lot and into our garage.”