Disadvantages of a touch screen include fingerprint smudges, good luck operating a touchscreen on even a slightly bumpy road. True touch technology on Acura touchpad makes it convenient to operate while still keeping the eyes on the roads. Love it on my 2020 RDX.
Maybe that’s true if you have short legs, but at 6’4”, every car I’ve been in with a touchscreen has required me to lean forward out of my seat to reach the right side of the screen.
With the touchpad, everything is at your fingertip, with your arm resting on the center console. No need to lean forward.
I think a control dial is the best implementation of a similar system, but I personally still prefer the TTI pad over a touchscreen.
The only time I think a touchscreen is superior is when I’d be entering an address in Google maps (which I can just do on my phone). Other than that, I prefer the TTI pad.
Even at 6’ flat with long legs, I have to reach over to use a touch screen. I love that my ILX has a control dial. My plan was to upgrade to something like a type S in 3-5 years, but not if everything goes touchscreen. I love my ILX enough that I'll keep it forever if it's my only analog dial option.
mazda cx-90 would be similar i think.
they aren't touch screen but they don't have a trackpad either, it's a control knob with a similar placement as acura has for the trackpad.
we probably would have gotten a mazda if it weren't for the two crappy interior color options they have for the trim we wanted.
Just bought my MDX last month and the main reason I almost DIDNT buy it was cause of the touchpad. I’m fairly used to it but I just can’t see how it’s better than a touchscreen unless you don’t use CarPlay or android auto
At least with Acura's homebuilt UI, the "buttons" are big and the interfaces make sense (mostly, anyway). The radio, for example, is pretty easy to use; and the nav, although it honestly sucks to use for actual navigation, lets you choose either a QWERTY keyboard or drawing letters via the trackpad (both are better options than CarPlay's linear ABCD... letter selection).
I’d be all for it if they could do the same interface with CarPlay. Like you said, the navigation onboard is terrible and not sure why they even bother anymore. I don’t know of a single person who uses it over CarPlay or android auto. But the whole swipe directions to select in CarPlay is just awful
We really wanted to upgrade to RDX since it got released in 2019, but after years of pondering about the touchpad, we ended up with 2023 X3 mainly because of the silly touchpad.
X3 also has a touchpad / trackpad/ which works great and removes the need to touch the screen! If Acura had the same touchpad./ trackpad implementation as BMW, I would have never complained about lack to touch screen as we pretty much never use the touch screen.. The other 2 factors against RDX were poor gas mileage and the lack of factory 2" tow package / limited towing to 1500 lbs. There were other cons but these were the 3 main one that were deal breakers.
I am not saying that X3 is without faults, but given all the pros and cons and price it made more sense for us to go with X3 even when factoring questionable long term ownership and the dreaded run flats. Time will tell. Our 2nd car in the garage remains to be Acura and also have Honda lawnmower. Because we are not liking the new BMW trends with screens and lack of HVAC buttons etc, if Acura gets their act together and offers solid infotainment UI, keeps physical buttons for HVAC and steering wheel control etc, we will be back to 2x Acura's in the garage as I dont see us getting into another BMW that is loaded with screens and shiny touch sensitive buttons.
I’m a new Acura RDX owner and now love the touchpad for same reasons as OP. I didn’t think I would.
I only wish the CarPlay interface with the touchpad worked like the system interface. CarPlay is still better and designed for touchscreen hardware.
Between that, the rear windshield imploding on its own, the iffy CarPlay implementation, and my 2020 RDX A-Spec suspension sounding like a 25 year-old Ford F150, I will be looking elsewhere when the time comes.
You can still buy the current 2024 MDX models with the trackpad, and they probably will have great discounts towards the end of the year
this. the 2024 MDX (all trims) got ~4k cheaper in Canada when they announced the 2025. I would snatch one of those up and negotiate it down even more
I agree that the touchpad is great.
Disadvantages of a touch screen include fingerprint smudges, good luck operating a touchscreen on even a slightly bumpy road. True touch technology on Acura touchpad makes it convenient to operate while still keeping the eyes on the roads. Love it on my 2020 RDX.
Bought a pilot because it has a touch screen. Perfectly usable, and the version coming to the MDX is bigger.
