Last month, we touched again on the possibility that we might see an all all-wheel drive lineup from Acura sometime in the future. For some of you, that might make you wonder how big of a move that would be, and the answer might surprise you. Let’s give a brief rundown on which Acura vehicles are available with AWD.

Which Acura models have All-Wheel Drive (AWD)?

Currently, four of five Acura models are available with an all-wheel drivetrain. All of these models come standard with front-wheel drive. The Acura ILX is the only model not offered with AWD.

Here is a list of the models on which AWD is available, along with what kind of AWD system they can be equipped with and how much it costs above the base MSRP to equip them so.

Note that Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive is only available on V6 versions of the TLX and Sport Hybrid versions of the RLX.

This chart we’ve put together lets us draw a couple of conclusions. First, the rumor about Acura becoming an exclusively all-wheel drive brand probably doesn’t hold much water. If we assume that MSRPs remain unchanged, things look ok for crossovers like the RDX and MDX, but it’s a different story for the two sedans. Unless Acura found a way to offer these vehicles at a lower price with all-wheel drive, it’s likely that phasing out the existing front-wheel drive base models would close more doors than it opens.

Second, the good news is that if you want an Acura with AWD, you have lots of really great options. Perhaps the ILX will even see an AWD option in the future. That would be a scenario where everyone wins.

If you have questions about how Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive works or you want to test-drive an all-wheel drive Acura, schedule a visit or just stop by our showroom. The Leith Acura staff will be happy to help you with whatever you need.

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Now we know the Acura NSX is going to be delivered early next year. It is a real thing that is actually happening, even after such a long time waiting, and while a Halo car gives us plenty to talk about, we still have to ask: What’s next for Acura?

Performance for the Rest of Us

The NSX is an incredible car, and the technology utilized in its creation is sure to spread across the rest of the brand eventually, but some of us don’t want to wait for “eventually.”

It was rumored last fall that Acura was considering a more affordable performance option, but there has never been any indication of how that model would shape up. In our attempt to read the tea leaves, we see a couple of options.

Image: Car and Driver

First, we look to the past and see an old nameplate itching for revival. In the 1990s, Acura sold a two-door sport coupe called the Integra. Before it was discontinued, it was sold as the RSX. It functioned as a little brother to the NSX and was a viable option for those who couldn’t justify owning Acura’s peak performance model. That sounds like a familiar role that needs filling once again.

Second, we look to the present where we have the TLX, a comfortable family sedan that could, with some fine tuning and modification, function as a very capable sporting sedan. Another rumor from last fall was that Acura was considering such a sport variant for the TLX. With a more powerful engine, a reworked suspension, and a more aggressive aero kit, it’s definitely doable. We don’t think it’s likely, though, given the established character of the car.

Regardless of the model, we should also remind our readers of yet another rumor from last year, the one where Acura was entertaining the possibility of making all-wheel drive a standard feature on all models. Making all-wheel drive a signature characteristic has had positive effects on other brands, and Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive is one of the most advanced systems in the business. If we get the affordable performance option we’re hoping for, it will be interesting to see if the drivetrain signals this change.

Continued Crossover Dominance

While a new sports car might be what most of us want, it might be that what we need is actually another model to round out Acura’s crossover selection. It’s no secret that the RDX and MDX are Acura’s best-selling models, and Honda has a new small crossover that is ripe for an Acura upgrade.

The Honda HR-V is doing well and filling an expanding niche in the market for couples and young people who want a compact versatile vehicle. Of what we’ve discussed so far, this would be the least surprising new model for Acura. The automotive soothsayers are even whispering the name they think this crossover will be called: the CDX. Sounds believable to us.

Given that all of these possibilities are just that and none of them have been formally announced, the earliest we would see one of these new models is the 2017 model year, and a safe bet would look for a new introduction sometime ahead of the 2018 model year.

We want to hear from you. What option most excites you? Would you prefer seeing something sporty like a new RSX, or would you rather have the practical premium treatment of the CDX? Let us know on your next visit to our store.

