Acura RDX
Technotransportation |
By Rick Newman
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Nits: The fan control for the A/C is on the passenger side, an awkward stretch for the driver.
G forces: The RDX has the shape of a greyhound and the legs to match; a turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 240 horsepower and plenty of flash and dash. The ride is less than serene, but tight on corners, with overall handling that's more sporty than soft. Full-time all-wheel drive adds to grip and surety.
Gizmology: You might have trouble figuring out where everything is, but the RDX comes with a ton of features: dual-zone A/C, heated seats, steering-wheel audio controls, a huge center storage box with a false bottom for valuables, comfy armrests, and a useful info display with gas mileage, trip data, and other stuff. But there are also some things missing for a $35,000 car, such as automatic up-down switches on all four windows, not just those in front, and a passenger-side power seat. The array of buttons can also be perplexing. The front defrost button is on the driver's side, for instance, but to hit the rear defrost you have to reach over to the passenger's side.
Kidmarks: I wish I could've ridden in the RDX when I was a kid! The height is ideal, giving toddlers or older kids a great view out, without forcing too much of a climb up. Cupholders pop out of a center armrest, and there are overhead lights for reading or doing puzzles.
Hot or not: Hot. Muscular yet trim.
Pain at the pump: Moderate. Mileage ratings range from 19 mpg/city to 23 mpg/highway. More info: www.fueleconomy.gov
Crash course: Earns 10 stars out of 10 in both the government's frontal- and side-impact test. Rollover resistance rating is four stars out of five. Info: safercar.gov
Standard safety gear: Advanced front air bags, side-impact and side-curtain air bags, antilock brakes, stability control, traction control.
Price points: Base prices range from $33,665 to $37,165. Price as tested: $37,165. (Prices include delivery fees.)
More info: www.acura.com
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Model year tested: 2007
Boy, is there a lot going on in this car. Usually after a couple of days in an unfamiliar vehicle, I start to figure out where all the buttons and gizmos are. But after a full week I was still groping in the RDX. That's partly because controls for different features are crammed all over the dashboard. But it's also because there are so many features to begin with.
Acura, Honda's luxury division, calls the RDX an "entry premium" SUV. That means it's designed for yuppies comfortable spending about $35,000 for a trendy sportabout. The feature list reveals what Honda thinks yuppies want these days. There's a heavy emphasis on electronics and high-tech features, like an electronic throttle, paddle shifters, and a 360-watt stereo system with MP3 capability. The only set of options is the "technology package," which includes a hands-free navigation system that lets you give verbal instructions instead of keying them in, along with real-time traffic updates, sent by satellite. It's the always-on SUV.
The RDX is not flawless, though. The ride is rougher than I expected for an Acura, and the engine a bit louder. Yes, the RDX is an SUV, but not an off-roader; the all-wheel drive is designed for bad-weather traction, not boulders and berms. Still, it has more of a trucky feel than similar-size SUVs such as the Toyota RAV 4 or the Mazda CX-7. Could that be deliberate? Are there 30-something technophiles out there who get their jollies from a bit of a bronco ride? Hmmm. Probably so.
Other than that, performance is quite sound, with lively pickup from a turbocharged four-cylinder 240-horsepower engine. The vehicle has a relatively short wheelbase and feels extremely agile, whether creeping through a parking lot or racing around a cloverleaf. Good visibility, especially out the back, adds a comfort factor you don't get in a lot of SUVs. And the cockpit is plush and fitted. Most of us these days have a love-hate relationship with modern technology. In this car, love wins out.
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