I am in the market for a vehicle and debating whether to spend $40K on a new CRV or a used RDX/MDX. Anyone also in similar situation and decided to purchase a new CRV? Could you share your reasoning?
What are the trade-offs in terms of reliability, insurance and cost of maintenance if planning to keep the car for 10+ years, new CRV vs used RDX/MDX?
I wanted a hybrid. If I wanted a stronger ICE powertrain, I would have gone RDX. But 23 mpg combined on premium gas was not something I wanted to live with for my road trip car.
I had a choice between similar year RDX or CRV and opted for a Touring CRV. I found that it’s a nice compromise of having a nice looking car both inside and outside, but not having to deal with premium gas and timing belts (which was a big consideration for me). RDX definitely drives better, but if that’s not important to you then go with a top trim CRV.
@Ash
thanks for the info
@Ash
Just to clarify, the 2019 and newer RDX is equipped with a timing chain.
I discarded them from consideration based on the premium fuel requirement.
Devin said:
I discarded them from consideration based on the premium fuel requirement.
Also no hybrid option.
Devin said:
I discarded them from consideration based on the premium fuel requirement.
good point
Devin said:
I discarded them from consideration based on the premium fuel requirement.
good point
Add in worse gas mileage and it was a no brainer.
You can use regular in the RDX. However, we use premium and the gas mileage is horrible. While we love our RDX, if I were in the market today I would go CRV touring hybrid.
Roux said:
You can use regular in the RDX. However, we use premium and the gas mileage is horrible. While we love our RDX, if I were in the market today I would go CRV touring hybrid.
The main reason I wouldn’t buy a used RDX is that so many people run regular gas in them.
Roux said:
You can use regular in the RDX. However, we use premium and the gas mileage is horrible. While we love our RDX, if I were in the market today I would go CRV touring hybrid.
My daughter has a TSX I passed on to her with 200k and my wife had a 2019 Infiniti QX80 which is a huge SUV with a V8 and we never run premium which is ‘required’ with no issues. Quality gasoline in 87 octane is way better than the cheapest premium you find.
I did not consider an RDX. It’s a totally different car. More luxurious, more fun, more expensive, and higher operating costs. If those were features that were important to me, then I would have considered it. For this purchase, though, I wanted reliability, low cost of ownership, and lower purchase price.
Both my daughters have fairly late model low miles MDX’s. They were not considering a CRV but I can say I like our 2024 CRV Sport Touring just as much.
I briefly gave them a look when I started considering a new car. When I realized they had no hybrid version of the RDX, and its fuel economy was atrocious, I closed the tab in my web browser and moved on immediately.
The thing is the Acura is more powerful and the CRV is more fuel efficient. The Acura has a nicer interior and ventilated seats. The CRV is cheaper and will likely last longer due to it being newer although both are reliable. It depends on what you value. If you have the money and don’t care about fuel economy RDX is the way to go since it’s simply more fun to drive.
I wish I bought a 22 RDX with the 2.0t it’s the de-tuned type r engine. Find one that’s CPO with less than 30 k miles.
Juno said:
I wish I bought a 22 RDX with the 2.0t it’s the de-tuned type r engine. Find one that’s CPO with less than 30 k miles.
Which CRV model do you have?
We did. We didn’t like the new hybrid CRV. It feels like such a money grab with features that were standard on the last generation now only on the touring trim. Wtf is that? And no spare? Dumb. We looked at, and quickly noped tf out, based on the '25 still having the mousepad. It is honestly the dumbest thing I’ve seen on a Honda. The '26 RDX model removes the whole track pad nonsense so maybe then? … The search for a vehicle continues.
@Frost
What do you mean by the mousepad?