2010 Acura RDX
Crossover utility performance and handling.

The Acura RDX is a compact crossover sport utility designed for athletic performance more than comfortable cruising, if it appeals to the buyer, whose style is enthusiastic on the side. Produce the 2.3-liter four-cylinder with turbocharger and 240 hp, and it is not tamed. Farms, suspensions in turn is expected and not too many compromises. The RDX has many desirable touches inside the cabin, a full set of features, quality and technology.

Overview

The Acura RDX is a crossover SUV developed the upscale category for sporty driving. It has 240 hp, turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a five-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles and a firm independent suspension made for winding roads.

2010 Acura RDX offers a choice of FWD or Acura proven Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, called SH-AWD. The four-wheel-drive system provides for a greater share of power to the rear wheel to the outside corners, so that the balance of the car for better performance through corners. The first four-wheel drive version gets better fuel economy (about 2 mpg) and reduces the purchase price of $ 2000.

RDX is covered with leather, there is no substance. Standard equipment includes a sunroof and dual-zone climate.

In short, the RDX for drivers who do not compromise designed corner for a cozy ride (hence) the taut suspension, but on the search for a superior value.

RDX The 2010 model features revised front and rear, upgraded cabin and additions. There is also a little quieter. The addition of front-drive model is the most important change since the introduction of the RDX as a model 2007th

Model Lineup

The Acura RDX ($ 32.250) comes with leather upholstery, heated front seats, power sunroof, Bluetooth hands free telephone interface, a USB input, XM Satellite Radio, 18-inch alloy wheels with year tires, xenon headlights with headlight washer lights, camera screen in the rearview mirror. The RDX SH-AWD model offers all-wheel drive ($ 34,250).

The RDX with Technology Package ($ 35.620)-upgrade with 10 speakers, 410-watt sound system, navigation system with voice recognition, rearview camera, GPS-linked solar-sensing climate control system AcuraLink satellite communication with real-time traffic and weather information . The technology package is the only option available to and is also on the SH-AWD model ($ 37,620).

Safety features standard on all models are two-stage front airbags, front side airbags, side airbags with rollover sensor, active head restraint whiplash protection, tire pressure sensor, Electronic Stability Program VSA, traction control, four – Anti-disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist . Four-wheel drive is optional.

Walkaround

The Acura RDX wheelbase is about an inch longer than the Honda CR-V, and two inches wider. The appearance of both cars is similar, with revisions for 2010 hairstyle.

RDX is wavy sculpture on the sides, mimicking the big wave.

The nose of the RDX is its specificity. The gate is wide, flat bottom VEE-panel light equally deep plate, the Acura theme, with recessed side rails and front fog lamps and a black panel in the middle, displayed too much snow bank offers clearance.

Behind the C pillar, there is a small window is not easy to recognize because the C pillar is black and the window is tinted so dark. From inside, it offers good visibility, no major blind spots when looking over your shoulder.

Between the new rear lights is a combination of molding the base, almost fat Acura grille and angle of five questions. The lower bumper is obscured, and trimmed points oval tailpipes.

Interior

The scoreboard Acura RDX cascades with colors, textures and layers. The tip is wide and flat black vinyl, it is out of a three-inch strip of dark titanium plastic in the middle, through the screen and basically makes it smooth vinyl in light gray. The top and the plastic strip with minutely raised crossed lines on the diagonal grained, a sort of diamond-like golf ball effect.

On the top face down in the middle of the dashboard under the windshield, is a narrow digital display that shows time, radio stations, the interior temperature setting on both sides of the car, and where the flow of cabin air filters is addressed. She washes her sometimes in sunlight or with polarized sunglasses.

The navigation system is controlled with a knob in the middle of the main center console. He pushes himself up, down, left and right. Acura has an excellent reputation for its navigation systems, and we found them among the best and easiest to use. For 2010, includes the system in real-time weather, traffic and automatic recalculation.

We found blur the rearview mirror. (On the dark side of night that could small backup light), which are often too dark to be useful at dusk or on cloudy days. RDX Technology Package for the camera without a backup image is in the middle of the mirror appears much less useful because of its size. Looking back still works well, of course, but watch the mirror more help for the driver, helping him to identify small children, short metal pole does not propose to parked cars or other things that you want to. You can also accelerate the process of parking. Therefore, we recommend the package of technology.

A compass, automatic headlights and ambient light feet were recorded for the year 2010. Ventilation controls, they say, intuitively, we always have the desired climate.

We found the comfortable perforated leather seats, and the driver can see perch high above the short nose of the car. The driver’s seat is eight-way power lumbar support with power adjustable passenger seat and four-way power. Settings heat front seats are high and low.

The gauges are nicely lit at night, in blue and white. The speedometer is on the left side min, with redline at 6800 rpm and an insert that shows turbocharger. A big speedometer in the center with an information stand inside and on the right side is a place of similar size, a selection indicator of speed and fuel contains level. It would be nice if there is a temperature gauge, because, as you can see the temperature of the engine, using only the information in the speedometer display, scroll and more information. Therefore, it is difficult to see a superheat of development.

The map information can also show that the wheels of power with the SH-AWD, or Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. This system sends more power to the rear wheel to the outside when the car in corners aggressively, which keeps the line (even if it is just the time that you do not want to look) at the box display. There is also a display instantaneous fuel mileage, consisting mpg out of a bar from 0 to 50, but we have not found to be easily read.

The leather-wrapped tilt and telescopic steering wheel feels good in your hand at Busy with 15 buttons and switches, including paddles for upshifting and downshifting of the transmission. It has three floors, 3, 9 and 6 clock, and they are trimmed in aluminum-look plastic, with a design that makes the wheel as a model of a space station.

