2009 Acura RDX Review

The compact RDX crossover vehicle from Honda's Acura luxury division combines sportiness and utility and wears a racy body. It's sort of an upscale sports sedan with good utility.

The RDX arrived as a 2007 model. It was the first Acura with a turbocharged engine and the automaker's first premium crossover. It hasn't changed much and is in good company, with rivals such as the BMW X3, Infiniti EX35 and Land Rover LR2.

Acura really lays it on when it says the RDX was designed "as the ideal vehicle for drivers with energetic lifestyles who need a compact, sporty and responsive weekday ride and a weekend getaway vehicle with versatility to match their diverse and active recreational lifestyles." Sounds like that was written by someone who overdosed on caffeine, although the RDX should satisfy such seemingly breathless people.

The RDX still looks right in style, with such features as aggressively raked body sides, steeply raked windshield, short rear overhang and large wheel arches housing big 18-inch wheels and 55-series tires. Large dual exhaust outlets add to the sporty look.

A unique rear hatch is finished with a replaceable panel to reduce the cost of accident repair.

The 2009 model gets a power front passenger seat to accompany the power driver's seat and a few new colors, including the striking Grigio Metallic on my test RDX.

The RDX comes as a well-equipped $33,695 base model and as a $36,995 version with a Technology Package, which is its only option.

That package contains an upscale 10-speaker sound system designed by a Grammy award-winning sound engineer, besides information and communications features including a navigation system and traffic information to help RDX owners avoid jams on expressways in 77 metropolitan areas, including Chicago.

The package provides communication between Acura and the RDX -- providing owners with the latest service requirements -- and a rearview camera to make parking easier. Acura spokesperson Jessica Fini noted that the package's dual-zone automatic climate controls include a GPS-linked solar-sensing climate control that keeps one side of the interior cooler if the sun is hitting it harder. (Regular dual-zone automatic climate controls are standard.)

Comfort and convenience features include items expected in upscale vehicles. They include leather upholstery, heated front seats, power sunroof, cruise control, AM/FM radio with an in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer and the usual power accessories.

Safety items include front- and curtain-side air bags with rollover deployment, traction control, anti-skid system -- and Acura's nifty Super Handling All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. It maximizes traction while improving balance and responsiveness by distributing engine torque not only between the axles, but also between the left and right rear wheels for better handling in curves and during sudden lane changes.

The RDX is among the growing number of sporty crossover vehicles that are easier to enter and maneuver in traffic than regular SUVs. It comfortably seats four tall adults and has a large cargo area with a low, wide opening. The entire rear seat folds forward without removing headrests to enlarge the cargo area to an impressive 61 cubic feet.

There was no room for a potent V-6 in the RDX, so Acura gave it the next best thing that it could slide under the hood -- a turbocharged, intercooled 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. With 240 horsepower and an impressive 260 pound-feet of torque, the RDX does 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds, although it's no lightweight with all its equipment at 3,924 pounds. Power delivery is linear, with virtually no turbo lag.

The engine works with a responsive five-speed automatic transmission with an easily used manual shift feature.

Estimated fuel economy is 17 mpg in the city and 22 on highways. Premium fuel is recommended.

Steering is quick and informative, although rather heavy at low speeds. Handling is sharp, with a suspension and all-wheel-drive system that makes the RDX feel tied to roads. However, rough side streets caused a jumpy ride. The brake pedal is rather soft but has a linear action for well-controlled stops. The powerful brakes have electronic brake force distribution and an assist feature for surer panic stops.

The RDX's low floor makes it easy to slide in and out of the quiet, futuristic-looking interior. Seats are supportive, and backlit gauges can be easily read under all lighting conditions. Climate controls are large, and the adjustable steering wheel has handy audio controls.

However, audio and climate settings are small readouts in a distant dash-top slit. A large central console knob and dashboard screen (that can be hard to read) set audio, navigation and other functions. Rear roof pillars somewhat hamper driver visibility, but large, heated outside mirrors (with turn signals) help here.

The front console has a large, covered bin, but the dual front console cupholders have a lid that partly blocks a driver's access to them when open. The glove compartment is small, but all doors have storage pockets. The rear armrest has dual cupholders and is best yanked down to cover the hard center-seat area. Hand grips above all doors are a nice touch, but the foot-operated parking brake feels dated. The heavy hood lacks a hydraulic strut, so it must be held open with a prop rod, which can get hot and dirty.

One need not be an "energetic lifestyle" person to appreciate the RDX. It has a blend of performance, technology and function that should satisfy sophisticated drivers with all sorts of lifestyles.

2009 Acura RDX 

Price: $33,695-$36,995

Likes: Fast. Distinctive styling. Carlike. Sharp handling. Advanced all-wheel drive.

Dislikes: Occasional jumpy ride. Hood prop rod. Slit-like dashboard audio readouts.