For any questions about Acura’s current inventory, call or visit us today at Leith Acura of Cary.

View Inventory

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The 2016 RDX has been updated to better reflect the clear vision and pure DNA found in the newer models of the Acura brand. Walk into a showroom and you will find noticeable similarities between the RDX and its sedan-shaped brethren, the TLX and the ILX.

This homogenization starts at the front with the refreshed Jewel Eye headlamps. Newer Jewel Eyes now have an LED strip underscoring the main diodes, and a yellow LED bar wraps around the top of the bezel to form the turn signals. On regular low beam settings, three jewels light up in sequence, whereas on high beam, all five jewels will be illuminated. The Jewel Eye configuration casts a distributed field of light onto the road ahead, giving the driver’s eyes a more comfortable nighttime experience.

Other visual changes include the current power plenum grille, new LED taillights, and new machine-polished 18” wheels.

Under the hood, the 2016 RDX still offers Acura’s all-aluminum V6 engine. Not only is this engine lighter, but it also features Variable Cylinder Management, allowing the RDX to cruise on only three-cylinders once it gets up to speed. Drivers can still expect the full 279 horsepower when they need it.

If you need another reason to be interested in a new RDX, consider this: Edmunds.com recently named Acura its Best Retained Value® Award winner for luxury brands. This award recognizes “the brands and models that have the highest projected private party residual value five years after their launch, expressed as a percentage of their average True Market Value®.”

As if that wasn’t enough, Edmunds also recognized the 2015 RDX with the Best Retained Value® Award for the category of Entry Luxury SUV. The new ILX won the award in the Entry Luxury Car category.

Acura’s revitalized DNA continues to build on a tradition of stylish and reliable vehicles. If you’re interested in test-driving a new 2016 RDX or another Acura in our inventory, call or visit our dealership today. Leith Acura is proud to serve the Cary area.

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Last month, we were excited to see Acura roll out an updated version of its best-selling MDX crossover. The revised model debuted alongside an updated RDX at the Chicago Auto Show.

Outwardly, Acura’s volume-seller looks pretty much the same, but a lot is happening underneath. The MDX retains its 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 and gains a brand new nine-speed transmission. This new gearbox will save weight and be linked to a push-button electronic shifter. There will also be a tuned up version of SH-AWD available on the 2016 model, complete with a torque-vectoring rear differential.

A variety of packages will be available that can bestow such advanced safety features as Road Departure Mitigation, lane-keeping assistance, forward collision warning, a multiview rear camera, and more to the MDX. Perhaps the best part of this announcement, though, is that the 2016 MDX is available now at our dealership. Call or visit Leith Acura of Cary if you would like us to arrange a test-drive for you.

That’s not the only news, though. You know we love to check in on the rumor mill, and lately we’re hearing that Acura might be getting a smaller crossover notched in below the RDX. Said to be based on Honda’s new HR-V, a car that size gels with the current market trend for premium-segment compact crossovers. Think about cars like the Buick Encore, the Audi Q3, or the Mercedes-Benz GLA and you’ll have an idea of the cars that have establish this segment.

What’s the source for this rumor? John Mendel, executive vice president for Honda America told WardsAuto that Acura was “looking at” the HR-V pretty closely. That makes it sound less like a rumor and more like something with a high probability of being true.

Acura previously had a third crossover called the ZDX which was on sale from 2009 to 2013. That car was based on the Honda Pilot architecture. Perhaps going smaller on the frame (and the price tag) with a luxed-up HR-V will bring Acura greater success. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Source: Car and Driver

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It seems like whenever someone is giving out awards for value, Acura always makes the short list. When you offer a premium product that lasts, that’s hardly surprising. Validation is always something we’re interested in, which is why we were so thrilled to hear that three Acura models were selected by the U.S. News & World Report as “Best Cars for the Money.”

