Acura Ups Luxury Content for Refreshed RDX

CALISTOGA, CA – Acura debuts a refreshed ’16 RDX today at the 2015 Chicago auto show, including a new high-end grade of the hot-selling midsize CUV.

Since the launch of the second-generation model in spring 2012, RDX sales have been an upward trajectory, reaching a record volume of 44,865 in the U.S. in 2014, outselling its nearest competitor, the Audi Q5, by about 2,500 units.

But after seeing average transaction prices on competing models, Acura product planners decided the RDX could bear more content.

“The max price on an RDX today is in the neighborhood of $40,000,” Gary Robinson, manager-Acura product planning, tells media last week at an ILX event here. “Well, a lot of our competitors are transacting well above $50,000, so there’s real opportunity for us to compete.”

For those who want more premium features, Acura is offering a new Advance grade for the ’16 RDX, with standard items such as ventilated front seats, fog lights, remote-engine start, rain-sensing wipers and parking sensors.

Standard features on the base RDX include a power moonroof, 8-way power driver’s seat, a multi-view rearview camera, Bluetooth and new-for-’16 power tailgate.

The Tech grade has standard navigation, a premium audio system, leather seating, an 8-way power passenger seat and blindspot detection.

Acura’s suite of safety technologies, AcuraWatch Plus, can be added to either the base or Tech grades and comes standard on the Advance grade.

Styling changes to the midsize CUV for ’16 include updated versions of the brand’s signature grille and JewelEye headlights. The grille now has a 3-dimensional look and the headlights get an LED light pipe instead of small, individual LEDs.

These styling changes, as well as larger air intakes, also are incorporated on the refreshed ’16 ILX sedan that went on sale Feb. 9.

Also as in the ILX, the RDX swaps a central knob for a touchscreen to control the audio system.

The ’16 RDX gets three new 18-in. wheel designs: a silver-painted look for the Base and Tech grades, and two aluminum-alloy designs. The standard wheels for the Advance grade have black-painted accents, while an optional design has a diamond-cut finish.

Slight updates have been made to the RDX’s sole engine, a 3.5L V-6 with cylinder deactivation, to reduce weight and friction, resulting in minor improvements in horsepower and fuel economy.

The RDX’s V-6 now churns out 279 hp, up from 273 hp in the ’15 model.

Torque goes from 251 lb.-ft. (340 Nm), to 252 lb.-ft. (342 Nm) and arrives at 4,900 rpm vs. 5,000 rpm.

Both front- and all-wheel drive RDXs see a 1-mpg (0.4-km/L) improvement in highway fuel economy, although their combined rating holds from ’15: 23 mpg (10.2 L/100 km) in the FWD model and 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km) with AWD.

Robinson says Acura has updated the RDX’s optional AWD system, following owner complaints about wheel slippage in wet and icy conditions. Engineers upped the amount of maximum torque that can be sent to the rear differential for a “better acceleration experience,” he says.

Pricing for the ’16 RDX will be announced near its planned spring 2015 launch.

The ’15 RDX ranges from $35,095 for a base model to $40,195 for a Technology grade with AWD.

Competing model the Audi Q5 starts at $39,300 and reaches $52.900, while the BMW X3 goes from $38,500 to $45,500.

[email protected]