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3RD GEN 2020 Acura RDX A-spec SH-AWD

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
The all new designed RDX looks great! Right now, I'm deciding between the RDX and the Passport and I'm leaning towards the RDX, especially in the A-spec trim where the chrome is all blacked out. (sexy) Passport does have the interior space advantage and the V-6.
What are your opinons on the new RDX and what would you pick?
 
#2 ·
Depends on how much room you need. I really liked the A-Spec RDX when we were looking but it was too small (rear seat) so it was off the list.
 
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#3 ·
I also thought for a minute about the RDX. However, I had been obsessing over The Passport since the renderings were released in what, December? I really liked the sport-er look of The Passport. Not that I will ever take it off roading!
 
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#4 ·
I was about to purchase a 2019 RDX. But at the last minute, literally, my wife and I looked at a Passport and went on a test drive... then left the Honda dealership and drove straight to the Acura dealer. We decided right then and there that the RDX was just a bit too "tight" feeling and didn't have quite enough cargo space for our comfort.
 
#5 ·
I also really looked at the RDX and test drove it a long time, but I couldn’t get past the shape of the shifter and it felt to finicky (like u had to baby it) and clearly the PP just hit on all the cylinders for me (like 6 ?) so it was an easy choice.
 
#6 ·
I was considering the Acura options. RDX seemed a little too small for me. I really liked the front end though, but the back doesn't do it for me. Ultimately I liked the looks of the Passport, size, and engine more then the RDX. Better price too.
 
#8 ·
stevenD said:
This may sound funny, but I was tired of luxury cars, luxury pricing, luxury dealerships and paying for Premium gas for the last 16 years, so I was looking to simplify and the Passport had all the luxury I needed...
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I don't really consider the Acura to be a true "Luxury" car -- at least not compared to other luxury brands. I see it more as a "Premium Honda" vehicle.
 
#11 ·
To the OP... I'm not sure what has been fixed or changed in the 2020 RDX but here are some of my reasons for buying the Passport instead of the 2019 RDX:

I much prefer a Touch Screen over the Touch Pad in the RDX.
No Android Auto in RDX.
Much larger cargo area in Passport.
Premium fuel recommended in RDX, Regular gas for Passport.
V6 engine in Passport.
Passport comes with a spare tire and it's inside the car. The RDX only gets a spare tire if you buy AWD and it's underneath the car.
Better back-up camera picture quality in Passport, RDX camera looked blurry in comparison (at least in the Advance model RDX).
Better visibility out of the side and rear windows in Passport, harder to see out of the RDX.
Remote start is included on the FOB of the Passport at no extra charge. You have to pay for this on the RDX.

How's that for a few ;) reasons?
 
#12 ·
stevenD said:
This may sound funny, but I was tired of luxury cars, luxury pricing, luxury dealerships and paying for Premium gas for the last 16 years, so I was looking to simplify and the Passport had all the luxury I needed...
Click to expand...
That's not funny at all. I had the same reasons for trading in my 2011 Acura RDX. Also, with the new Acura RDX going back to Turbo, it automatically eliminated the RDX from my purchasing list. I had the Turbo break on my 2011 RDX. That is a $8k repair.
 
#17 ·
Pdog said:
When the dealer was appraising the car did they know the issue from self discovery?
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Also, the questions they asked didn't even ask anything that would have made me compelled to tell them. They listed my old car for $12k, and they gave me $6k in trade in, and it's no longer on their web site, so I am guessing they either fixed it, or they sold it as is.
 
#18 ·
I really like both. It really comes down to what you are looking for as they aren't really in the same class. The RDX is more of a compact SUV. My wife has 2019 RDX Advance SH AWD and I have the 2019 Passport Sport AWD. First thing you notice after climbing in is that you have so much more shoulder and head room in the Passport. Your seating position is also much higher. The RDX feels more like a car. It also handles more like a car. The steering is tighter in the RDX and with comparable HP to the V6 Passport, it definitely accelerates much quicker as well. I do agree the back up camera on the RDX is not as crisp and clear. Even with the 360 view on the Advance package. That was a big let down. Contrary to most, I actually like the track pad on the RDX. I found it easy to use. The only thing I didn't like was the wrist support area was too small.

If I had to choose, I'd choose the Passport. I like the size, towing capacity, and the MSRP on the Elite trim is still less than the MSRP on the Advance trim on the RDX. I think you get more bang for your buck on the Passport.
 
#19 ·
RDX is nice, I found it handles better(might be the North face or Starbucks factor. People think because it cost more that it's better but, they are buying the name). Besides the premium fuel one thing that ran me away was towing capacity! Same as CRV @1500. With leaving a truck I couldn't handle not having my trailer to pick up barn finds
 
#20 ·
We were debating whether to get an RDX AWD Advance or the Passport AWD Elite. We like the look of the RDX A-Spec more than the Advance but the A-Spec was missing some features that the Advance had which were more important to us than appearance.

We were actually going to purchase the RDX over the Passport until I started reading all the problems people were having with the new gen RDX's. It scared me enough to send us back to Honda where we ended up with the Passport after all. We love our Passport and expect it to serve a certain purpose but we still plan to also get an RDX in the next few years once they (hopefully) get the kinks worked out.
 
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tokiopeno
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