To determine their winners, U.S. News & World Report considers both quality and value, combining those into a composite score. There are twenty-one categories of vehicles to consider. U.S. News uses its own car rankings for the quality component, taking each vehicle’s ranking at the time of calculation into account. Value is determined by weighing a car’s five-year cost of ownership and the average price paid for that car at the time the awards are published.

For 2015, Acura had three vehicles chosen. The Acura MDX was selected for its third straight year of this recognition, the RDX was selected for its second straight year, and the newcomer TLX was selected for the first time, and hopefully not the last.

Michael Accavitti, Acura’s senior vice president and general manager, had this to say about the news:

“Receiving accolades for our best-selling SUVs and our new performance sedan speaks to the powerful momentum that continues to drive the Acura brand forward. Acura’s unique combination of performance, proportion and prestige is delivering value to the customer and the marketplace is taking notice. We’re proud and honored to receive these awards from U.S. News Best Cars.”

U.S. News has been publishing car rankings since 2007. If we can interest you in a test-drive for the MDX, RDX, or the TLX, please call or visit our dealership. Leith Acura is a great place to find a new Acura for sale if you live in Raleigh.

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Last month, Kelley Blue Book named the 2015 Acura MDX its Best Buy in the Luxury SUV/Crossover category. Selected from twelve vehicles considered, the MDX proved after extensive testing and evaluation by KBB experts that its value is unbeatable.

KBB’s Jack R. Nerad had this to say about the award:

“The 2015 Acura MDX is loaded with virtually everything buyers seek in a contemporary luxury SUV, and the MDX is a true standout when it comes to value-for-the-money.”

No doubt this vehicle’s stellar combination of luxury features, cutting-edge technology, and competitive performance ratings helped secure the recognition. In fact, the MDX needs its own trophy case at this point. The award from KBB is just the latest in this list of honors from this year for Acura’s most prolific vehicle:

– Autoguide.com’s “Utility Vehicle of the Year”
– Edmunds.com Top Rating
– U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Luxury 3-row SUV for Families”
– U.S. News & World Report’s “#1 Luxury Crossover SUV”
– Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s “Best Value Award”

Whether you’re aware of how decorated this car is or not, all you have to do is look at the numbers. It continues to lead all Acura sales after another great month. Thousands of people can’t be wrong.

In other news, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee with Jerry Seinfeld is going strong with its fifth season, which wouldn’t be possible without some gratuitous product placement from Acura. Here’s a clip from the latest episode guest starring Fred Armisen.

As your local Acura dealership, we continue to offer you the best selection of Acuras for sale in North Carolina. You can also rely on us for any service or repair. If you need anything at all, call or visit us today at Leith Acura in Cary, just minutes from Raleigh. We look forward to seeing you.

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A nod. That’s how Jerry Seinfeld reacts upon noticing the Acura MDX product placement in the latest episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. The thing is he almost doesn’t notice it, but of course he’s contractually obligated to. Even for most people, the MDX is a car you can’t help but nod at.

For all our talk lately about Acura reshaping itself and discovering anew its performance glory days, we can’t deny that this brand has become supremely adept at producing quality people movers. Looking at the sales numbers from October, the TLX puts in a strong showing, which is what we want to see. But we also see that the MDX is still moving the most units. The RDX also had a solid month, so Acura’s crossover division would appear to speak for itself.

What other crossover comes equipped with Jewel Eye LED headlamps, a multi-view rearview camera, and speed-sensitive wipers? Tri-zone automatic climate control, ample storage, and available remote engine start? A 3.5-liter 290-horsepower V6 engine with a Drive-by-Wire throttle system? Well, maybe we should rephrase the question. What other crossover comes with all of this technology at this price point? That should narrow it down.

There’s even a chance that Acura is taking a cue from the MDX and RDX’s success and entering into the minivan segment. If you think no one drives minivans anymore, think again. A heavily camouflaged van that appears to bear the power plenum was recently spotted, but there are almost no additional details at this time. We can only guess that it would be based on the Honda Odyssey, a class-leading vehicle in its own right.

