2020 Acura RDX SH-AWD A-SPEC: A Closer Look
With practical utility and superb performance, Acura is giving us two vehicles for the price of one.
Vehicle - Front
Do you want a practical vehicle for hauling the family or cargo? That is what an SUV is for. Do you want a vehicle that has a strong engine, takes corners like a champ, and powerful brakes? That is what a sport sedan is for. It would be nice if we could afford both, but why not make a vehicle that can perform both duties? Acura does this with the RDX.
For practical duties, there is room for five passengers, and 30 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats. This expands to 59 if the second-row seats are folded. Fuel economy can go up to 28 mpg, so with that 17-gallon fuel tank, 475 miles on a trip is possible. There is even enough ground clearance for going off the pavement. But wait there's more!
Thanks to Acura (and a bit of Honda) engineering, we get a powerful engine, superb cornering ability, quick steering, and strong brakes. In short, a vehicle that makes one feel like you are driving a sport sedan, even if you are not. It is like getting two for the price of one, so this entire package is like eating your cake and having it too.
Text and Photos by Chad Haire
A-Spec Emblem
This RDX was the SH-AWD A-Spec version. That is short for Torque Vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive, as we will discuss later. The A-Spec package includes leather trim seats, larger 20-inch wheels, Premium sound system with 16 speakers, and fancy trim.
>>Join the conversation on the RDX A-Spec right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!
Engine
Under the hood is a small yet sophisticated 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder direct-injection engine. Horsepower is rated at 272, with 280 lbs./ft. of torque. It's hooked to a modern 10-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters on the steering wheel for choosing gears manually.
Fuel economy is listed at 22 mpg in the city, and 28 highway in the base two-wheel-drive RDX. With the AWD here, this drops to 21/26 mpg.
>>Join the conversation on the RDX A-Spec right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!
Shifter
Most SUV's have the common stick shift for gear selection on their automatic transmissions. They take up too much space, force the driver to take their eyes off the road to operate, and can be easily put in the wrong gear by accident. Acura solves these issues by providing an excellent push-button selector. It is easy to use and can be operated without visual need, as each button has a unique feel. More importantly, it takes up no space on the console, which means more room in the cabin.
>>Join the conversation on the RDX A-Spec right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!
Info Screen
The infotainment screen is 10-inches wide, which is large enough for most operations. Here the panel is showing the different drive modes: Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Snow.
>>Join the conversation on the RDX A-Spec right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!
Finger Pad
Most operations such as navigation, radio, and others are controlled using a finger touch pad. To new users, the system can be awkward, and at times even maddening to use. But on the positive side, it is easy to operate once the learning curve has been mastered. In about three days of practice, we had it up and running with no issues. Practice makes perfect!
>>Join the conversation on the RDX A-Spec right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!
Wheels
The Torque Vectoring All-Wheel-Drive does more than transfer wheel power from front to rear. For the best possible grip, it can also transfer 100% of the torque from left wheels to right wheels. This increases handling ability, on or off the pavement. The A-Spec package issues larger 20-inch wheels and P255/45/VR20 all-season tires. Unfortunately, it deletes the spare tire, not a good idea if you get a flat. This is especially a potential problem when driving off-road, away from help. It would be a good idea to get a spare from your Acura dealer before driving off the lot.
>>Join the conversation on the RDX A-Spec right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!
POV
In daily commuting, the RDX is a bit on the mild side. At low speed, the engine power has not developed yet, and the transmission likes to stay in higher gears. This is fine for daily chores. But punch the sport mode button, rev the motor past 3,000 rpm, and everything comes to life. That turbocharger pumps in more psi, the tranny finds the right gears, and this rig moves out with authority. This combined with the excellent traction of AWD makes for some brisk and fun driving on back country roads. It's just like, you guessed it, a true sport sedan. The harder you drive, the happier it is.
>>Join the conversation on the RDX A-Spec right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!
Off Road
The RDX has enough ground clearance to be taken off-road. The optional All-Wheel-Drive makes it even better, providing extra traction in snow or sand. But keep in mind this is more of a car than truck, so Boonie busting activities need to be light duty only. But for recreational chores, it will do just fine.
>>Join the conversation on the RDX A-Spec right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!
Price
The base price of an RDX starts about $38,000. The SH-AWD A-SPEC is $45,850 plus shipping. There were no options, as most everything you could want is included. This makes the total tab reasonable when compared to the competition. Since the buyer is getting both an SUV and sport sedan performance, it is like getting two vehicles for the price of one.
>>Join the conversation on the RDX A-Spec right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!