2013 Acura RDX Revealed: 2012 Chicago Auto Show

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

Acura showed off their 2013 RDX, featuring a 3.5L V6 with 33 more horsepower than the outgoing model and substantially improved fuel economy.

At 273 horsepower and MPG ratings of 20/28 mpg for the front-driver and 19/27 mpg AWD version, quantitative performance is up for Acura’s small crossover. Pandora Radio, an ELS sound system, a power liftgate and a longer wheelbase/wider track are the big news for 2013. We’ll have more information tomorrow when our team starts live coverage of the Chicago Auto Show.



Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Ckgs Ckgs on Feb 08, 2012

    The comments here on the RDX and on the ILX post are pretty brutal. It's almost like Acura could not do anything right regardless of the attempts. If the ILX and RDX had all the features discussed, the price would be high and the complaint would be that Acura cannot complete with "Tier 1" luxury. Keep the price down, and the complaints are poor engine choices, just a Civic/CRV/Honda with leather, etc. I makes me wonder if Acura is simply a damaged brand.

    • Derek Kreindler Derek Kreindler on Feb 08, 2012

      It definitely is. I'll wait to reserve judgement until I drive them. The last RDX may have seemed cool on paper, but the execution wasn't that wonderful. It was thirsty, expensive and the turbo motor wasn't as great as it was made out to be.

  • Shaker Shaker on Feb 08, 2012

    CUV's and SUV's certainly bring the worst out of 4-cyl powertrains lifted from their sedan counterparts; with the added weight and wind resistance, they perform poorly (especially in hilly terrain), and suck more fuel (and the EPA tests seem to not take these factors fully into account). Add AWD, and you have a formula for disappointment.

  • Jeff I noticed the last few new vehicles I have bought a 2022 Maverick and 2013 CRV had very little new vehicle smell. My 2008 Isuzu I-370 the smell lasted for years but it never really bothered me. My first car a 73 Chevelle and been a smoker's car after a couple of months I managed to get rid of the smell by cleaning the inside thoroughly, putting an air freshener in it, and rolling the windows down on a hot day parking it in the sun. The cigarette smell disappeared completely never to come back. Also you can use an ozone machine and it will get rid of most odors.
  • Lou_BC Synthetic oil for my diesel is expensive. It calls for Dexos2. I usually keep an eye out for sales and stock up. I can get 2 - 3 oil and filter changes done by my son for what the Chevy dealer charges for one oil change.
  • Joe65688619 My last new car was a 2020 Acura RDX. Left it parked in the Florida sun for a few hours with the windows up the first day I had it, and was literally coughing and hacking on the offgassing. No doubt there is a problem here, but are there regs for the makeup of the interiors? The article notes that that "shockingly"...it's only shocking to me if they are not supposed to be there to begin with.
  • MaintenanceCosts "GLX" with the 2.slow? I'm confused. I thought that during the Mk3 and Mk4 era "GLX" meant the car had a VR6.
  • Dr.Nick What about Infiniti? Some of those cars might be interesting, whereas not much at Nissan interest me other than the Z which is probably big bucks.
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