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Acura’s 2013 RDX Drives like Squishy Love

Rolling around in the 2013 Acura RDX made my family’s tushies happy as it weaved its love over nasty surfaces. Seriously, this is one of the best riding vehicles in its class. It’s creamy even squishy over road surfaces that made the old RDX shutter like a tambourine.

If you drive a Honda CR-V, you’re most likely not a performance seeker. Still, it’s nice to know that you’re in a well-built, top rated SUV/Crossover – right? There will come a time when you will long for more oomph, more luxury and better driving dynamics. The Acura RDX delivers all of that while feeling like a grownup CR-V.

Here are five things you need to know about the 2013 Acura RDX

1. It’s beefier than the old RDX: The old RDX had a turbocharged four-cylinder that made 240 horsepower. The new 273 hp 3.5-liter V6 is normally aspirated, and makes 251 lbs-feet of torque. It now weighs about 3,700 lbs – but it’s faster and it gets better gas mileage. There is a easy shifting six-speed automatic transmission that has paddle shifters… which are kind of silly, but maybe someone will use them.
2. It’s more mature: The old RDX was pretty sharp around corners as it had a version of Acura’s lauded Super-handling All-wheel Drive (SHAWD) and, boy, was the ride crap. That was because of the intention to make the old RDX a sports-biased crossover. Not anymore. The 2013 Acura RDX has dispensed of the SHAWD, tight suspension and grumbling four-banger. A mechanical center differential replaces the SHAWD. It’s pudding-like smooth and very quiet. It can still corner, but only if you must. It would rather not push on corners too hard. If you push it, you will under-steer and plow. The steering is fairly responsive, but there is no steering feel.
   
3. It’s thriftier: despite being an altogether bigger and more powerful machine, the gas mileage has improved. With the old RDX, I averaged 19 mpg. Acura says the 2013 RDX will get 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Despite my juvenile driving, I averaged about 22 mpg. That’s pretty damn good. The starting price of about $34,000 is impressive too. My tester’s price of about $40,000 was competitive for this bracket.
4. It’s one of the most confounding vehicles when it comes to gizmos: When I brought the rugrats to school, I parked the 2013 Acura RDX, shut off the ignition and walked out of the vehicle to open their doors. Guess what? They were still locked. I had to unlock the Acura to let the kiddos out. The hatch won’t open if the vehicle is running. Despite having less buttons, there is still a myriad. The navigation is unfriendly and the stereo controls require a long time to familiarize with. All these wiz bangs and no cooled seats or vent for the rear passenger? It’s kind of a bummer.
   
5. It’s ridiculously comfortable and accommodating: I cannot emphasize how impressed I was with the comfort level of the 2013 Acura RDX enough. The seats are worlds better than the last model and the legroom is very good all around. Hip room in the back might be tight for three adults, but three kids have plenty of space. The cargo area has a very useable 26.1 cubic feet of capacity that extends to 76.9 cu-ft with the rear seats down. That’s quite good for the class.

Yes, the 2013 Acura RDX impressed me and my little family with ride sophistication that spoiled our derrières. It does everything well with the exception of its electronics. Still, if you want the definition of smooth riding in a small, luxury crossover – it’s hard to beat the 2013 Acura RDX.

Courtesy ot TFLCar.com

Acura’s 2013 RDX Drives like Squishy Love

[[posterous-content:pid___0]]Rolling around in the 2013 Acura RDX made my family’s tushies happy as it weaved its love over nasty surfaces. Seriously, this is one of the best riding vehicles in its class. It’s creamy even squishy over road surfaces that made the old RDX shutter like a tambourine.

If you drive a Honda CR-V, you’re most likely not a performance seeker. Still, it’s nice to know that you’re in a well-built, top rated SUV/Crossover – right? There will come a time when you will long for more oomph, more luxury and better driving dynamics. The Acura RDX delivers all of that while feeling like a grownup CR-V.