All this is to say when you see a crossover or SUV from Acura, you should nod. Those cars have earned your attention, your respect, and your silent approval. Drive one today at Leith Acura, your Acura dealership in Cary.

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When you have a class-leading vehicle like the 2014 Acura MDX, it is difficult not to gloat. Sophisticated systems, unparalleled fuel-economy and safety ratings in its class, and absolute luxury all give us reasons to smile and wave goodbye to the competition. Instead, we will … Hmmm … humbly brag.

Yes, consider this our humbled brag.

So why should you consider an MDX as your next vehicle? Let’s try these five reasons:

1. It earned the Best Value Award from Kiplinger’s Personal Finance based upon performance, safety, value, and driving impressions.
2. Acura’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering: solid body structure and hot-stamped one-piece steel doors earned the MDX a TOP SAFETY PICK rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
3. The powertrain is a direct-injected i-VTEC V-6 with fuel-saving Variable Cylinder Management technology, and it still churns out 290 horsepower.
4. Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive: The signature system created by Acura that responds to the driver and the road conditions.
5. The covey of other standard and optional features:
   • AcuraLink – connected car services
   • Agile Handling Assist – synergy between car and driver
   • Keyless Access System with push-button start
   • LED headlights
   • Interior LED lighting
   • Extended Slide second-row seats
   • 8-inch On-Demand Infotainment Display
   • 432-watt sound system
   • Acoustic glass front windows and windshield
   • Lane Keeping Assist System
   • Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow
   • Remote engine start (up to 300 feet)
   • Ultra-wide DVD Rear Entertainment System with HDMI connectivity
   • Front and rear parking sensors

Okay, so that is far more than just five reasons – and not even all that this SUV has to offer! We hope you don’t blame us for being slightly deceitful, but it proved impossible to pare down the lavish, innovative 2014 Acura MDX.

Should you want to drive in such comfort and luxury, we encourage you to stop down at Leith Acura in Cary, North Carolina – just a few minutes from downtown Raleigh. If you have any questions or comments, you may also contact us through comments@leithmail.com.

Prior to e-mailing us, you can also check out our previous blog about the MDX, found here.

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2014 Acura MDX

The Acura MDX, the largest luxury sport utility vehicle for the Japanese automaker, experienced a superior redesigning for 2014. Our most difficult task is to determine where we should begin with the commendations: Consumer Reports magazine lists the MDX as a recommended buy, federal government crash testing resulting in a five out of five stars award in safety, and it leads all other standard gasoline SUVs that have three rows of seats in gas mileage ratings (*20/28 city/highway).

The 2014 Acura MDX also boasts a quieter cabin, greater cargo area, a more powerful engine, and improved handling. Also, for the first time, the MDX is available in front-wheel drive; all previous models came standard with all-wheel drive. The base model is quite luxurious, including leather-trimmed seats with heated front seats, moonroof, climate control (three zones), rearview camera, paddle shifters, power tailgate, premium audio system, light-emitting-diode headlights, and a sleek new exterior with subtle textures.

Yeah, we’re serious.

All MDX models possess a smart, powerful 290-horsepower, direct injection V-6 engine with cylinders that automatically deactivate (i.e. coasting) to save fuel – and it does so seamlessly.

As Vizzini would say, it seems almost “inconceivable” that Acura could improve upon the MDX. It is a tireless commitment to excellence that keeps the Japanese luxury brand motivated to excel in a market saturated with competitors.

No matter the model you seek, Leith Acura Cary has a broad inventory of impeccable new and pre-owned vehicles to suit any taste. Stop by to speak with one of our expert brand ambassadors to find a perfect car, truck, or SUV for you.

If you have any questions or comments, you may also contact us at comments@leithmarketing.com.

As always, we at Leith Cars encourage you to…

Read. Re-post. Reply.

*Based on 2014 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery pack age/condition (hybrid only), and other factors.

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