All-new 2019 Acura RDX arrives at Burrard Acura

New 2019 RDX priced from just $43,990

The outgoing Acura RDX enjoyed a very long and successful run, but the all-new model elevates the luxury brand to an entirely new level. Larger, roomier, faster, more efficient, higher tech, more luxurious, more refined and better looking, the 2019 Acura RDX hits the road this week at just $43,990 plus freight and fees.

"The 2019 Acura RDX is a pure expression of Precision Crafted Performance. This is a development philosophy that puts the driver at the centre of it all," said Emile Korkor, Brand Leader, Acura Canada. "Our goal from the beginning has been to deliver a perfect balance of engineering, performance, design and luxury to create a truly uncompromising and joyful experience."

Acura brings the 2019 RDX to the Canadian market with five trim levels, including a base model, the $46,490 Technology, $49,990 Elite, $50,290 A-Spec, and finally the top-line $54,990 Platinum Elite.

New RDX delivers most powerful base engine in its class

No matter the trim, the new 2019 RDX relieves the old 3.5-litre V6 in place of a much more efficient 16-valve, DOHC turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with direction injection and, of course, VTEC. Output is rated at 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, the latter number 28 lb-ft stronger than the old V6. The end result sees the new 2019 RDX with the highest base horsepower and torque rating in the compact luxury SUV class.

The RDX performance advantage is partially due to a low-inertia mono-scroll turbocharger that promotes a wider, fatter torque curve resulting in 40 percent more low-end torque than the outgoing engine, while dual variable timing cams do their part as well.

Connecting the new engine to the standard torque-vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system is an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission with performance-enhancing Grade Logic Control. The new transmission uses Acura's unique pushbutton gear selector, which is now more fully integrated within the centre console than ever before. Shifting is automatic, or for a more hands-on experience you can shift its gears manually via standard steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Also standard, Acura's Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) lets you to choose between Snow, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes to enhance electric power steering feel and Drive-by-Wire throttle response.

Improved efficiency yet even more enjoyable to drive

With a smaller displacement engine and four more forward gears it only makes sense that emissions and fuel economy have made gains too, the latter rated at 11.0 L/100km in the city, 8.6 on the highway and 9.9 combined for all trims but the A-Spec that gets an estimate of 11.3, 9.1 and 10.3 respectively, these numbers comparing favourably against last year's claimed fuel economy rating of 12.4 city, 8.7 highway and 10.7 combined.

The new drivetrain's efficiency improvements are further aided by a new idle stop-start system that automatically shuts the engine down when it would otherwise be idling and then immediately restarts it when ready to go.

Standard with 19-inch alloy wheels and available with 20-inch alloys as part of the sportiest A-Spec package just noted, the new 2019 RDX rides on a totally new Acura-exclusive platform architecture featuring electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, a fully independent MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension system with 30 mm front and 23 mm rear stabilizer bars. Additionally, the top-line Platinum Elite model receives an Active Damper System to further enhance performance and comfort.

Larger and more accommodating for greater comfort and cargo capacity

As noted, the new RDX is longer, wider and taller than the model it replaces, its dimensions measuring 4,744 mm in length, with a 2,750-mm wheelbase, 1,900 mm in width, with 1,631- and 1,643-mm front and rear tracks, and 1,668 mm in height.

This makes the 2019 model 78 mm longer than the outgoing RDX, with a 65-mm gain in wheelbase that should make a big difference to rear seat roominess, while it's also 46 mm wider for added shoulder and hip space, not to mention a wider track for improved handling, whereas it's only 31 mm taller, improving headroom yet not upsetting manoeuvrability by increasing the centre of gravity. Despite the new SUV's increased size it's only gained 86 kilos of curb weight, so the aforementioned performance gains should still be easy to feel.

More importantly the 2019 RDX' increase in size makes for a more comfortable, more useful utility, with maximum cargo volume behind its 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks growing by 142 litres to 881 litres, while the new model offers 82 additional litres of luggage space when the second-row is folded flat, at 2,260 litres.

