If it ain’t broke, do not repair it. That is possible what Acura advised its engineers and designers as the corporate got down to refresh the RDX for the 2022 mannequin 12 months. Solely eager eyes ought to be capable to level out the outside updates, whereas good listeners will admire the improved cabin expertise. And for all of the tech-heads on the market, some new options lastly convey the RDX up to the mark.
However the RDX is technically Acura’s oldest mannequin, regardless of a 2019 redesign. So whereas the remainder of the lineup has been extra considerably up to date or launched extra lately, there are a number of lingering issues that maintain the RDX from feeling as trendy because the TLX or MDX – even post-update. However that’s to not say this isn’t nonetheless a stable crossover, all issues thought of.
Execs
Acura made important adjustments to the RDX’s sound deadening for 2022. The engine now idles at 950 RPM, versus 1,000. A brand new entrance fender liner reduces vibrations, and an enhanced Lively Sound Management system retains as a lot noise out of the cabin as attainable.
With the Know-how bundle examined right here, the RDX additionally will get thicker carpeting, a brand new sound insulator for the entrance doorways, and acoustic glass. The outcomes are noticeable; the RDX is much less buzzy round city and the cabin is healthier insulated from undesirable wind, street, and tire noise. Even at freeway speeds, you’ll converse at a whisper.
Though it’s onerous to inform, the refreshed RDX does certainly have a cleaner look general. Essentially the most noticeable adjustments are on the entrance bumper. There are smaller, subtler air intakes than earlier than, a barely wider Diamond Pentagon grille, and smoother options – a la the bigger MDX. And all of it works.
With the A-Spec bundle geared up, gloss black accents encompass the grille, window sills, mirrors, and elsewhere – simply as earlier than. However on the new-for-2022 A-Spec Advance mannequin, there is a set of 20-inch Shark Grey rims and LED puddle lights that illuminate the pavement once you open the door.
No must plug in – wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are actually commonplace on the RDX for 2022. Merely join your system one time by way of Bluetooth and the RDX routinely hyperlinks to your telephone each time you step within the automotive. It labored seamlessly and with out challenge throughout our check.
Cons
There’s a draw back to utilizing CarPlay and Android Auto within the RDX: Acura’s True Touchpad Interface (TTI) makes it onerous to navigate. Whereas the TTI is comparatively seamless when utilizing Acura’s baked-in infotainment, permitting you to pick out choices on the display wherever you place your fingers on the touchpad, that is not the case with CarPlay.
With CarPlay and Android Auto, the ten.2-inch display (not a touchscreen) now not reacts to the place you place your fingers on the touchpad. You now must scroll to every particular person setting on CarPlay. This is not essentially Acura’s fault – the automaker tells us that Apple hasn’t formatted CarPlay for TTI – however it’s a small annoyance nonetheless.
A ten.2-inch display is commonplace in all variations of the RDX. Additionally commonplace? A hard and fast split-screen perform that takes up 1 / 4 of the appropriate facet of the display. It permits you to show a clock, audio, and a bit extra, however it’s usually repetitive, and it means you do not have entry to the whole thing of the ten.2 inches for different capabilities. Even if you end up utilizing CarPlay or Android Auto, the small field on the right-hand facet of the display by no means disappears.
It is a minor gripe all issues thought of, however it’s yet one more factor to take a look at whereas cross-shopping. With the bigger MDX now sporting an elective digital instrument cluster – one we fairly like – it’s a disgrace that tech didn’t trickle right down to RDX with this replace. As a substitute, the RDX has the identical two conventional gauge clusters as final 12 months, nonetheless surrounding a small 7.0-inch driver data show that’s not all that configurable. Though this setup remains to be good to take a look at, a bit extra tech right here would go a good distance.