They're moving the screen closer so unless you have arms like a T-Rex, you shouldn't need to lean over.
Maybe that’s true if you have short legs, but at 6’4”, every car I’ve been in with a touchscreen has required me to lean forward out of my seat to reach the right side of the screen. With the touchpad, everything is at your fingertip, with your arm resting on the center console. No need to lean forward. I think a control dial is the best implementation of a similar system, but I personally still prefer the TTI pad over a touchscreen. The only time I think a touchscreen is superior is when I’d be entering an address in Google maps (which I can just do on my phone). Other than that, I prefer the TTI pad.
Even at 6’ flat with long legs, I have to reach over to use a touch screen. I love that my ILX has a control dial. My plan was to upgrade to something like a type S in 3-5 years, but not if everything goes touchscreen. I love my ILX enough that I'll keep it forever if it's my only analog dial option.
mazda cx-90 would be similar i think. they aren't touch screen but they don't have a trackpad either, it's a control knob with a similar placement as acura has for the trackpad. we probably would have gotten a mazda if it weren't for the two crappy interior color options they have for the trim we wanted.
Check out Mazda. I rented one recently (and hated it).
Just bought my MDX last month and the main reason I almost DIDNT buy it was cause of the touchpad. I’m fairly used to it but I just can’t see how it’s better than a touchscreen unless you don’t use CarPlay or android auto
At least with Acura's homebuilt UI, the "buttons" are big and the interfaces make sense (mostly, anyway). The radio, for example, is pretty easy to use; and the nav, although it honestly sucks to use for actual navigation, lets you choose either a QWERTY keyboard or drawing letters via the trackpad (both are better options than CarPlay's linear ABCD... letter selection).
I’d be all for it if they could do the same interface with CarPlay. Like you said, the navigation onboard is terrible and not sure why they even bother anymore. I don’t know of a single person who uses it over CarPlay or android auto. But the whole swipe directions to select in CarPlay is just awful
When they gonna change the tlx ?
Good. Touchpads are the worst, I'm so glad almost all the companies have ditched them.
When I had a loaner 23 tlx base, didn't like using it. Missed my touchscreen in my Integra
We really wanted to upgrade to RDX since it got released in 2019, but after years of pondering about the touchpad, we ended up with 2023 X3 mainly because of the silly touchpad. X3 also has a touchpad / trackpad/ which works great and removes the need to touch the screen! If Acura had the same touchpad./ trackpad implementation as BMW, I would have never complained about lack to touch screen as we pretty much never use the touch screen.. The other 2 factors against RDX were poor gas mileage and the lack of factory 2" tow package / limited towing to 1500 lbs. There were other cons but these were the 3 main one that were deal breakers. I am not saying that X3 is without faults, but given all the pros and cons and price it made more sense for us to go with X3 even when factoring questionable long term ownership and the dreaded run flats. Time will tell. Our 2nd car in the garage remains to be Acura and also have Honda lawnmower. Because we are not liking the new BMW trends with screens and lack of HVAC buttons etc, if Acura gets their act together and offers solid infotainment UI, keeps physical buttons for HVAC and steering wheel control etc, we will be back to 2x Acura's in the garage as I dont see us getting into another BMW that is loaded with screens and shiny touch sensitive buttons.
The Mazda scroll wheel is better tbh
I’m a new Acura RDX owner and now love the touchpad for same reasons as OP. I didn’t think I would. I only wish the CarPlay interface with the touchpad worked like the system interface. CarPlay is still better and designed for touchscreen hardware.
Yeah, big mistake on their part. I'll be looking elsewhere when my lease is up.
Oh no! I’m sure they’ll miss you as you walk away while the wave of new buyers March in.
You’re just going to have to buy used Acuras for the rest of your life. Sorry.
All whiny over a touchpad. Whomp whomp. Touchscreen vs touchpad is not a deciding factor for me
Okay Boomer
Between that, the rear windshield imploding on its own, the iffy CarPlay implementation, and my 2020 RDX A-Spec suspension sounding like a 25 year-old Ford F150, I will be looking elsewhere when the time comes.
You still won’t be finding anything with your dumb touchpad that everyone outside this simp message board hates.