2015 Acura RDX
New for 2015
Chiseled, crisp, taut: all good words to describe the 2015 Acura RDX. Imagine a sheet pulled taut over a metal frame and you'll get the picture: this premium compact crossover seems composed of lines, angles and edges.
Unchanged from 2014, the 2015 RDX is produced in East Liberty, Ohio and comes with a 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty.** Drivers who like their styling sharp and technology plentiful will not be disappointed.
Powertrains and performance
A 3.5-liter V6 puts 273 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Sequential SportShift paddle shifters let the sporting driver time gearshifts to perfection, but not at the cost of fuel consumption. Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®) shuts down cylinders depending on load, delivering fuel economy EPA-estimated at 20/28 City/ Highway mpg.* Springing for all wheel-drive drops those numbers by one.*
On a good road, the AWD system sends 100 percent of torque forwards. Get busy with the gas pedal and 25 percent goes to the rear wheels. Encounter a slippery surface and that increases to as much as 50 percent.
Exterior design
Riding on 18-inch alloys, broad flat bands around the wheel wells emphasize the planted stance. A crease as sharp as a razor runs through the door handles and chrome trim edges the windows. Thin, angled headlamps bracket the five-sided grille that's topped with a bright band and the draftsman's dividers logo and a sculpted hood directs air around the sides for improved aerodynamics.
Move to the rear and a roof-mounted spoiler minimizes turbulence over the liftgate while a thin chrome strip above the license plate links the light clusters. The RDX is bold and confident without being overtly aggressive.
Features and trims
Well-bolstered leather seats in parchment or ebony and a leather-wrapped steering wheel soften the techno-centric cabin design. A brushed metallic strip spans the dashboard, interrupted by a center panel featuring a five-inch display screen plus climate and audio controls. A separate center console between the front seats holds the shift knob.
Front seats are heated and the driver's comes with eight-way power adjustment and two memory settings: the front passenger gets four-way power adjustment. A wide and flat rear seat accommodates three adults comfortably, behind which there's 26.1 cubic feet for cargo. Folding the seat down opens up almost 77 cubes.
Standard equipment includes a power sunroof, keyless access with pushbutton start, Active Noise Control, and a rearview camera. Audio entertainment comes from a seven-speaker Acura Premium Sound System with 360-watts of power and speed volume control.
Package options
Only one package is offered for the RDX and that's Technology. This adds front foglights, a power-actuated rear tailgate, and navigation, plus uprated climate control and audio. Gaining GPS-linkage and solar-sensing capability, the climate control system compliments the heat from the sun, rather than adding to it and frying those on one side. Completing the luxury experience, an Acura/ELS Surround® Premium audio system puts 410-watts through 10-speakers.
Bottom Line
Swift, nimble, and with style to spare - not to mention a forgiving MSRP starting $34,895** plus destination and handling charge - the 2015 Acura RDX serves as an excellent choice for consumers wanting a luxury SUV without the questionable reliability and sticker shock normally associated with one. Toss in Acura's stellar repuation for quality and you have the prime candiate for your next set of wheels.
*Based on 2015 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery pack age/condition (hybrid only) and other factors.
**Ordinary maintenance items or adjustments, parts subject to normal wear and replacement, and certain other items are excluded.
***Prices shown are Acura suggested retail prices only and do not include taxes, license or an $895 destination and handling charge. Acura vehicle accessory costs, labor and installation vary. Dealers set their own prices. Please consult your selected dealer.
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