A Week With: 2021 Acura RDX PMC Edition

The unhealthy information for anybody contemplating the 2021 Acura RDX PMC Version luxurious SUV is that solely 360 examples shall be constructed. After they’re gone, that’s it, there received’t be any extra.

The excellent news for Acura itself is that solely 360 examples of the RDX PMC Version shall be constructed. That’s as a result of it’s going to take a sure sort of SUV purchaser who not solely desires an RDX loaded to the gills with each obtainable choice, however somebody who thinks the colour of a site visitors cone is simply too demure. 

In-built the identical manufacturing unit as Acura’s NSX supercar, the RDX PMC Version will get the identical hand-built therapy and one of many NSX’s most head-turning (or stomach-churning) colours, Thermal Orange Pearl.

Overview

The “PMC” within the RDX PMC Version title stands for Acura’s Efficiency Manufacturing Heart, positioned in Marysville, Ohio. This occurs to be the place the posh model’s 573-horsepower mid-engine NSX supercar is assembled. 

It’s additionally dwelling to 2 earlier PMC Version Acura autos, one primarily based on the 2020 TLX sedan, the opposite on the 2020 MDX SUV. Just like the RDX, these had been restricted version fashions capped at 360 examples apiece. Each the TLX and MDX PMC fashions shared an extremely deep shade of purple, known as Valencia Purple Pearl.

So, now it’s the RDX’s flip for the PMC therapy. Like its forebearers, this PMC Version doesn’t get any further increase in torque or horsepower. That’s wonderful, contemplating the RDX in front- or all-wheel drive format is an agile and peppy five-passenger compact SUV.

The large change is that the purple paintjob has been changed by Thermal Orange Pearl. That, and each obtainable characteristic and choice bundle has been included from the RDX’s three major choice packages: Know-how, A-Spec, and Advance.

Exterior

The usual RDX is a good-looking compact SUV that doesn’t use wild particulars or an unlimited grille – we’re taking a look at you Lexus – to make a styling assertion. In regular circumstances, the RDX could be a gorgeous and pretty delicate luxurious SUV.

Nevertheless, throw a hand-painted shade of vivid orange paint onto the RDX and stand again! 

The RDX PMC Version is probably going the best car to search out in a crowded parking zone. Gloss black exterior highlights are added within the entrance grille, brake ducts, and alongside the facet window frames. The PMC Version can be fitted with black-painted 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped round 255/40 R20 high-performance all-season tires.

In the future a yr, this colour scheme shall be good. Spoiler alert: it’s the final day in October. For the opposite 364 days of the yr, the RDX PMC Version is by itself.

Inside

In comparison with the surface, the cabin of the RDX PMC Version is shockingly tame. There may be orange stitching on the black leather-based seats, steering wheel, and door panels. You’ll additionally spot a small plaque on the middle console, informing you which ones within the sequence of 360 RDX PMC Version fashions you occur to be driving.

As a result of it has each obtainable RDX goodie added onto it, the PMC Version comes with leather-based seating surfaces, heated and cooled entrance seats, 10.5-inch head-up show, and heated steering wheel. The entrance seats are properly bolstered with out going too boy-racer with body-gripping addendum.

House within the second row is ample for 2 adults, or three if everybody agrees to get cozy. The push-pull-press (or no matter it must be formally titled) transmission buttons on the middle console take getting used to. To its credit score, the method is changing into much less weird as extra automakers undertake the same push-button gearbox method.

One inside downside is the Acura Contact Controller, a touchpad on the middle console that controls the infotainment system. It’s higher than the maddening touchpads slowly being phased out of the Lexus vary of vehicles and SUVs. However there’s little question a touchscreen management structure could be easier. It’s not a deal breaker, although you’ll need to take this tech for a take a look at drive on the dealership to know its sensitivity and menu structure.

In the case of cargo hauling functionality, the PMC Version has about 29 cubic toes of house with the rear seats upright. That’s good for a SUV this measurement, and underfloor storage makes the trunk much more helpful. We discovered it good for transporting fragrant takeaway meals – you’re welcome, Acura. 

Powertrain

Regardless of its flashy fashion, the PMC Version shares the identical 272-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with the remainder of the RDX household tree. That’s okay, as a result of it is a punchy powertrain and acceleration is brisk while you jab the fuel pedal. The ten-speed automated is easy and works properly within the background. There are steering wheel-mounted shift paddles however, aside from for a pair blasts onto onramps, we left them alone.

The PMC Version additionally comes with Tremendous Dealing with All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) and adaptive dampers. Grip is ample, although we’d name time period the general journey and dealing with stability as being ‘superb,’ versus ‘tremendous.’ 

Security and Know-how

The RDX PMC Version is fitted with many lively security options, together with ahead collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, head-up show, rain-sensing wipers, rear cross-traffic alert, street departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise management, to call a couple of. In crash testing carried out by the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security, the 2021 RDX earned a Prime Security Choose+ ranking, the very best potential rating.

As we talked about earlier, a touchpad on the middle console controls the ten.2-inch infotainment display. Customary tech touches embrace Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Wi-Fi scorching spot, satellite tv for pc radio, 16-speaker ELS audio system, two USB factors up entrance, plus two further USB ports for rear seat passengers. 

Driving Impressions

From the within searching, there isn’t a lot that’s controversial in regards to the RDX PMC Version. That’s as a result of, regardless of the look-at-me paintjob, it is a regular RDX beneath the sheet metallic.

Granted, it’s a totally loaded RDX, which partly explains the worth (together with vacation spot price) of $52,995. Throughout a mixture of dicing with metropolis site visitors and lengthy stints on the freeway, there’s little to not like in regards to the RDX. The suspension is agency however doesn’t fall to items over tough pavement and potholes. 

Cranking the drive mode selector to the Sport or Sport+ settings added some heft to the steering and urgency to shifts. Then again, the PMC Version is completely acceptable cruising within the Consolation setting, too. 

A pleasant shock was the fluid energy supply of the 272-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 10-speed automated transmission. That is hardly the quickest luxurious SUV on the block, however the acceleration proves not everybody wants a 500+monster machine for his or her commute, or to get the youngsters to highschool. 

Will a 0-60 mph time of roughly 6.5 seconds scare the BMW M Sport or Mercedes AMG crowd? Nope, not one bit. However a tradeoff is the RDX’s affordable EPA-estimated of 21 mpg in metropolis driving, 26 mpg on the freeway, and 23 mixed. That, and it doesn’t price a gazillion {dollars} like some mega-performance SUVs. 

Wrap Up

For those who love the Acura RDX and wish each single obtainable choice, plus the rarity of proudly owning certainly one of solely 360 examples, the PMC Version is smart. 

Shade however, the RDX is roomy, fairly good on fuel, and balances sportiness with on a regular basis driving manners. However can you reside with the Thermal Orange Pearl paintjob each single day? Effectively…

The RDX PMC Version is a wise five-passenger SUV that’s wrapped in a polarizing ‘gotta have it!’ or ‘completely not!’ hue.  

2021 Acura RDX PMC Version — Steadily Requested Questions