2015 Acura RDX

The 2015 Acura RDX is the same as the predecessor. The interiors are good to be in and spacious enough to seat big occupants as well. For an MSRP of $35,095, it offers stiff competition to the BMW X3, Audi Q5, and the Volvo XC60. Though the rivals are strong at times, Acura does things well when it comes to performance.

The 2015 Acura RDX comes as a standalone trim which itself is plentifully equipped. The vehicle is offered with a standard FWD configuration at $35,095 and an AWD configuration at $36,495. One shall choose the two explicit packages. With the leather upholstery coming standard along with sufficient features like the heated sport bucket seats, keyless ignition, and entry, the single base trim makes sense for the price. 

The base trim with Technology Package would cost you $38,795 and adds xenon headlights, fog lights, a power liftgate, a navigation system, GPS-linked and solar-sensing automatic climate control, a larger infotainment display and a 10-speaker Acura/ELS surround-sound audio system.

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Being a standalone trim, the buyers can only get the base trim of the Acura RDX. However, one shall choose the AWD version of the trim for getting an overall better performance at an affordable price. The Technology package is surely a worthy consideration to get exposed to a wide range of features.

The 2015 Acura RDX comes with a big 3.5L V6 motor that churns out 273 horses and 251 lb-ft of torque and is paired with a standard 6-speed automatic transmission that powers the front wheels as standard. One shall opt for an AWD version of the same at a very small price hike. The engine packs a good amount of power to make your drives athletic and engaging. However, it isn’t sporty or race-material. However, the punchy character of the motor is compelling and tempting. The motor also comes with cylinder deactivation tech to close cylinders in pairs so that it can save fuel.

With the torquey motor, the 2015 Acura RDX sprints to 60 MPH within 6.2 seconds, which is class-apart. The consistent performance is maintained even in the quarter-mile race, getting the work done in 14.8 seconds. The impressive performance is complemented with sleek handling and engaging driving dynamics. The vehicle handles rough roads well thanks to the two-stage dampers that make it composed on turns and take up the abruptions on the roads. The steering feels very light at lower speeds but weighs up at higher speeds.

The Acura RDX packs the best-in-class power and the acceleration figures are good but stand slightly behind the X3’s. The acceleration goes consistent with the RDX that gives a good quarter-mile timing as well. The rivals come equipped with 8-speed automatics while the Acura sports the old-school 6-speed automatic transmission that still manages the power well. 

The high-performance engine of the 2015 Acura RDX surely demands more fuel. The V6 is thirstier than the rivals and offers 20 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on highways. A combined 22 mpg is somewhat ok in the segment. Acura cars have always been known for efficient engines, but the RDX lacks that character in the 2015 avatar. In the all-wheel-drive configuration, the figures go down slightly to 19 MPG in the city, 27 MPG on highways, and 22 MPG combined.

With a 16-gallon fuel tank, the Acura RDX offers decent range figures, though not as good as the rivals. The powerful characteristics shall be an excuse and a reason to compromise the efficiency figures here. You’ll have to have frequent stops at the gas station, which shall be impactful especially on longer trips.

The Volvo XC60 stands the best in terms of efficiency figures, while RDX lags. The sporty FWD V6 is a thirstier combination than the rest of the rivals but the RDX also gets a smaller fuel tank which affects the range. The Volvo XC60 gets the largest tank volume, which makes it have the best range, and needs fewer stops at the gas station.

The 2015 Acura RDX has a well-laid interior with a beautiful layout and spacious seats. The calm and elegant craftsmanship is the signature of Acura and Honda cars, which improves the overall mood inside the cabin. The surfaces are smooth to touch and reflect quality. The intuitive and ergonomic placement of controls is notably good and appraised. The design is practical and utilitarian, which makes it a perfect family car. As standard, you get leather upholstery, sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated power front seats and a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. 

The driver seat gets 10-way power adjustability, while the passenger gets 4-way. You also get central armrests and cup holders also. The rear seats are amply spacious and can seat 3 people without congestion. The rear seats are also 60/40 split foldable, which can improve the cargo capacity from 26.1 ft3 to 61.3 ft3. The cabin is insulated well from ambient road-noise, making it a quiet and comfortable vehicle to drive on.

The 2015 Acura RDX is competitively spacious for its class and offers significantly greater leg- and shoulder room both in the front and rear rows. However, it sits at the bottom in terms of cargo capacity when compared with its rivals. That said, the interior is super comfortable and posh and to solidify that claim, some standout interior features are:

• Dual-zone Climate Control
• Heated steering wheel
• 10-way power driver seat
• 4-way power passenger seat
• Leather upholstery
• Heating functions on seats

How intuitive is the 2015 Acura RDX’s infotainment unit?

The 2015 Acura RDX offers a 5-inch infotainment system. The system is of good quality and has a good number of features within. However, the system is not very easy or smooth to live with. It is unintuitive and a bit confusing, making it difficult to use while driving. 

The system is coupled with a 7-speaker sound system as standard but can be upgraded to 10-speaker Acura/ELS surround-sound audio system, including a subwoofer, a 3-month access to satellite radio service is also another feel-good offer from the Japanese maker. The system has speed-sensitive volume control, which ensures that you drive safe and alert. Acura RDX isn’t as rich as the rivals in terms of features or technology onboard. That said, some of the standout infotainment features are:

• 5-inch infotainment system
• 3 Months Satellite Radio Service
• 10-speaker Acura/ELS surround-sound audio system
• USB Connectivity

The 2015 Acura RDX has evolved from what it was years ago and the new version seems to be popular among the general population due to the mature looks of the car. It is not fancy with too much on the bumper, grille or hood however the sleek and minimalistic design has attracted many buyers to it. The design isn’t very attractive or sporty as a BMW, but is practical and suits daily commutes.

The well-proportioned car gets smooth lines all around it, which gives the 2015 RDX more of an aggressive SUV look. The Jewel-eyed LED headlights and the elegant grille give a better impression from the exterior. It is bigger and taller with the demanded proportions. The 18-inch Aluminum wheels do seem attractive from the side profile.

The RDX is the longest in the segment and the lightest too but it gets less ground clearance. While the BMW and Audi sit on large wheelbases, dimensionally they are also the largest of the bunch which translates to improved cabin and cargo space. But that said, the Acura does manage to carve out a very impressive interior space and look very subtle while at it. Some standout exterior features include:

• Xenon Headlights
• Powered and Heated Mirrors
• LED Fog Lamps
• Power liftgate
• Rear privacy glass
• 18-inch Aluminum wheels

Being an Acura, 2015 RDX gets appreciably good safety scores. With a whole lot of things to talk about on the safety side, Acura ensures that the buyers and occupants are safe inside their cars. It received a perfect score of 5 stars overall from NHTSA and “Good’ ratings from the IIHS. Advanced safety and driver-assistance features are missing in the RDX. Some standout safety features that make the RDX safe are:

• Electronic Stability Control
• Traction Control
• Rearview camera

The 2015 Acura RDX is an affordable and well-equipped package that balances performance and equipment without compromising practicality. The well-laid cabin and ride quality catches every mind. The bold exterior styling, enthralling performance specs, and impressive safety features make it a compelling choice in the segment. The 2015 RDX would be a perfect fit for those who require a versatile and luxurious vehicle and not an off-road companion.