There are terrible handholds for the completion of the front and rear doors, which we wish all the coaches were.

There is little storage possibilities of Nice and a deep center console compartment, with trays on the floor that reveal a hidden spot that even a few inches deep. It is 16.9 inches from front to back, 12.2 inches deep and 5.5 cm wide, big enough for a laptop, briefcase, or bottles of champagne you to a party, and can be locked.

The brake pedal seems to affect too low, as with the transfer of the left foot rest position to the brake pedal, for those who choose the left foot brake. We would soon catch up on our left shoe on the brake when moving our feet in a position to use the brake.

It seems decent rear seat knee room, we were there a passenger in height, said she had enough room. A claim of 37.7 inches on a level for a midsize sedan, even if you sit more upright in a small SUV like this. The rear passengers have cup holders in the armrests, door pockets and pockets in the front seat backs and the rear 60/40 seats fold flat seat cushion disadvantages of records returned to front seats.

Cargo space behind the rear seat is lowered to the level of the class with 27.8 cubic meters, with back seats, there is 60.6 cubic meters.

Driving Impressions

The most fun you have with an Acura RDX, while driving, as if it is a sports car. Not exactly like a sports car because it is too large and the automated, but it is much more than a motorist exceeding the average level higher Ute cute.

This is the first turbocharged car Acura has ever made. Honda has always been a leader in the small engine and a 2.3-liter turbo is no different. The turbocharger enhances the provision of energy, a lot of high revving four-cylinder Acura TSX, although it does not smooth out the engine. It is somewhat quieter than previous models, and takes more effort to hear the roar of turbo.

It has no turbo lag, and develops 260 lb-ft torque, but at a relatively high min 4500 U /. However, a throttle response and react quickly on Turbo conspire to employ a transfer of positive and casually to climb, even when driving. In other words, if you called on the right foot, a modest increase in power and the boost gauge is down low, a speed change is likely to happen. Simply select the S for sport, while the smooth password, you do not, switch back to normal mode to use the transmission gear on the road.

In sport mode, the transmission obeys your commands manual, if you downshift at an engine speed thinks the system is too high, or upshift at one it thinks is too low. That at least tells you that you rejected your entrance with a flashing light. You can manually downshift too high and into the drive, and after a few seconds, no manual input of the car to return to fully automatic.

In heavy stop-and-go traffic, highway, we found it difficult to accelerate smoothly. It has a drive-by gas. We have a lot of cars with this type of electronic system for sensitive controller, and adding a turbocharger, the feeling seems to enlarge. You can use the stop-and-go in a smooth management of RDX, but it requires more concentration.

The brakes are strong and have a good feel and progressive retardation, perhaps for the upgrade system for the year 2010.

An error cut more quickly than one or unstable transmission may be the attraction. One passenger said she could feel every bump, especially on the highway. It could be on. It was like a shock in Moraine highway or sharp humps.

Of course, this strength can lead to the suspension of RDX, like a sports car into corners. Acura boasts that this corner a BMW X3, at the Nurburgring in Germany and a tour that was developed similarly biased by the performance. Potential buyers need roads are reflective surfaces of their usual trip before deciding how much sport or comfort they want.

We drove a RDX in California then spent a week to one in the northwest, just in time for snow and ice. We tested the ABS by slamming on the brakes down a slope with packed snow at 20 miles per hour. The response was good, it has a very long time to be arrested, but we were able to go everywhere we wanted to, without sliding, while our foot was mashed to the pedal. (In deep snow or dirt or gravel can actually stop fast-lock braking system, construction of small dams in front of the tires when the ABS is not always a great feature in the snow.) Should emphasize that the P235 / 55R18 Michelin Pilot tires are as High-performance all-season, that is, they were not for these kind of things all season, made three seasons ie winter, is not one of them.

Then we went to a park covered with snow melt and tried to cut donuts for free on the hard ground, which the Electronic Stability Program VSA. The RDX just turned in tight circles, without slipping, and it was amazing.

A few days later the slush froze into simple, with chunks of ice and we went back to the bottom of our steep hill. We calculate uphill, and it is fascinating, the entire drivetrain feel as you watch the display on the dashboard with bars of the four tires were a couple, based on how slippery it under each tire at any time. The four-wheel-drive that can send 70 percent of torque to the rear wheels to fight for more grip to play his computer sensors to throttle and brakes on and off at four different wheels at the speed of lightning, and we have done the above . It was very impressive, especially those with high-performance all-season tires that were not designed for severe conditions. With real snow tires of the RDX would be stopped in the winter, and we recommend a series for the winter climate.

In winter it is difficult to mention beating a relatively high peak light vehicles with four-wheel drive, ABS brakes, electronic stability control, six airbags and xenon headlamps, heated seats and heated outside mirrors do not. Specific winter tires, you should run with the plow.

The U.S. EPA-mile City is rated 17/22 mpg / highway for the RDX SH-AWD. We have run 17.6 miles per gallon of premium gasoline to an average of 34 mph stop-and-on the highway and attribute 80 MPH Add to when the traffic less busy, very unfavorable conditions for fuel economy. We found the similar fuel mileage when driving in the city. Fuel consumption is probably closer to Highway 22 mpg EPA rating at constant cruising speed of 55 mph

The new front-wheel-drive model does not handle well in the corners where your foot on the gas, how many passes and Clover Leaf, because it carries a higher percentage of its weight the front wheels and not RWD. On the positive side, it is easier and the rate of 2 mpg higher in all conditions. The first two courses are higher, the low engine speed for speed and means even quieter cruising. While the mid-20s can coax from him on the road fuel economy has never been the strength of RDX.

Our choice is model for the SH-AWD with its superb all-wheel-drive system on wheels. If the economy, especially after you, we recommend looking elsewhere.