GUIDE TO
THE VEHICLE
PROFILES
Recommended vehicles,
identified by a check mark (
!
),
are those that achieved a high
Overall Score in their category.
The score includes our testing,
predicted reliability, owner
satisfaction, and safety. The vehicle
must also have scored adequately
if included in National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration and/
or Insurance Institute for Highway
Safety crash tests.
Overall Score is a composite
score that incorporates road-test
performance, latest results from
the reliability and owner-satisfaction
sections of our exclusive Annual Auto
Surveys of CR members, and whether
certain safety features are standard.
If a range of numbers is given, it
signifies that multiple versions of
the vehicle were tested.
Price is the manufacturer’s suggested
retail base-price range for the vehicle,
and doesn’t include any options or
destination charges. An “E” indicates
an estimated price.
Reliability is our forecast of how
well a model is likely to hold up, based
on the latest results from CR’s Annual
Auto Surveys. Detailed reliability
history charts start on page 86.
Satisfaction is based on the
Annual Auto Surveys; we ask members
whether they would definitely buy
or lease their current vehicle again.
The top score of
5
indicates that
80 percent or more would do so.
The lowest score of
1
means less
than 50 percent would.
Road-test score sums up how
the vehicle performed in our
more than 50 objective and
subjective tests. A range means
we tested multiple powertrains or
versions of the vehicle.
MPG represents CR’s instrumented
measurement of a tested model’s
overall fuel consumption, based on
our city and highway testing. A range
of numbers signifies that we tested
multiple versions.
MPGe (miles-per-gallon equivalent) is
the energy consumption for electric
cars and plug-in hybrids running in
electric mode.
Models that have not been tested
will have an “NA” for Overall Score,
road-test score, and fuel- or energy-
consumption data.
What Our Ratings Symbols Mean
Acura ILX
Acura's entry-level
compact sedan doesn't
have the same degree
of luxury and refinement
as its peers. The 2.4-liter
four-cylinder engine and eight-speed
automatic work well at full steam, but
the transmission suffers from frequent
clunks and hesitations in ordinary
driving, especially when starting up
from a stop. Once underway, it is reluctant to downshift, making the car
seem lethargic when drivers need power. The stiff, jumpy ride and mundane
handling aren't befitting a luxury compact sedan. Road noise is incessant.
The infotainment system is convoluted and overly distracting. Advanced safety
features are mostly standard, but blind spot warning is optional. Acura recently
added lumbar support adjustment for the driver.
OVERALL
SCORE
$25,900-$31,650
RELIABILITY
4
SATISFACTION
1
ROAD-TEST SCORE 61 MPG 28
Acura MDX
This functional, family-
friendly luxury SUV is
comfortable, quick, and
quiet, with space for seven.
The second row folds and
slides forward with the touch of a
button for easy access to the small
third row. The 3.5-liter V6 engine
is silky smooth and delivers
quick acceleration. We measured
a very commendable 21 mpg overall, but the nine-speed automatic
transmission is not always smooth or responsive and its push-button gear
selector takes some getting used to. We also found it to be frustrating to use
the dual-screen control interface. The MDX has a comfortable ride, and the
cabin is quiet. Handling is mundane, but it's ultimately secure. A hybrid version
is also available. Standard safety features include forward collision warning,
automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning.
OVERALL
SCORE
$44,400-$60,150
RELIABILITY
1
SATISFACTION
2
ROAD-TEST SCORE 80 MPG 21
Acura RDX
The RDX drives nicely, but
its very confusing and
distracting controls hurt
the overall package. The
2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder
is paired with a 10-speed automatic
transmission. It's an energetic
powertrain once it gets past its initial
hesitation. We got 22 mpg overall. The
RDX is enjoyable to drive. It feels lively
and engaging, and has nimble handling. We did, however, find the controls to
be extremely distracting because of the fussy touchpad that interacts with the
center screen. It forces drivers to divert their attention from the road too often
and for too long. The push-button gear selector is another frustration. The seats
are comfortable, and interior room is on a par with the class. All RDXs come
standard with the AcuraWatch safety system, which includes forward collision
warning and automatic emergency braking. Blind spot warning is optional.
OVERALL
SCORE
61
$37,600-$47,700
RELIABILITY
1
SATISFACTION
3
ROAD-TEST SCORE 82 MPG 22
Acura RLX
Acura's large sedan has
been freshened recently,
gaining a new 10-speed
automatic transmission
and styling updates. Still, it
falls well short of its competitors and
misses some key attributes that make
up a luxury sedan. The ride is unsettled,
undermining the car's main mission.
Lack of handling agility makes the car
ungainly in corners. A high point is the smooth, responsive 310-hp V6 engine.
Our tested front-wheel-drive model averaged 23 mpg overall with the old six-
speed automatic. The pricey all-wheel-drive hybrid gets an EPA-rated 28 mpg
combined. The spacious cabin is well-made, but it isn't particularly luxurious,
and the complicated controls are frustrating to use. The RLX comes with a suite
of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic
emergency braking, blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic warning.
OVERALL
SCORE
72
$54,900-$61,900
RELIABILITY
3
SATISFACTION
3
ROAD-TEST SCORE 75 MPG 23
64
58
To keep up
with the latest
models as we
test them and to
see free videos
and summaries
of more than
300 vehicles,
check out our New
Cars: A-Z page, at
CR.org/carsatoz.
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