Full review at link:All in all, there's little to fault in the redesigned 2013 Acura RDX. It matches the feel of pricier European competitors while offering simpler day-to-day ease of use and comfortably undercutting their price tags. A few competitors have more total cargo space or a cushier ride, but the RDX is a clear leader among five-seat premium SUVs.
Full review at link:All in all, there's little to fault in the redesigned 2013 Acura RDX. It matches the feel of pricier European competitors while offering simpler day-to-day ease of use and comfortably undercutting their price tags. A few competitors have more total cargo space or a cushier ride, but the RDX is a clear leader among five-seat premium SUVs.
2 different markets, even when they are compared. A lot of buyers compare RDX, X3, etc. but the X3 in the end is far more expensive when equipped with the same equipment everyone "must have" that is standard on the Acura, and as I hear daily "they include my maintenance free...the lease deal wasn't bad...". They are more expensive, period, and BMW is BMW.I am not your average customer, hence the assertion that this vehicle will sell very well and appeal to the majority.
The Acura sells on price, its certainly not as compelling as the X3 to many and it would sell worse were it to cost as much as the X3. I could see the Audi being cross shopped, but the X3 especially in 35i guise is simply far above the RDX.
BMW moves 50% of its volume based on attractive and incentivized lease specials, and it makes far more expensive BMW products like the X3 only marginally more expensive per month than vehicles that are priced far less. Acura is going the way of Infiniti right now and producing vehicles that are far divergent from their sporty brand values to chase volume which is much needed. Their volume products have begun to slide and I think that the RDX and JX although not vehicles that interest me will be vehicles that move appreciable volume. I also think that this RDX is closer to the CRV in many ways than the last RDX which in no way reminds one of a CRV. Perhaps that is not a bad thing as Honda has a captive audience with previous CRV and current CRV owners.2 different markets, even when they are compared. A lot of buyers compare RDX, X3, etc. but the X3 in the end is far more expensive when equipped with the same equipment everyone "must have" that is standard on the Acura, and as I hear daily "they include my maintenance free...the lease deal wasn't bad...". They are more expensive, period, and BMW is BMW.
But then I also just had someone trade a 2011 BMW 328Xi sedan with...124 miles...for a new base TL lease. Many reasons. We see it all.
Acura owners are more repeat than most, and sing praises of quality, lack of maintenance needed, love the drive, etc. "I've had so many of them".
They need to step out further, I agree, on product wow and marketing as anymore there just is no marketing aside from the Superbowl NSX blitz, but new products are coming and doing so quickly. MDX is being built in mass numbers right now for it's last model year of the current design, then new at the end of the year...but it's an example of a product that can be 6 years young and still no other competitor can hit all of its main hard points. The TL is similar, it had a brief lapse due to the '09-11 styling but it's a terrific car to drive, and with room/power/features/quality you have to step up thousands for in other brands.
The RDX right now is selling out as soon as they arrive, and again now to a whole new market. Past Acura owners but also newcomers attracted by the refinement, mpg's, and value. As more are built and special leases, etc. roll out, it should do extremely well.