Congratulations on your purchase of a brand new MDX:29:

The RDX is not for everyone but it'll still have it's fair share of the market... much more than the X3

I have a 2011 w/ tech package. I don't have bad creases on the driver's seat but there seem to have some noticeable creasing along the side stitching of the driver's seat where pressure is more directed. I find it aesthetically acceptable.

 

Venting is good!!! After having my 05 Subaru WRX and driving my buddies Audi 4 I don't think I can ever drive a turbo again. They ALL feel thrown together. I haven't had a chance to drive a RDX yet but for the sporty designation they put on it I sure spanked a few at the local light to light "no officer I was not racing!" moments. I have a 2004 with 132,000 on it. It's a magic moment when my Autistic son waves and says "bye- bye" as we pull away! I say in one at the dealer and being 6'1" and 260 the seating for my fat A wasn't firm, it was like wearing a correct fitting "Speedo" swimsuit! (sorry for that mental picture fellas) But most of the buyers for that car are young couples and middle aged women. So they have the right size people in it. I tend to see the younger guys who forgot they're driving there wife's baby getter at the light. Is it suppose to be the competition for the Rav-4 / Escape?

 

Is it suppose to be the competition for the Rav-4 / Escape?

The CRV is direct competition to the RAV-4/Escape. However, mostly younger women were/are buying it. It doesn't have a lot of appeal to males. The released the Element to appeal to the males. It never caught on that well and was cancelled in 2011.

The RDX was targeted toward the young professional male who had to have the latest technology (per Acura marketing). They chose a 4 cyl turbo over a V6 for better vehicle weight balance. I suspect it was also because the 4 cyl would do better in easy epa mpg tests where the turbo wold not kick in and there would be some market in turbo tuning mods. The result however was a vehicle that handles very well, gets horrendous real world mpg, and a V6 RAV4 will leave it in the dust. Thus the new V6 (although SH-AWD is gone).

The RDX does offer an entry level vehicle to attempt to lock customers into the Acura brand and then retain them when it is time to move up in size to an MDX.

 

Waiting to get behind the wheel of the new RDX. I live the V6 and the new RDX looks so much better.

 

Did you ever wonder who or what this Acura Marketing is that makes some of these decisions?

 

No, every company has a marketing dept, but I wonder why they seem to make such illogical decisions.......although I am speaking from the point of the engineer who has to implement poor marketing choices, realizing I will probably get blamed for it later when it is shown as a poor choice......

 

I just don't get why they haven't made a Larger X vehicle to compete with the Lexus/ Infiniti size class. They are losing MDX owners who need real 7 seat capacity. At least create a Honda Odyssey Acura vehicle. I know it's pretty much the same platform but life after MDX is nothing Acura. That's gotta hurt!

 

Acura can't power a vehicle larger than an X - No V8. Try test driving a new Pilot to see what an underpowered V6 feels like in a larger vehicle. An Acura Ody is possible, but no one will pay luxury vehicle bucks for a minivan that is going to be trashed by kids. There is no luxury make with a mini-van currently. It would have to cost more than an Ody touring elite, which is $45K. Would you pay $55K for a minivan without AWD? Most will just go for a luxury SUV at that price point. They were developing a V8, then the economy crashed and the bottom fell out of the new car market and it was cancelled.

 

I'm on the Lexus website, no comp for the LX aka Toyota Land Cruiser. Infiniti website, no comp for the QX56 aka Nissan Armada. These are all (like you said and I've complained before....V8's) and real true blue LARGE SUV's. Do they not sell enough units worldwide to warrant a larger platform development and engine addition? I think I know a little about cars, I won't claim to know about market share and finance. I'd just like to know why Honda is so huge but has such a small line up compared to Toyota and Nissan.

 

It is also about Corporate Average Fuel Economy. Honda likes to advertise it has the highest CAFE rating, a V8 would bring that down. Auto manufacturers also get fined for not meeting the latest CAFE requirements. However, Toyota's rating is very close to Honda and they achieve it with a V8 offering as well as larger vehicles.

 

does anyone know if the mdx can display instant fuel mileage? or should i post in the main forum?

 

Yes it can. At least my 2012 can.

 

I'm not a fan of Toyota/ Lexusi (except for the new supercar.....I could rock that) but Honda needs to get on the 8 wagon. The ZDX could be killer with one, Pilot/Ridgeline/MDX could be taken serious with one, and they need at least one bigger vehicle on the Acura lineup to put Infiniti/ Lexus to bed. In my neighborhood I can't drive a half block without seeing a Odyssey/ Pilot/ MDX! Let's ya know we're people put their faith in for vehicle....Honda! I think they can be a little risky and make a V8.

 

I have a 2004 MDX and just purchased a 2012 RDX. No need for 7 seats anymore. MDX is driven by kids now. Don't knock the RDX. It is 15k cheaper than an MDX and has performance, luxury, styling, and technology that is hard to touch by any other comparable vehicle. Its a small SUV and AWD. You cannot compare it to an Audi sedan or any other SUV costing much more.