Spy Shots: Acura RDX getting shield grille
by Chris Shunk on Dec 2nd 2008 at 9:28AM 
If you've been sitting on the car-burying sidelines waiting for Acura's buck-tooth treatment to make its way to the front end of the RDX, we have good news for you. Spy pics of the 2010 RDX show that Honda's premium crossover will soon sport the love-it-or-leave-it shielded grille. Closer inspection of the front clip shows that the fog lamps and front bumper will also receive a visual tweak. The current model's uninterrupted bumper breaks at the lower air dam, which could provide some visual relief to the RDX's somewhat awkward mug. The minor update to the front end comes after only three model years of the inaugural RDX, a trend Honda will likely continue to keep up with the competition. Acura's shielded grille theme hasn't been met with glowing praise so far (TL, anyone?), but perhaps it will look better on the larger face of a crossover... hopefully. Thanks for the tip, Tim![Source: TOV]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
dukeisduke 9:36AM (12/02/2008)
Shield grille? Butt.ugly.
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Craig 9:59AM (12/02/2008)
Looks like a parrot fish.
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Khanh 10:07AM (12/02/2008)
Keira knightley is beautiful, now lets proceed to wrap a hannibal lecter mask around her face
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Red 10:11AM (12/02/2008)
You're implying the RDX had a pretty face to begin with...
It looks better than the current car. Or so it seems. It also seems to fit this vehicle better than any of the other vehicles in the lineup, but they really need to make that top of the grille line up with the headlights. That protrusion at the top is awful and ruins the entire idea of the shield.
Not that it was that great in the first place, though the current MDX is the best looking of all of them on the road.
Jay MIller 10:20AM (12/02/2008)
Why didn't they adopt the MDX grille for all their cars?
At least it looks decent.
How does Honda expect to sell luxury cars in a recession when they look so ugly?
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Fernando 10:10AM (12/02/2008)
Has Acura not learned that these grills are ugly? They think their numbers are down because of the recession but their grills probably have a lot to do with it, too.
I own an Acura and won't buy another one until they start designing something nice. I'm really considering the CTS instead.
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Brian 10:16AM (12/02/2008)
TL sales are up for the year, and TSX numbers were also up when it was released. The numbers have dipped, but not by an amount that can be directly attributed to people not liking the shield noses.
I personally don't like them all that much, but sales don't indicate what you're talking about.
dave 10:12AM (12/02/2008)
Funny thing I caught this post...I just happen to be buying a new 2009 RDX this evening. Luckily, I don't really like the transformer grill :)
Looks aside, the RDX is an amazing little suv and I friggin love the turbo on it! (I've taken it for two test drives already)
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Red 10:14AM (12/02/2008)
I dunno where you get your facts from, but the 09 TSX and TL have sold quite well for Acura.
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psu48187 11:09AM (12/02/2008)
They are all new cars for crying out loud, they should be selling well.
BTW TSX sales are down for the year:
http://hondanews.com/categories/1097/releases/4849
I suppose Acura had to do something with the RDX, considering it moved under 700 units last month.
Soulsville 10:15AM (12/02/2008)
Aw Hell Naw, I guess driving away mass amounts of customers is one way to make yourbrand exclusive, and for the few.
*shrugs*
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calGuy 10:23AM (12/02/2008)
It also kinda looks like a Bugs Bunny potato peeler.
Actually, this whole segment is pretty hideous.
X3: Not cute.
Mercedes GLK: Very awkward, top heavy.
Q5: Boooooring
Tiguan: Femine, booooring
Infiniti: Japanese Pacer with Solstice storage
Wagons anyone? Sexy, chic, fast, more efficient & usually discounted. Yes please.
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antrow 10:39AM (12/02/2008)
I think it was a mistake on the first two cars, I wonder if someone has given them positive feedback. I have not read any...
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Torrent 10:54AM (12/02/2008)
from one fugly grille to another...
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David 11:19AM (12/02/2008)
Having seen the new TL in person at the LA Auto Show, I think the new grille doesn't look too bad. It does look terrible in pictures though.
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M 1:42PM (12/02/2008)
I agree. I've posted in these threads before about how I detested the new designs for the TSX and TL, but after seeing them in real life on the dealer's lot I changed my mind.
ugg.tryptophan 2:14AM (12/03/2008)
yeah, i saw the whole new line at th sf auto show, they were...different
happy_penguin 11:25AM (12/02/2008)
I don't understand how Honda can be so stupid. I wish autoblog would accept HTML tags because there isn't a large enough font for me to ask the question:
WHY???!!
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dibbage 11:37AM (12/02/2008)
I have an 09 TSX. That grill saved my bacon when a deer ran in front of me at 70mph. My airbags didnt even deploy.
Acura's cow-catcher (deer-catcher) grill FTW!!!
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Mike P. 1:00PM (12/02/2008)
Damn, that's one fast deer!
...don't you just love the English language..?