We’re on the Road in the 2008, Acura RDX.
The Good: Long list of standard features, good curbside appeal, very safe; entry level crossover SUV
The Bad: More sport than utility, road noise is a bit louder than others in the category; more plastic in the interior than other vehicles in this segment
Overall: The RDX excels at being a sporty 5 passenger crossover with a comfortable cabin and great technology
The RDX is Acura’s five passenger entry level luxury crossover SUV. The Powertrain consists of a 2.3 Liter 4 cylinder turbo engine, outputting 240 horsepower and 260 lb foot of torque, coupled to a five speed automatic transmission and Acura’s super handling all-wheel drive, all are standard.
The RDX is very sporty, from the front facia that looks like the face of an angry racer ready to take on the road. The integrated Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights also look sharp! It’s retains the sharp handling and responsiveness of a car, while offering some utility function as well.
Safety
The Acura RDX scored well in crash tests by the IIHS, earning a five star rating *(the best possible) in front and side, driver and passenger tests. Also reassuring are ABS (Anti-Locking Braking) as well as VSA & TCS (vehicle stability assist and traction control system) which come standard on the RDX. The 5 passenger crossover has side impact door beams, active front head restraints, and a full compliment of airbags for front and back that include Occupant Position Detection, rollover sensor and dual stage, dual threshold front bags. Also find mirror integrated turn signals and a theft deterrent system with electronic immobilizer.
Driving Impressions
The Acura performed well in our road test, packing enough horsepower to help you out of sticky driving situations. Handling was solid, responsive and much lighter (without being numb) than you might expect from a 3900 lb 5 passenger crossover. Road noise is a bit louder than others in the class, but it’s not troublesome. Perhaps a 6 cylinder would seem like the obvious choice for this class of vehicle, you would almost expect it. Acura uses the turbo charged 4 cylinder, which is a great trade, because you don’t loose much performance, but you gain considerable MPGs, and with gas at an all time high, we like the fact that the RDX is a 4 cylinder turbo.
The Way You Feel Inside
No step stool is needed to jump into the RDX. Check the clean straight forward analog gauge cluster. There’s literally a space for everything in Acura’s RDX. Find a compartment in the armrest and a mountainous center console. Drivers will also appreciate lighting accents that make it easy to see in the dark (without experiencing momentary blindness of turning on & off conventional incandescent interior lights) with the handsome ambient lighting that has become common in new vehicles.
The controls are well placed in the RDX. Find obvious buttons for AM/FM/XM and the CD player. Designers chose varying button sizes to make it easy to distinguish between audio, climate and other controls. At a glance, change between vehicle status messages to navigation maps. The Acura is Bluetooth enabled and features a voice recognition system that will operate radio and air. You’ll find dual zone climate control, and heated seats, interesting down angled dash leading away from the gauge cluster and a large glove box.
Customize the RDX to your heart’s content, with a ski rack, special body molding for the sides, a front underbody spoiler, and even a snowboard rack. This crossover will appeal to those who enjoy outdoor sports and need a car that can handle all terrain and still provide decent space to pack accoutrements. There are also numerous interior accessories to help extend its capabilities even further. From the backseat organizer to the cooler bag that rests inside the front console, there is really something for everyone including the: wood trim, a wood steering wheel garnish and a first aid kit.
Stowage
Here’s what you can expect in the way of storage space inside the RDX. Fold the rear seats down (although they don’t lay exactly flat) and you’ll have 60.6 cubic feet. With the rear seats up find 27.8 cubic feet ample storage for the grocery shopper. Options exist to extend your storage with a roof rack; and the tow package (towing capacity up to 1500 lbs).
By the Numbers
The EPA rating system changed for 2008, so it’s not possible or fair to compare previous years fuel economy to ’08s. By the new 2008 fuel rating the RDX is rated at 17 city / 22 highway, and we averaged 20 MPG on Premium fuel, between city and highway driving.
Sticker Price
The entry price for the Acura RDX is $33,200. Opt up for the technology package, the MSRP is $36,695