[[posterous-content:pid___1]]Here are five things you need to know about the 2013 Acura RDX

1. It’s beefier than the old RDX: The old RDX had a turbocharged four-cylinder that made 240 horsepower. The new 273 hp 3.5-liter V6 is normally aspirated, and makes 251 lbs-feet of torque. It now weighs about 3,700 lbs – but it’s faster and it gets better gas mileage. There is a easy shifting six-speed automatic transmission that has paddle shifters… which are kind of silly, but maybe someone will use them.
2. It’s more mature: The old RDX was pretty sharp around corners as it had a version of Acura’s lauded Super-handling All-wheel Drive (SHAWD) and, boy, was the ride crap. That was because of the intention to make the old RDX a sports-biased crossover. Not anymore. The 2013 Acura RDX has dispensed of the SHAWD, tight suspension and grumbling four-banger. A mechanical center differential replaces the SHAWD. It’s pudding-like smooth and very quiet. It can still corner, but only if you must. It would rather not push on corners too hard. If you push it, you will under-steer and plow. The steering is fairly responsive, but there is no steering feel.
3. It’s thriftier: despite being an altogether bigger and more powerful machine, the gas mileage has improved. With the old RDX, I averaged 19 mpg. Acura says the 2013 RDX will get 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Despite my juvenile driving, I averaged about 22 mpg. That’s pretty damn good. The starting price of about $34,000 is impressive too. My tester’s price of about $40,000 was competitive for this bracket.
4. It’s one of the most confounding vehicles when it comes to gizmos: When I brought the rugrats to school, I parked the 2013 Acura RDX, shut off the ignition and walked out of the vehicle to open their doors. Guess what? They were still locked. I had to unlock the Acura to let the kiddos out. The hatch won’t open if the vehicle is running. Despite having less buttons, there is still a myriad. The navigation is unfriendly and the stereo controls require a long time to familiarize with. All these wiz bangs and no cooled seats or vent for the rear passenger? It’s kind of a bummer.
5. It’s ridiculously comfortable and accommodating: I cannot emphasize how impressed I was with the comfort level of the 2013 Acura RDX enough. The seats are worlds better than the last model and the legroom is very good all around. Hip room in the back might be tight for three adults, but three kids have plenty of space. The cargo area has a very useable 26.1 cubic feet of capacity that extends to 76.9 cu-ft with the rear seats down. That’s quite good for the class.

Yes, the 2013 Acura RDX impressed me and my little family with ride sophistication that spoiled our derrières. It does everything well with the exception of its electronics. Still, if you want the definition of smooth riding in a small, luxury crossover – it’s hard to beat the 2013 Acura RDX.

Courtesy ot TFLCar.com

Happy Monday fans! Here is a Monday maintenance tip to keep the interior of your car from looking weathered!

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Park in the shade

• Of course, a garage is always the ideal place to park your car. But if one isn’t available, minimize interior damage from UV sunlight and heat by always trying to park your car in the shade. If no shade is available or if you find parking under a tree results in bird droppings, use a car shade to minimize the sun’s impact. As a bonus, you’ll have a cooler car to step into on hot sunny days. Car shades come in two basic types: those that you unfold and place on the front windshield and rear window, or pleated types that attach to the windshield posts (with adhesive), window frames (with Velcro), or the windows themselves (with suction cups).

Not just any vehicle can become an Acura Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle. It must pass a rigorous certification process that embodies Acura's impeccable standards!

Wouldn't you love to cruise down the street in this all-new 2013 Acura ILX? It can be all yours! Be sure to stop by Paragon Acura today for a test drive.

Click Here for Details!

2014 Acura MDX Spy Photos

What It Is: A next-generation Acura MDX prototype being tested in the desert while towing a trailer. Setting aside the fact that the mule in these spy photos is the first MDX this author has ever seen towing anything, the covered-up crossover does reveal what to expect when the redesigned model hits the market—besides its towing capability.

Why It Matters: The MDX in its current form was introduced for 2007 and has only received a single major refresh, which updated it for 2010. Despite its age, the MDX managed to place third in a recent five-crossover comparison test, and we still think it’s one of the better-driving offerings in its segment. Acura is in the throes of overhauling its entire lineup, having recently introduced the new RDX crossover and ILX compact sedan, as well as previewing the upcoming, range-topping RLX sedan in lightly disguised “concept” form. This MDX would be nearly the final piece in Acura’s mainstream lineup puzzle. (We’re not counting the highly anticipated NSX sports car revival here for obvious reasons.) Once this new MDX is squared away, pretty much all that’s left for Acura to do is figure out which sedan to place between the ILX and RLX—the TL or the TSX.