More luxury, a higher level of refinement and improved technologies

That cabin is not only roomier and more comfortable, it's also been upgraded with higher quality premium finishings, with more high-grade soft-touch synthetics, particularly on the instrument panel, doors and centre console, plus hand-wrapped, stitched leather surfaces as well as real open-pore Olive Ash hardwood or genuine brushed aluminum inlays, depending on trim levels.

Critical to the acceptance of any new vehicle are digital interfaces, the new RDX anteing up with a large standard 10.2-inch display featuring a new Android-based operating system, Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity (Android Auto will be introduced later), Siri Eyes Free, SMS text message and email functionality, 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability, Wi-Fi tethering, AcuraLink Subscription Services, HD and satellite radio, Bluetooth streaming audio, device connectivity via two front USB charging ports (plus two optional USB ports in the rear), AM/FM/MP3/WMA audio with nine speakers including a subwoofer, and more. Additionally, a new lower console-mounted Acura True Touchpad Interface promises to be a very easy and intuitive way to navigate through the infotainment system.

Standard convenience, luxury and safety features are second to none

Along with the impressive load of standard equipment already mentioned, the base RDX continues Acura's value theme by including standard full low and high beam LED "Jewel Eye" auto-on/off headlights with automatic high beam control, plus LED daytime running lights, LED brake lights and LED taillights, while additional standard highlights include a remote engine starter, proximity keyless access, pushbutton ignition, an acoustic windshield, active noise control, ambient lighting, a 7.0-inch colour TFT multi-information display within the primary gauge cluster, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, dual-zone automatic climate control, a HomeLink garage door opener, a multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, side mirrors with driver recognition, reverse gear tilt-down and integrated LED turn indicators, a standard auto-dimming rearview mirror, 12-way powered front seats including powered lumbar support and four-way adjustable headrests, two-position memory for the driver's seat and side mirrors, a large panoramic moonroof, a powered tailgate, a capless fueling system, and more.

Also standard is an extensive suite of active and passive safety features including Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, and Lane Keeping Assist, while all the usual active and passive safety equipment are joined by front knee airbags, hill start assist and tire pressure monitoring.

Plenty of desirable trims increase options

Opting for Tech trim means that your RDX will receive yet more safety features including Blind Spot Information with a Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, and traffic sign recognition, while Tech trim also includes front and rear parking sensors, navigation, voice recognition, and a 12-speaker ELS Studio audio upgrade with the rear USB ports noted earlier.

Upgrading to A-Spec trim includes the aforementioned styling and performance improvements as well as LED fog lights, power-folding side mirrors, a heatable steering wheel, metal sport pedals, unique Alcantara and leather-trimmed upholstery with contrast stitching and seat piping, ventilated front seats, and a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system.

The move up to Elite trim means a step back to the 12-speaker audio system and the removal of ventilated front seats and LED fog lamps, but it adds headlamp washers, auto-dimming side mirrors, perimeter/approach puddle lights, perforated leather upholstery, and heated rear outboard seats.

Lastly, Platinum Elite trim adds back the LED fog lamps, ventilated front seats and 16-speaker 3D stereo, while also including adaptive cornering headlights, a colour head-up display that projects key information onto the windshield ahead of the driver, a surround view parking monitor, a rear camera washer, 16-way powered front seats including lumbar support, thigh extensions and side bolsters, the genuine Olive Ash hardwood trim mentioned earlier, complete with contrast stitching and seat piping, and metallic cargo area garnishes.

Attractive new styling sure to turn heads

The 2019 RDX is the first model to fully incorporate the Acura Precision Concept design language. We've seen the new grille gracing the front of the larger MDX luxury SUV, the TLX sport sedan, and the brand's flagship RLX luxury sedan, but these were dramatic mid-cycle updates, not wholesale redesigns.

The Diamond Pentagon grille appears identical in shape if not size to those already in use by the TLX and RLX, both of which were slightly bolder and more pronounced than the MDX variant, but the lower front fascia of the prototype pulls cues from Acura's larger SUV, particularly the pointed body-colour strike-through found hovering above each corner vent. They're much larger and point in the opposite direction, while these, along with the horizontal row of LED fog lamps just below, flow more naturally into the centre portion of the fascia. Overall, the new RDX lower fascia design works well, particularly how it wraps around the sides of the bumper.