TLX Powertrain

Acura has long been famous for producing safe cars. The RDX is no exception to this rule, garnering a five-star safety rating on tests. What makes Acura’s vehicles safe is a combination of safety features and good construction. In all the tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the RDX performed consistently well, getting good ratings on all of the required tests. What makes Acura’s RDX so safe? Let’s examine the features that make this car one that stands up to scrutiny in the field of safety.

Air Bags

The two 2015 Acura TLX powertrain options include the 2.4L four cylinder engine, and the 3.5L V6. There are advantages to each type of engine, and different drivers will prefer the experience of driving one or the other, so read on to learn a few of the major differences between these two choices.

Mechanical Specifications

The four cylinder variant features a manual, 8-speed transmission, while the V6 offers a shiftable automatic 9-speed transmission. Both types of models are front-wheel drive by default, though four-wheel drive models are available for the V6 engine. The four-cylinder TLX has an average MPG (miles per gallon) of 24 city, 35 highway, while the V6 averages at 21 city, 34 highway. The four-cylinder is recommended to operate with premium unleaded fuel, while on the V6 it is listed as a requirement. Estimated monthly fuel costs for the four cylinder are $187 USD, while on the V6 they are $210 USD.

The four cylinder TLX operates at 206 horsepower at 6800 RPM, while the V6 operates at 290 horsepower at 6200 RPM. This translates to a significant performance boost for the V6, though clearly the four cylinder is no slouch. In terms of exterior features, the only difference between the two models is in tire size – the four cylinder TLX features 225/55R17 tires, while the V6 TLX uses 225/50R18 tires. There is no difference, by default, between the interiors of either model. Both powertrains also feature the same warranty: a basic warranty for four years or fifty thousand miles, and a drivetrain warranty of six years or seventy thousand miles.

The Bottom Line

If you’re still having trouble deciding which model is right for you, the question likely comes down to a balance between cost, performance, and driving style. Given the slight increase in cost for a month’s operation in terms of fuel and maintenance (V6 engine tend to be slightly more expensive to maintain), overall the V6 variant will cost about five thousand USD more up front and about twenty-five to fifty dollars more a month to maintain, in exchange for enhanced performance and power.

Inside The Acura RDX’s Five Star Safety Rating

For any car that has crash protection, the most major of injury prevention features available are air bags. In the RDX, frontal air bags are available for both the driver and the front passenger. Curtain air bags are also available for the driver, front passenger and rear seat occupants. The driver and front passenger also have the benefit of well-placed torso and pelvis air bags to prevent lower body contact with the car. Additionally, the air bags are positioned so as not to cause injury on deployment, increasing the overall safety of the vehicle.

Seat Belts

Belts are available for all passengers, both front and rear occupants. The seat belts are standard and the driver and front passenger get the benefit of having adjustable upper belt anchorage. There is a seat belt reminder system in place that allows for the car to inform the driver or passengers that their seat belts are not properly fastened.

Additional Safety Features

The built-in rollover sensor system is designed to deploy the curtain air bags in the event of a pending rollover of the vehicle. The vehicle also comes equipped with Anti lock brakes, daylight running lights and electronic stability control, allowing for increased levels of safety while in activity.

Overall, when we take a look at the Acura RDX, one thing stands out: the lengths to which safety has been put into the design of this vehicle. There is safety in almost every aspect of the car’s design. Acura has gone to great lengths to make the RDX one of the safest vehicles on the road today.

Acura RDX vs MDX

Acura has long been a name that drivers can trust for their dedication to safety and their affordable nature. With the new releases on the market of Acura Vehicles, two of the front runners stand out as true competitors in the field: The RDX and The MDX. These two amazing vehicles have managed to make a well-deserved name for themselves and reviews of both are positive. Both these remarkable vehicles have been touted by Acura dealers around the country since the lines were released. They seem to be well built and both maintain Acura’s reputation for safe vehicles. But which one of them is truly better? Here we seek to answer that question.

Size

The MDX is a large vehicle, of that there is no doubt, and it surpasses the RDX in the size category. The increased size gives benefits to its carrying capacity. The MDX can safely seat up to seven people whereas the RDX has a maximum seating capacity of five people. In many cases, larger is better and depending on the amount of people you’ll be carrying, the extra size does tend to come in handy. In some cases, more is better and this is one of those cases. The smaller size of the RDX makes it a much better car for moving around in tight spaces than the MDX.

Cost

The RDX is the less expensive of the two vehicles with an estimated retail value starting at $38,880. The MDX, by comparison, clocks in at $55,340 as a starting price, making it more expensive. However, the costs should be considered based on what you get for that price. The RDX is clearly expensive in its class. The MDX, by comparison, costs more, but comes with far more features and usability. The sheer amount of features that the MDX carries in comparison to the RDX clearly justifies the price difference.

Overall, the RDX is cheaper than the MDX. The RDX is smaller and has less cargo and passenger space than the MDX, but that also makes the RDX a more maneuverable vehicle. Given a choice between the two, the RDX is by far the better buy, since it gives you far better value for money. The RDX has its benefits over the MDX, and despite the hefty price tag, it does what it does with a minimum of fuss. If you’re looking for a dependable mid-range vehicle, the RDX will suit your needs just fine.

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