2008 Acura RDX Video

2008 Acura RDX Video Transcript

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>> We pretty much fell in love with the 2007 Acura RDX, what geek wouldn't? But it wasn't perfect, so let's find out if the 2008 model fills in some of the missing pieces, and whether this is the ultimate ride for the discriminating nerd. [ music ] Now the heart and soul of the technology package lives right here in this eight inch LCD. Once again, it looks like it should be a touch screen, and once again it's not. It's actually controlled by this knob here in the middle, which is pretty complex. You've got turning the knob to control certain things, you have pressing the knob to select certain things. But you also have a rocker function, so it gets to be a little much sometimes. There are also other controls here, actually there are a lot of controls on the steering wheel. It kind of adds up to a little bit of confusion pretty quickly. Now the screen in the center doubles as a backup camera when the vehicle's in reverse. You don't have any controls or warnings or guidelines in the backup camera, just your basic camera feature. We also get some features in the '08 RDX that were missing in last year's model. For example, finally an AUX in jack which is nice, although there is no iPod add on available from the dealer. You'll also get memory buttons for the driver seat controls, which is a nice touch in a car in this price range, and keyless entry which incredibly was not in the '07 model. The passenger seat by the way, still manual controls. On the plus side you have the stereo. The stereo is nice. There's a six disc CD changer, support for MP3 and WMAs of course, but it also takes DVD audio discs, and supports 5.1 surround sound, this is a big plus. And you can tell that it's meant to be a geek car, cause there's a center storage console here that locks, that is big enough to hold a laptop. There's also a twelve volt power outlet down in here which is nice, but you know what? If you're really gonna be a gadget lover car, would it kill you to put a full size power outlet in there? The RDX really shines with its voice navigation. For example, let's say you want to find a restaurant. Find nearest Mexican restaurant.

>> Please select the number of the correct place in Mexican -

>> So then if I scroll down to number two here I have a little Z symbol, and then I see my Zagat rating. So let's go for two.

>> Would you like to calculate a route?

>> Yes.

>> Second left turn, then next left turn.

>> Now it also features Bluetooth wireless integration, but this is my big quibble here. None of that is available in an on screen menu. The only way to pair the system with your phone is to go through a complicated series of voice commands. And frankly, you would probably need the manual to figure out how to do it, and no geek should ever have to use the manual. [ background music ] Under the hood the RDX really wants to be a performance car. You'll find a 2.3 liter variable turbo inter cooled four cylinder engine. It's actually pretty powerful, 240 horsepower with 236 pounds of torque. Not bad gas mileage, it's rated at seventeen twenty two. No turbo lag to speak of in stop and go driving, which is impressive. Our car had an automatic transmission with an all wheel drive drive train. Now you can also shift down here into sport mode, and that lets you manually up shift and down shift using paddles here on the steering wheel. Although frankly, this car shifts so well in automatic mode that I found this to be more of a novelty feature than anything else. [ background music ] A base model RDX is thirty three one ninety five, with about a seven hundred fifteen dollar destination charge. Add in the technology package and it's another thirty five hundred, which is not a bad price for the geekiest car on the road. ^M00:03:41 [ music ]