Platform: Expect the 2014 MDX to continue to offer three-row seating, some form of all-wheel drive, and crisp exterior styling. It’s also clear from these spy photos that there’s a size increase in store for the next MDX, chiefly in length. The wheelbase doesn’t look hugely different, but this tester has a lot more rear overhang than the current model. We expect the added length will free up more space in the way back of the MDX’s cabin, possibly allowing real-world adults to sit in the third row.

It appears the MDX will ditch its angular, techno-Transformer look for softer, less-exciting duds. An RDX-like face is visible through this prototype’s camouflage, and the roofline has more curvature than the current greenhouse. In profile, the new Acura doesn’t look too different from Infiniti’s new JX crossover, a vehicle targeted directly at the strong-selling Acura. We’ll reserve final judgment on the MDX’s cosmetics until we can see more of it, but we think the outgoing model wore Acura’s (now-last-gen) styling language the best.

Powertrain: The current MDX is motivated by a 300-hp, 3.7-liter V-6 driving all four wheels through Acura’s torque-vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system. We don’t anticipate this basic formula to change much, although there’s a chance that the heavy and expensive SH-AWD setup could be ditched, like it was for the latest RDX, for a non-super system. There’s also a chance of the MDX switching to a hybridized AWD system like the RLX’s. It remains to be seen whether such a powertrain could handle the kind of towing duties undertaken in these photos.

Competition: BMW X5, Infiniti JX, Lexus RX350, Land Rover LR4, Mercedes-Benz ML-class.

Estimated Arrival Time: The new MDX could appear at an auto show as soon as early next year, although, in typical Acura fashion, we’ll likely get a look at a near-production-ready “concept” version first. Look for the production MDX to go on sale sometime next year as a 2014 model.

Courest of CarAndDriver.com

Happy Monday fans! Here is a Monday maintenance tip for you!

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Go easy when you’re stuck

When stuck in mud or snow, don’t make the problem worse by damaging an expensive component. Gently rocking in an attempt to free the car is fine. But if it looks as though you’re really stuck, don’t keep at it. Throwing your car from forward to reverse repeatedly, as well as spinning tires at high speeds, can generate lots of heat and spell trouble for transmissions, clutches, and differentials. It may be cheaper in the long run to call the tow truck rather than risk big repair bills down the road. It’s a good idea to carry a traction aid in the trunk, such as sand, gravel, or cat litter.

The Acura ILX is a car that defines technological innovation. Metric's new album "Synthetica" is set to a sound that blends technology and nature. Watch the video below and see for yourself!

Know a deal when you see it? Then lock in this Certified Pre-Owned 2008 Acura RDX today!

Click Here for Details!

Acura adds entry-level compact

Acura's newest sedan, the 2013 ILX, looks good, is fuel-conscious and has a controlled, comfortable ride.

But its base retail price, including destination charge, is only $26,795. This is $4,110 below the previous lowest-priced Acura, the 2012 TSX compact sedan that starts at $30,905.

Best of all, the ILX isn't a barebones Acura. The starting price includes noteworthy standard features such as moonroof, six-speaker audio system, 5-inch color information display on the dashboard, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, dual, automatic climate control, keyless entry and push-button start.

Also standard: A Short Message Service (SMS) text messaging feature that can read text messages to the driver and respond to each message with one of six pre-set replies, such as, "Talk to you later, I'm driving." A driver must have a compatible device, such as a Blackberry, to tie in to this feature.

Acura officials said the new ILX is designed to attract young buyers to the luxury brand, which is part of Honda.

In fact, most drivers wouldn't have a clue the ILX is based on the Honda Civic, a compact car that has been a staple of young people in the United States for years.

But the ILX is much more than a revamped Civic. While the ILX uses the Civic's front-wheel drive platform, there's not a single piece of metal on the outside that's from the Civic. In fact, the ILX is a bit longer and wider than a Civic sedan.

The interior is all Acura, with good use of textures and materials and thoughtful design of controls to craft a pleasing passenger compartment. The ILX suspension, which gives the five-seater a composed ride, is better than the Civic's, too. Extra sound insulation makes the ILX interior far quieter than a Civic, as well.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge, is for a base, five-passenger ILX with 150-horsepower, four cylinder mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.

