How quickly did we progress with gearbox technology and end up with 10 speeds in some of today’s premium cars?
It seems like yesterday when 6 speeds were the best we could get until dual-clutch transmissions ushered in the age of the 7-speed automatic gearbox.
You can even get a Porsche 911 with a manual 7-speed, using your own wrist to artfully select the best ratio yourself from the gearbox.
After that, it seemed like a sci-fi concept to imagine an 8-speed or 9-speed trans and they both arrived.
Now that we have 10-speed automatic transmissions, how else can we gauge how far cars have evolved and most importantly – succeeded compared to their cousins from not long ago.
Now ubiquitous, the SUV - and its own very close relative, the crossover - are in a crowded field and therefore the competition has become tougher.
Does the 2022 RDX from Acura have what it takes to leave its mark in both the people’s hearts and minds?
A Crossover With Sport And Luxury In Mind
We think so.
As a subsidiary of Honda, which is known for its technological might and reliability, Acura is more closely focused on the premium and luxury end of the automotive market, like Lexus is to Toyota for example. Or Infiniti to Nissan.
With its RDX, which first debuted in 2007, things have come a long way. Back then, it was a 2.3-liter turbo-charged crossover with 240hp.
Although it was loaded with equipment, comfort features, and safety tech, it was lacking a little in the style department.
Fast forward to the latest 3rd generation model, it has grown up and become a little sharper to look at, possibly less anonymous. Think less Nissan Qashqai and more Lexus UX, for that low-slung, sleek crossover style.
With the design change for 2022, 19-inch wheels go up to 20 for the top-of-the-range A-Spec trim level, while if you’re lucky and get a limited-edition PMC model (Performance Manufacturing Center; made on the same production line as the Acura NSX), your RDX will be sprayed in Long Beach Blue Pearl which looks very good indeed.
Under the hood of the Acura, the old 3.5-liter petrol from the previous model before it was replaced with a 2-liter turbo-four, now making more than 270hp which passes to the road through a 10-speed auto ‘box.
The front-wheel-drive can be swapped out for a special kind of AWD system, the SH-AWD, which can send up to 70% of power rearwards and all that 70 percent can go to just one wheel if needs be.
A Car Which Has Been Designed To Go Places
So with an improved interior, updated equipment, and a stylish exterior to go with the efficient and powerful powertrain, what’s not to love?
As a compact crossover SUV, aimed at the premium luxury demographic, it fulfills its brief.
It will be reasonably capable off-road and includes updated suspension settings, it will be pretty quick for a 2-liter petrol SUV and has everything you need to keep you entertained including the now-essential smartphone mirroring.
Possibly most importantly, it is now more desirable as an object, like a car you can enjoy whether it's just you and your podcasts or family and friends along for the ride.
It only falls down when you consider its place in the ongoing efficiency revolution: unlike the Lexus NX for example, there is no sign of a hybrid drivetrain in view.
What they have done here though is more subtle: utilize a downsized engine with an ultra-efficient 10-speed gearbox, to reach just shy of 30mpg.
According to Acura, these will be available from November with a starting price of 40,000 dollars.