RX350 vs. MDX?
10-15-20 | 01:56 PM
#106
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 977
Likes: 693
From: Ohio
Having worked with engineers on design and development projects for many years in my career, I understand that issues can sneak through a well-designed test program, and then show up later when the product is in the hands of the customer -- that is bound to happen even in well-managed companies. But it is how the company handles the problem, that separates excellent companies from jerks you want to stay away from. I was appalled at how my neighbor was treated by his dealer, and the article I linked above indicates that he got the same treatment they gave everyone else who had that problem. That is when you conclude, you not only don't want the product, you also don't want the company that built it.
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milk659 (10-20-20)
10-15-20 | 04:29 PM
#108
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 551
Likes: 183
From: NC
Acura transmissions are a mixed bag. The TLX for its first few years had that horrid ZF9 transmission but has recently been upgraded to the in-house 10 speed which most people find to be very good. Likewise the RDX and now the MDX are all 10 speed Honda transmissions.
My 07 TL had over 300,000 miles with the old 5 speed auto and that thing was bulletproof. The previous '99 TL went through 2 transmissions (although Acura paid for the replacement).
Acura more recent problems are with technology, implementation, and customer service. They still can't get CarPlay to work well with the RDX, and they have no idea how to address the Limp-Mode problem. Dealers are trained to say "first time we have seen that problem". Customer Service has declined rapidly with Acura which is too bad. I owned Acura exclusively for the past 32 years but found nothing reliable or tempting when I went looking last fall. RDX is great if you want to worry about the 30 various problems that they have not fixed in 2 1/2 years. I really wanted to buy an RDX but just could not do it. Came over to Lexus and very happy with my choice. I hope that Acura can get their act together. They always offered great value but with reliability down and cost up, they have lost what made them great. (I loved my old Integras and TLs, and paid very little out the door and for maintenance).
My 07 TL had over 300,000 miles with the old 5 speed auto and that thing was bulletproof. The previous '99 TL went through 2 transmissions (although Acura paid for the replacement).
Acura more recent problems are with technology, implementation, and customer service. They still can't get CarPlay to work well with the RDX, and they have no idea how to address the Limp-Mode problem. Dealers are trained to say "first time we have seen that problem". Customer Service has declined rapidly with Acura which is too bad. I owned Acura exclusively for the past 32 years but found nothing reliable or tempting when I went looking last fall. RDX is great if you want to worry about the 30 various problems that they have not fixed in 2 1/2 years. I really wanted to buy an RDX but just could not do it. Came over to Lexus and very happy with my choice. I hope that Acura can get their act together. They always offered great value but with reliability down and cost up, they have lost what made them great. (I loved my old Integras and TLs, and paid very little out the door and for maintenance).
I had a 2008 TL and put 140k miles on it with no mechanical issues just kept serviced. Really loved that car and I drove it hard on the hwy. I did take extra care to the transmission by changing fluid every 30k miles.
The only thing I had done the 10yrs was replace the worn leather on all the seats since my dad did that kind of custom work. Actually I wanted an MDX but wife picked the RX and was a good choice.
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Quantum501 (10-16-20)
10-19-20 | 08:48 PM
#109
Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 232
Likes: 64
From: TX
Acura transmissions are a mixed bag. The TLX for its first few years had that horrid ZF9 transmission but has recently been upgraded to the in-house 10 speed which most people find to be very good. Likewise the RDX and now the MDX are all 10 speed Honda transmissions.
My 07 TL had over 300,000 miles with the old 5 speed auto and that thing was bulletproof. The previous '99 TL went through 2 transmissions (although Acura paid for the replacement).
Acura more recent problems are with technology, implementation, and customer service. They still can't get CarPlay to work well with the RDX, and they have no idea how to address the Limp-Mode problem. Dealers are trained to say "first time we have seen that problem". Customer Service has declined rapidly with Acura which is too bad. I owned Acura exclusively for the past 32 years but found nothing reliable or tempting when I went looking last fall. RDX is great if you want to worry about the 30 various problems that they have not fixed in 2 1/2 years. I really wanted to buy an RDX but just could not do it. Came over to Lexus and very happy with my choice. I hope that Acura can get their act together. They always offered great value but with reliability down and cost up, they have lost what made them great. (I loved my old Integras and TLs, and paid very little out the door and for maintenance).
