2011 Acura RDX
by Jim Prueter -01/2011
RDX is Delightful to Drive, Loaded with Features
It was 2007 when we last drove and tested the then all-new Acura RDX, Honda’s luxury-brand, small-crossover SUV. At the time, most SUV owners found themselves behind the wheel of mammoth luxury SUVs and not the burgeoning crossover segment. Times were good; jobs were plentiful and most manufacturers knew the best days of trawler-sized vehicles were numbered, soon-to-be replaced by crossovers.
Acura, sitting on the sidelines watching luxury crossover brands like the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLK, and Land Rover LR2 already in dealer showrooms, wanted a piece of that action and created the RDX to join the “entry premium SUV segment.”
Comparable in size to the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape, the RDX is a two-row, five-seat, compact crossover utility that’s available with either standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or a somewhat simpler version of Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive known as SH-AWD. Even with SH-AWD, the RDX is more all-weather than all-terrain.
Other than minor year-to-year tweaks and upgrades, the RDX remains virtually unchanged since its introduction for the 2007 model year.
Now, four years later after a weeklong test drive in various conditions of urban, suburban, wet and dry roads, we were reminded just how much we liked the RDX, coming away from the experience nothing short of absolutely delighted.
For 2011, we tested a FWD RDX equipped with the optional technology package that basically adds a navigation system, premium audio system, and rearview backup camera for around $3,000 extra. The addition of SH-AWD tacks another $2,000 to the price.
RDX is powered by a 2.3-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine with 240-horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It’s quick, smooth and a hoot to drive covering zero to 60 mph in about seven seconds. The transmission offers F1-style paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, if you choose to operate the five-speed automatic transmission in a manual shift mode.
During our first drive back in 2007, one of our few complaints about the RDX was the very noticeable and annoying engine turbo lag; under full acceleration there seemed to be a two-second delay before the quick burst of power kicked in. In the 2011 tester, Acura has completely eliminated the malady and power is now instantaneous.
Handling is taut with the RDX pivoting smartly through curves and corners with credit in part going to the large 235x55 18-inch tires, which limit body roll, yet provide a sufficient ride for the daily commute. Steering is quick and brakes are firm and sure.
The standard perforated all-leather sport seats are especially comfortable and well bolstered, which lend a secure, confident feeling behind the wheel.
So with all the praises I’ve just sung about the RDX, is it so good that nothing could be improved upon? Hardly.
For one, the turbo four-cylinder engine requires premium fuel to perform right and our gas mileage, according to the vehicle’s trip computer, was just over 16.5 mpg around town and 20.2 mpg in mixed city-highway miles. The ride is on the firm side and some will find it too harsh. We also find RDX expensive; though not egregious, it’s not a bargain.
While the RDX remains virtually unchanged for 2011, the 2010 model received minor design tweaks including the hideous Acura-family grille with its “goofy grin” looks we wish Acura would scrap. Other changes included new headlights and taillights, new exhaust tips, and designers reworked the front and rear ends to more closely resemble its Acura siblings.
Exterior features include dual-exhaust tips, a liftgate spoiler, xenon headlamps, side mirrors with integrated turn signals, and fog lights.
Standard interior features include dual-zone automatic climate control, heated leather seats up front, moonroof, driver’s 10-way power seat with memory settings, four-way power on passengers side, heated power door mirrors with turn indicators, a terrific ELS surround sound system with 10 speakers, AM/FM/six-disc DVD with DTS, Dolby Pro Logic, Bluetooth, MP3/auxiliary input jack, and USB audio interface.
Standard safety features include six airbags, stability control, anti-lock braking system with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, and active headrests. RDX earned the highest five-star government front- and side-crash test safety ratings and the highest “good” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for front- and side-impact crash test results.
Overall, while the RDX doesn’t carry the cachet of competition like the Mercedes-Benz GLK, BMW X3, or Infiniti EX, it is exceptionally well engineered, superbly constructed and drives beautifully. It’s a pleasurable daily driver and does pretty much everything amazingly well.
Now if Acura could just do something about the grille.
