2019 Acura RDX Lands With VTEC 2.0L Turbo, NSX Inspired Cabin
The 2019 Acura RDX has made its debut in New York, ushering in a new-generation for the Japanese premium brand.
Acura says the 2019 RDX stays true the concept that debuted at the Detroit auto show in January. It has a low, wide stance with what Acura calls a “wheels-out” look, along with its recognizable Diamond Pentagon Grille and Jewel Eye headlights. There’s also wide front side air intakes, which are inspired by the Acura NSX, along with large hood bulges intended to reflect sportiness. Out back, there’s a unique taillight design that Acura calls the ‘Dragon Tail,’ along with a small diffuser and dual exhaust tips.
Under the hood is Honda’s 2.0-liter turbocharged VTEC four-cylinder, which is making 272 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission comes standard, as does Acura’s torque-vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system. With an extra 28 lb-ft of torque on tap over the outgoing V6 RDX, the 2.0-liter should be more responsive both on the highway and around town.
SEE ALSO: Acura Designer’s List of Favorite Cars Contains No Acuras
The most radical part of the 2019 RDX is the interior. With some heavy NSX inspiration, the tech-forward cabin alone should be enough to sell some customers on this new model. The spaceship-like dash has a control knob for switching between the driving modes (Snow, Comfort, Sport and Sport+) and also features a 10.2-inch display with an Android-based operating system. Joining the dislay is a center console touchpad, which allows the driver to easily adjust the various settings. Other interior features include the RDX-exclusive sport seats, which have 16-way adjustability, along with aluminum, stainless steel or open pore wood trim.
Acura’s AcuraWatch safety and driver assist technologies come standard on the 2019 RDX, which include a Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise and Lane Keep Assist, among more.
The performance-inspired RDX A-Spec trim will be offered from launch, adding Shark Gray 20-inch alloy wheels, a different front fascia, gloss black accents, LED fog lights and A-Spec badging. Inside, A-Spec models get contrasting stitching, aluminum trim, a sport steering wheel and an Ultrasuede dashboard.
Like the current vehicle, the 2019 RDX will go into production at Honda’s East Liberty, Ohio facility. The 2.0-liter engine and 10-speed automatic transmission will also be made in America – in Anna, Ohio and Tallapoosa, Georgia, respectively.
Discuss this story on our Acura RDX Forum.
Sam McEachern holds a diploma in journalism from St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, and has been covering the automotive industry for over 5 years. He conducts reviews and writes AutoGuide's news content. He's a die-hard motorsports fan with a passion for performance cars of all sorts.
More by Sam McEachern
Comments
Join the conversation
I like what I see, engine and transmission sound promising, and hooray that SH-AWD is back in the RDX! But. That is one big honkin' knob for a function that will probably be used by very few drivers. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/af756e1c8557245cb6d730e2ebc73a9c3f4efba43fe49ec63d39dfe793e0b833.png
No mention of actual utility or gas mileage? Great the SH-AWD is back and Acurawatch is standard, but I just get tired of seeing the utility be an afterthought in these compact SUV's. I downsized from an MDX and had an RDX on the radar but ended up with an Outback after seeing it had better storage. Seeing all these upscale compact SUV's treat mpg's and cargo storage as afterthoughts is a bit disheartening. Also echo the sentiments below about the infotainment and controls. Also not a fan losing a real shifter. Don't like it in my mom's Acura, and don't really want it in my next car too.