Skip to content

RDX

Acura 2013 RDX AWD Tech: Review

2013 Acura RDX

The 2013 Acura RDX is the Mommiest Mom Car that ever Mommed… and I say that with love and sincerity. A week in the RDX will sell any mom on this crossover. Maybe it’s not a crossover, maybe it’s a small SUV? Whatever it is, the RDX is the perfect car for a small family, by small family I mean two kids or less as the RDX seats five.

I’ve been delighted by Acura in the past and I’m still willing to assert that the TL is one of the finest cars on the road so I was excited to drive the RDX.

When I looked at it I was expecting it to drive like an SUV. I’m a devotee of sedans and I’m learning to enjoy a crossover, I enjoyed this one. When I got on the freeway (my local onramp has a pretty decent incline) I was stunned and delighted by the pickup. It’s not a massive engine, 273hp on a 24-valve V6 but with a modest curb weight of about 3,850 the RDX has spunk.

There’s plenty of room in the RDX, our carpool kid is now 5’10” and he gets stuck in the back seats of all these cars. He had plenty of leg room. The RDX is small in a good way. I really miss my 3 series BMW and I loved it because it just fit me. I’m 5’6″ and very average sized. I love sitting in the RDX because I don’t feel like I’m sliding all over a big seat like I would in an SUV and everything on the dash is a short distance from me. My husband (who is 5’11”) felt like the RDX was too small and sqaushy for him. Like most crossovers the trunk is super appealing. Not having to lift baseball bags over bumpers (and scratching mom’s car) is a real joy. If you can swing it getting a technology package with the power tailgate makes all the difference in the world. It seems like a little thing but once you’ve eliminated the sound of slamming trunks it’s hard to want to go back.

Also included in the tech package is Acura’s navigation system which I think is one of the best on the market. Of course there are back up cameras, real time traffic and weather, upgrades to the stereo system and lighting but the real gold is in having a navigation system that’s both intuitive and accurate. As much as I love my luxury cars they’re deficient in the nav department.

What’s really lovable about the RDX is the drive. It’s smooth and quiet. Every so often I’d be on the freeway and wonder why everyone was driving so slowly, I’d look down and realize that I was moving at 80+ miles an hour. The cabin is well insulated and road rattle and noise is muted for a full luxury experience. Since the IIHS has given the 2013 RDX it’s highest rating your insurance might even be reasonable and we know you’ll be as safe as one can be on the road.

Bonus: I can u-turn this thing on my little LA street. No three point turns makes it the perfect city sized city car.

Also I feel a need to add that this is the second time I’ve written about this car today. Really.