web analytics
carsNew cars

2022 Acura RDX Review: Controls Freak

About these controls

Having driven hundreds of cars that revolve their dashboards around a large display, we can confidently say that controlling the touch screen directly is far superior to controlling the display via a console.

Some of the leading marketers show that consumers are also choosing touch screens, although some of the more recent ones are less positive.

Regardless: brands like Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus, which at one time were all anchored to controller consoles, have given way to touchscreens.

That makes Acura’s insistence on its True Touchpad interface, a standard RDX feature, all the more annoying.

 

 

2022 Acura RDX
According to TTI, the RDX’s 10.2-inch dash display is not a touch screen – and even if it were, its position above the dash would be far reaching.

Instead, you control it with two-zone tactile pads on the arm.

Acura offers an individual partition, where the area on the touchpad is equal to the area on the screen, but it is annoying to use.

Accomplishing simple tasks, such as navigating Apple CarPlay, involves swiping around the pad and reporting the absence of a cracked touchscreen.

There are two sides to the wide screen, and about two-thirds of the screen shows the main functions while the rest shows the secondary menu.

 

That reveals another flaw:

the screen is around 9.5-inches wide and only 3.6-inches high, so interfaces like CarPlay,

map navigation and the rear camera do not exploit the full display; at most, they can occupy around 70% of the screen, which is equivalent to a screen of only 7.5 inches diagonally. The peculiarities continue.

At the top of the control panel is a quick-button selector – a unit we’ve never seen before in any of its models from Acura or its parent company, Honda.

Acura is making room for a large selectman of that type of drive, which may not see much use except among drive-focused owners.

The climate control, meanwhile, is minimal, with a small knob for stereo sound and no tuning knob.

As it appears

The RDX’s sole engine, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, provides efficient power and enough power at low revs to feel fast. application from the stop.

It works through a 10-speed automatic transmission that uses smooth shifting and is very responsive if you need more power when you are on the move.

In sport mode, the 10-speed can hold multiple gears with little delay instead of stuttering between gears.

10-speed and 2.0-liter turbo make the combination responsive and enthusiastic.

The three highest trim levels of the RDX have adjustable dampers, the stiffness of which you can change depending on the drive mode.

For 2022, Acura has added different characters at both ends of the spectrum: soft and comfortable, stable and sporty.

Our test car had a flexible setup, and a wide range of features were visible — a rarity among convertibles, which often exhibit only minor friction and smooth ride quality. Their drives are different.

The shocks on the RDX are washed out in all guises, with a taut chassis and little excessive body movement.

Still, it can be a bit of a chore at times, even in comfort mode.

I would like to appreciate the isolation as I move forward with the stubbornness – two sides that should not be in contact.

The available RDX’s AWD system uses torque vectoring for better handling; Acura markets it as Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive.

The warm temperatures kept us from throwing the SUV around too much, but the handling held up without too much fuss — even when I tried to introduce some quick inputs.

This is consistent with our previous experience with SH-AWD, a premium system across the Acura lineup, not only in terms of traction, but also handling.

to do
Taller drivers may be limited by the movement of the front seats, but the installation at least preserves the rear suspension (although the lower height may leave the knees of passengers the back has uncomfortable long legs).

Quality is good overall, with plenty of fabric and fabric where your arms and knees fall.

You are not far away to see the signs of death: things do not depreciate under the arms and back, but it is not worse than what you will find in other luxury compact SUVs.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button