My 07 TL had over 300,000 miles with the old 5 speed auto and that thing was bulletproof. The previous '99 TL went through 2 transmissions (although Acura paid for the replacement).
Acura more recent problems are with technology, implementation, and customer service. They still can't get CarPlay to work well with the RDX, and they have no idea how to address the Limp-Mode problem. Dealers are trained to say "first time we have seen that problem". Customer Service has declined rapidly with Acura which is too bad. I owned Acura exclusively for the past 32 years but found nothing reliable or tempting when I went looking last fall. RDX is great if you want to worry about the 30 various problems that they have not fixed in 2 1/2 years. I really wanted to buy an RDX but just could not do it. Came over to Lexus and very happy with my choice. I hope that Acura can get their act together. They always offered great value but with reliability down and cost up, they have lost what made them great. (I loved my old Integras and TLs, and paid very little out the door and for maintenance).
10-19-20 | 08:50 PM
#110
Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 232
Likes: 64
From: TX
I had a 2008 TL and put 140k miles on it with no mechanical issues just kept serviced. Really loved that car and I drove it hard on the hwy. I did take extra care to the transmission by changing fluid every 30k miles.
The only thing I had done the 10yrs was replace the worn leather on all the seats since my dad did that kind of custom work. Actually I wanted an MDX but wife picked the RX and was a good choice.
The only thing I had done the 10yrs was replace the worn leather on all the seats since my dad did that kind of custom work. Actually I wanted an MDX but wife picked the RX and was a good choice.
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Quantum501 (10-20-20)
10-19-20 | 08:58 PM
#111
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: WA
New upcoming MDX vs RX
For those who are paying attention, thoughts on the new upcoming 2022 Acura MDX and how you think it stacks up to the current RX?
I think Acura is going to knock it out of the park!
https://www.acura.com/future-vehicles
I think Acura is going to knock it out of the park!
https://www.acura.com/future-vehicles
10-19-20 | 10:37 PM
#112
Racer
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 1,824
Likes: 343
From: CA
The 2022 MDX looks very luxurious and has lots of newer tech, reliability is always a question mark esp with transmissions in the past but I saw people have the older MDX models go over 150K easily. RX is a bit dated in the tech and some say the drive is like driving the magic carpet (smooth without much road feel or noise) and luxurious but is super reliable. Resale value goes to the RX.
My 2 cents
My 2 cents
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coolbrazz (10-20-20)
10-19-20 | 10:48 PM
#113
Anything new is going to be more exciting, and sadly it won’t take much to blow the Lexus infotainment system out of the water.
My first car was an Acura and ever since I’ve owned 6 Honda/Acura’s and about 12 Toyota/Lexus products. Both make great cars that will go forever, and will hold value well. (Toyota does hold an edge but Honda’s aren’t bad)
In my opinion if your the type of driver that likes to drive harder, takes curves faster, have a sportier ride usually Honda’s /Acura’s win that battle. If you prefer to glide along and have a more cushioned, quieter, less sporty ride then Lexus /Toyota is more your your style.
All that being said if your comparing a 2021 MDX to a 2016 RX we will loose that battle easily going off of technology alone. Let’s see what’s coming down the pipeline from Lexus.
My first car was an Acura and ever since I’ve owned 6 Honda/Acura’s and about 12 Toyota/Lexus products. Both make great cars that will go forever, and will hold value well. (Toyota does hold an edge but Honda’s aren’t bad)
In my opinion if your the type of driver that likes to drive harder, takes curves faster, have a sportier ride usually Honda’s /Acura’s win that battle. If you prefer to glide along and have a more cushioned, quieter, less sporty ride then Lexus /Toyota is more your your style.
All that being said if your comparing a 2021 MDX to a 2016 RX we will loose that battle easily going off of technology alone. Let’s see what’s coming down the pipeline from Lexus.
Last edited by ellocovg; 10-19-20 at 10:52 PM.