There's no manual transmission for the base engine. But a 201-horsepower four cylinder mated to a six-speed manual transmission is available on a ILX Premium model for a starting retail price of $30,095.

There is no automatic transmission for this higher-powered version of ILX. But this model comes with standard heated, leather-trimmed seats, larger, 17-inch wheels and tires and high-intensity discharge headlights.

A third ILX model is a gasoline-electric hybrid — Acura's first — that has a starting MSRP, including destination charge, of $29,795.

The ILX Hybrid, with hybrid technology similar to the Civic's, has a federal government fuel economy rating of 39 miles per gallon in city driving and 38 mpg on the highway.

This compares with 24/35-mpg rating for the ILX with 150-horsepower four cylinder and 22/31-mpg rating for the ILX with 201-horsepower engine.

For the record, the test ILX non-hybrid model with 201-horse engine and manual six speed averaged 28 mpg in city/highway travel, without the driver trying to conserve fuel. This 28 mpg is 12 percent higher than the government's city/highway rating of 25 mpg for this model, and translated into a range of nearly 370 miles on a single tank of fuel.

Note: Acura recommends but does not require premium unleaded gasoline for the ILX.

Acura officials compare the ILX to other entry-level luxury compacts, such as the 2012 Audi A3, which has a starting retail price of $28,145 with 200-horsepower, turbocharged four cylinder and manual transmission.

But many mainstream cars — even mid-size sedans with a fair amount of amenities — fit into the ILX price range.

For example, a mid-size, 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid has a starting retail price of $29,570, which is only $225 less than the ILX Hybrid's base price. The base Fusion Hybrid, however, doesn't include a moonroof, while the ILX Hybrid does.

The test ILX Premium model had a lightness to the electric steering that was noticed but not troubling.

The most surprising experience in the ILX: How confidently the car handled in curves and turns. It tracked solidly and felt stable on the road, even in emergency situations.

The 2.4-liter, double overhead cam four cylinder in the tester is the same one that's in Acura's slightly larger TSX sedan. Power came on quickly and the car moved through traffic with pep. Torque peaks at 170 foot-pounds at 4,400 rpm.

The six-speed manual in the tester moved smoothly and precisely from gear to gear in satisfying fashion and was so pleasurable, the driver didn't feel a need to use the standard paddle shifters.

There was little wind noise, but some road noise came through to passengers.

Rear-seat legroom of 34 inches was fine for me — someone 5 feet 4 — and there's hardly a hump in the middle of the rear floor. But three adults back there would sit touching each other.

Everyone in the ILX rests on comfortable cushions that have some give as well as support. Everyone has a head restraint, too.

Standard safety equipment includes antilock brakes, front, side-seat and curtain air bags, traction control and electronic stability control.

Fun touches: A driver can select the color for the background of the information display on the dashboard, and Pandora radio interface is standard.

Interestingly, the ILX test car had a memorable "clean" smell inside. It was pleasant but not the usual chemical-laden "new car smell."

The styling of the ILX also turned heads.

The ILX has been the subject of a safety recall. Last month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said a cable connecting a door handle to a door latch might become loose and affect the ability of the door latch to operate properly.

Courtesy of Fox News

Happy Monday fans! Here is a Monday maintenance tip to help you drive safely on those rainy days!

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Before you go

• Wet-weather driving demands gentle use of all the main controls - steering, clutch, brake and accelerator - and a larger allowance for errors and emergencies. When you begin a journey in rain, your shoes will be wet and liable to slip off the pedals. Scuff the soles on the rubber matting or carpeting of the car before you start the engine. All motorists should regularly check that their headlights, tail lights, brake lights and turn signals are working properly.

Acura, together with Autoweek, is hosting the Acura ILX All Access Ride and Drive across five different cities. The event showcases Acura's latest in design, performance and innovation. Watch the video below to experience the Acura ILX for yourself!

Take a look at this fantastic offer for those who have served our country! Don't miss out on this great opportunity.

Click Here for Details!

Shortlist the 2013 Acura for luxurious but practical driving

Let me be the first to say that I loved driving the 2013 Acura ILX times two. Love it, really! In fact, I really didn’t want get out from behind the wheel.

Let’s face it, that’s saying a lot for someone who drives a different car every week.

