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Acura has put the sport back in Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) with the introduction of its new RDX compact luxury SUV. At the recent Northwest Automotive Press Association’s 13th annual Sport Utility Vehicle of the Year Competition (affectionately known as “Mudfest”) I drove and evaluated two-dozen new SUVs. Out of all those fine vehicles I felt the Acura RDX was the most fun to drive.
The reason I so enjoyed the 2007 Acura RDX was that it drove more like a sports sedan than a luxury truck. It wasn’t the most technically competent entry on the sloppy, super-muddy off-road part of the competition (although it handled the course just fine), but it was a super kick in the pants on pavement.
Contrary to what many SUV drivers think they need, I know where SUVs spend the majority of their time — on paved roads. Occasionally those roads are in poor shape or even wet. But, the last time I needed increased ground clearance, air locker differentials, a winch and a roll cage to conquer treacherous trails on the Olympic Peninsula I took a modified Jeep CJ.
The Acura RDX is considered a compact crossover SUV. As such it’s not the most cavernous SUV around and is only a five-passenger vehicle. I don’t haul hordes of kids around, nor do I want to. Like most SUVs there are vacant seats when I’m on the highway.
The two seats that really matter are the front ones and those are first class in the Acura RDX. The handsome leather seats are nicely bolstered for excellent comfort and support. The driver’s seat is 10-way power adjustable with power lumbar adjustment. The passenger seat is 4-way manually adjustable. Even the rear outboard seats have noticeable side bolsters.
Utility isn’t forgotten in the RDX. The split rear bench folds flat because the lower cushions lift and tumble forward. Too many folding rear seats have such steep inclines that cargo utility is highly compromised. With the rear seated folded flat there is 60.6 cubic feet of storage space.
Acura has always excelled in the technology department. Their engines and drivetrain components are always state-of-the-art. The RDX is no exception and it has a couple Acura firsts. The RDX has the first turbocharged engine for an Acura product. The 2.3L 4-cylinder engine produces 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.
It’s a highly responsive engine especially when you make use of the 5-speed automatic’s Sequential SportShift feature. Ample-sized paddles behind the steering wheel allow the driver to keep both hands on the nicely contoured leather wheel and bang off rapid-fire shifts.
The RDX has a patented all-wheel-drive system called SH-AWD, which stands for Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. It delivers optimum torque distribution front to rear and side-to-side. It has yaw control to reduce understeer. The suspension is taut, but not objectionably rough. Standard 18-inch alloy wheels are wrapped in all-season high-performance tires.
The dashboard is very driver-oriented. It has that cockpit wrap around feeling that puts all controls within easy reach. Full power options and a power sunroof are standard. There’s only one option, the Technology Package. It consists of items such as the navigation system, rearview camera, premium sound system, and wireless phone interface.
Whines: The only “whine” we experienced was that of the turbocharger spooling up as we aggressively worked the Formula 1 style paddle shifters.
Bottom Line: The 2007 Acura RDX is a compact luxury SUV that’s a blast to drive. If you’re more interested in a vehicle’s fun factor than its freight factor, the Acura RDX is a must see SUV. | 