10-19-20 | 11:07 PM
#114
Racer
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 1,824
Likes: 343
From: CA
I had a '14 Acura TL and it was great until the 95K mark. There were 2 catalytic converter codes, I also found I needed to do major service soon. I ended up traded it in. There was a leak of exhaust fumes or something around 80K or so into the car. I would always get a headache when I had my windows up. No other issues at all, great FWD power and no hesitation or transmission issues. Everything on it was stock and I didn't drive it rough or race with it.
I tried the TLX and very disappointed. Long story, I'm on the Lexus GS owner nowadays. I like firmer rides though.
I did test drive the '20 RX given the wife wanted to look at it. I felt power was adequate and ride was smooth and settle. Wish the RX L was really larger though.
I tried the TLX and very disappointed. Long story, I'm on the Lexus GS owner nowadays. I like firmer rides though.
I did test drive the '20 RX given the wife wanted to look at it. I felt power was adequate and ride was smooth and settle. Wish the RX L was really larger though.
10-20-20 | 05:18 AM
#115
Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 75
Likes: 28
From: IL
That's exactly what they did to my neighbor.
Having worked with engineers on design and development projects for many years in my career, I understand that issues can sneak through a well-designed test program, and then show up later when the product is in the hands of the customer -- that is bound to happen even in well-managed companies. But it is how the company handles the problem, that separates excellent companies from jerks you want to stay away from. I was appalled at how my neighbor was treated by his dealer, and the article I linked above indicates that he got the same treatment they gave everyone else who had that problem. That is when you conclude, you not only don't want the product, you also don't want the company that built it.
Having worked with engineers on design and development projects for many years in my career, I understand that issues can sneak through a well-designed test program, and then show up later when the product is in the hands of the customer -- that is bound to happen even in well-managed companies. But it is how the company handles the problem, that separates excellent companies from jerks you want to stay away from. I was appalled at how my neighbor was treated by his dealer, and the article I linked above indicates that he got the same treatment they gave everyone else who had that problem. That is when you conclude, you not only don't want the product, you also don't want the company that built it.
10-20-20 | 05:24 AM
#116
Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 75
Likes: 28
From: IL
The 2022 MDX looks very luxurious and has lots of newer tech, reliability is always a question mark esp with transmissions in the past but I saw people have the older MDX models go over 150K easily. RX is a bit dated in the tech and some say the drive is like driving the magic carpet (smooth without much road feel or noise) and luxurious but is super reliable. Resale value goes to the RX.
My 2 cents
My 2 cents
But I think the real underdog in this fight may come from Korea. Have you seen the new Genesis GV80? See this review below, and especially at 05:27
10-20-20 | 06:12 AM
#118
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 977
Likes: 693
From: Ohio
10-20-20 | 08:44 AM
#119
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 8,225
Likes: 2,583
From: NJ
10-20-20 | 09:22 AM
#120
Driver
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 156
Likes: 44
From: TX
I am a long time Acura owner (1994 Integra, 2007 TL sold at 140K miles, 2013 TL 100K miles - gave it to my dad, 2014 MDX 130K miles - still have it). I went from the 2013 TL to 2020 GX460 for space and utility.
Acura make good cars. They are generally not the best at anything but overall good at everything. Acura has been losing their way with their non-sense "smart luxury", no doubt. But I feel like with the latest generation of their cars (RDX, TLX, and now MDX), they are slowly coming back to reclaim their glory days. My wife is very tempted to get the new MDX when she saw the "concept" although she'd been eyeing on the X3/X5 for a while now. We are gonna hold off for another year for sure as we've decided not to buy 1st year model of anything, and we want to see how the Acura Type S models and their TT V6 engine look like.
Acura make good cars. They are generally not the best at anything but overall good at everything. Acura has been losing their way with their non-sense "smart luxury", no doubt. But I feel like with the latest generation of their cars (RDX, TLX, and now MDX), they are slowly coming back to reclaim their glory days. My wife is very tempted to get the new MDX when she saw the "concept" although she'd been eyeing on the X3/X5 for a while now. We are gonna hold off for another year for sure as we've decided not to buy 1st year model of anything, and we want to see how the Acura Type S models and their TT V6 engine look like.