This is on my shortlist of cars I would take home with me.

What really drew me to this car was the fact that it got good fuel economy, handled really well and felt like a luxury car since it was easy to drive, maneuver and navigate all around.

The 2013 Acura ILX is an all-new model for Acura, but I predict it will be a successful one.

Competition includes other “new generation compacts”; look at the Honda Civic, Buick Verano, Audi A3 or the Lexus CT 200h.

Offered in two trims, you get the base or the Hybrid. The standard is the same for both with few exceptions including 16-inch wheels, a sunroof, power accessories, keyless ignition/entry, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, and all the audio goodies like auxiliary audio jack, USB/iPod interface, and Pandora integration.

You can also opt for the Premium Package with 17-inch wheels, xenon headlamps, fog lamps, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power driver seat, advanced rearview camera, and an upgraded seven-speaker sound system with satellite radio.

The Technology package, which you can opt for on the base or the Hybrid, but not on the ILX, comes with the 2.4-liter engine has everything you get in the Premium package plus a hard drive-based navigation system and surround-sound audio with digital music storage.

Under the hood the engine on this Acura is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 150 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque and that’s with a five-speed automatic transmission.

With the 2012 Acura ILX Premium package there is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine option with 201 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. On this one, it’s a six-speed manual transmission only.

The Hybrid trim has a 1.5-liter four-cylinder with an Integrated Motor Assist, electric motor also for power boosting when needed and braking energy is used for the electricity as needed to recharge the hybrid lithium-ion battery pack. The gasoline engine will give you 111 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque. As well as a continuously variable automatic transmission is standard here.
Safety on the 2013 Acura ILX offers antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front seat side and side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. Of course, the rearview camera, which is a standard, also keeps things safe.

Inside was where I really felt at home and comfortable and the design inside is cool too. Techie goodies are the five-inch display screen and all the knobs and controls are easy to find and use.

Special care was used in designing the seats to be supportive, yet not give the impression of confinement or hardness. The ILX is also spacious for a compact car with decent backseat space for passengers.

The trunk size is 12.4 cubic feet and the rear seat also folds down for hauling longer items, but not larger necessarily, because the backseat is not split. With the hybrid trim you lose 10 cubic feet of space due to the battery pack.

Acceleration is ideal even with the standard engine and that, coupled with an uber-comfortable ride, spaciousness and good price, well, all I can say, is sign me up now. 

Should You Need to Know: It’s a reasonable starting price so it is hard to argue with that. Indeed, the Acura ILX sedan is for those car buyers who want something sporty and nice, but who don’t want the price tag of a luxury car just yet.

Miles Per Gallon: The Acura ILX, which I drove, got 24 miles per gallon in the city and 35 miles per gallon on the highway.

Cost: I drove the 2013 Acura ILX with the Tech package and it came in at $32,295.

Courtesy of WashingtonTimes.com

Happy Monday fans! Here is a maintenance tip to help you drive home on those dark nights.

Use your lights courteously.

Turn your headlights on one hour before sunset to make it easier for other drivers to see you in early twilight. Keep your headlights on at least one hour after sunrise. Refrain from flashing your high beams at a vehicle with its high beams on, this will only increase the chance that drivers will not be able to see. In fog, use low beam headlights; high beams reduce your own ability to see and may temporarily blind other drivers. If your vehicle is equipped with fog lamps, use them with your low beams only when there is fog or inclement weather.

Another fantastic review for Paragon Acura! Keep them coming team!

Paragon Acura - (5) Star Review on DealerRater

• I have been an Acura customer since 1990. I've purchased four Acura vehicles from this dealership since 2004. My last three purchases I've dealt with saleperson Sam Yip. He's always been a fair, respectful and a gentleman with me. I just purchased my New 2012 Acura MDX from Paragon Acura and I dealt with Sam Yip and Jeritza Mejia. I will highly recommend both these saleperson. Jeritza Mejia is a very hard worker and she will make you feel appreicative and comfortable through out your purchasing experience. Give them both a chance and hopefully you will not be dissappointed with your purchasing experience. -Suavehoney

Tyson meets with Acura Senior Manager John Watts at his local Acura dealer in Phoenix, AZ to see his handpicked accessories installed on the ILX.