Which looks better: the new or the old?
Much like Lexus, Acura is flirting with polarizing design on its new vehicles. Adopting the bold face of Acura’s updated design language, the new RDX walks the fine line between drawing in customers with its unique styling and alienating more conservative buyers. Is the 2019 Acura RDX too polarizing, or is it exactly what the brand needs?
Acura has made the biggest changes to the front fascia. Like other new Acura vehicles, the RDX features a diamond pentagon grille that is wider than the grille on the previous model. The badge in the center of the grille has grown considerably. The headlamps now feature seven LED clusters instead of five, and just below, the daytime running lights take on a more jagged shape. You’ll also find stronger lines across the hood and bolder air vents down low. On the new A-Spec version, you’re greeted by gloss black accents across the grille and other areas.
Looking at the RDX from its side profile, you’ll notice the new model features a floating roof design that is now very popular among crossovers. The shape of the windows provide the semblance of a fastback design. Across the doors, the 2019 RDX features a thick chrome line, or a gloss black character line on A-Spec models. From this angle, the new RDX looks much less rounded than the old model because of its boxier rear end and more upright nose.
In the rear, the new RDX’s taillights take on a chevron shape. Acura also redesigned the license plate holder with lines that curve downward. You can clearly see the wrap-around rear window on this model, as well as the more prominent tailpipes. There is now no silver bar running in between the taillights.
We don’t know about you, but we’re happy Acura got rid of the dual-screen design from the old RDX. Now, you’ll find a 10.2-inch center display that sits right on top of the center console. A new touchpad interface helps control functions on the display. Instead of the traditional gear shifter that’s on the old model, the new RDX features an electronic shifter with buttons mounted high on the center console. There is also a new head-up display and wide panoramic moonroof.
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