Acura RDX Review

2010 Acura RDX SUV

Knowing that many SUV buyers would rather have sporty on-road dynamics as opposed to off-road prowess, Acura recently unleashed its RDX, a crossover that blends sport-sedanlike handling with the typical SUV traits of all-wheel drive and enhanced cargo capacity. With its turbocharged engine and "Super Handling" all-wheel-drive system, the Acura RDX promises, and delivers, a fun time for driving enthusiasts. In terms of practicality, however, the RDX comes up a bit short, and newer rivals from Europe have more upscale interior designs.

Current Acura RDX

Introduced for the 2007 model year, the Acura RDX is a small luxury crossover SUV. Its turbocharged engine, the first in an Acura product, is a 2.3-liter four-cylinder that makes a strong 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission (with paddle shifters) is standard, and the RDX is equipped with Acura's advanced Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive system. The SH-AWD system instantly transfers torque among the wheels (front and rear, and side-to-side) to optimize steering and handling under every driving situation.

Standard feature highlights include stability control, leather seating, heated seats, xenon headlights and a 260-watt audio system with a six-CD changer. An optional Technology package adds a navigation system (with voice activation and real-time traffic reporting), sun-sensing climate control system and a rearview camera. The stereo also gets upgraded to a 410-watt surround-sound system with 10 speakers and speed sensitivity control.

In reviews, we have found the Acura RDX to be one of the most entertaining crossovers to drive, thanks to its peppy acceleration and agile handling. The one drawback to such a sport-conscious package is that it comes at the sacrifice of some utility. Although there's plenty of space for passengers (the rear seats are nearly as roomy as those in the larger Acura MDX), the 61 (maximum) cubic-foot cargo hold is on the small side compared to most rivals and lacks items like adjustable cargo tracks and a rear parcel shelf.

Used Acura RDX Models

The RDX debuted for the 2007 model year. As it is a fairly new addition to Acura's lineup, used RDXs are essentially the same as the new ones. A few minor changes took place in 2008, when the RDX got an auto-dimming rearview mirror, memory setting for the driver seat, a larger navigation screen and standard Bluetooth connectivity.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.