2007 Acura RDX: Crossover package, heart of a sports car
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Our long-term Acura RDX is something special. Unlike other Motor Trend staffers, who reported a lot of tiny little gripes, I loved this pint-size CUV.
I took the RDX to Phoenix Arizona a couple weekends ago to visit some friends. Along the way, I couldn't help but notice its wonderful acceleration as I maneuvered in and around traffic. I racked up 1100 miles in just three days and averaged about 22 mpg.
I didn't notice the turbo lag many others complain about when they took it on the road. In fact, I found the 2.3-liter i-vtec turbo sporty on the highway and especially fun to drive on curvy mountain roads with little body roll. What's even more fun to use on the twisties are the steering-wheel shift paddles in sport mode.
The ride would be a bit rough for most people's standards, as Truck Trend editor Allyson Harwood pointed out in the January issue of Motor Trend. She noted "The ride is much too harsh for daily driving. It makes somewhat smooth pavement feel bumpy and is downright jarring on poorly maintained roads." I have to agree with Allyson, you can feel everything with the RDX's suspension. But I loved it because it adds to the sports-car feeling, akin to tuning a suspension for track racing. This would be the perfect CUV for people who love sports cars.
It can fit four people very comfortably and offers a deep rear cargo area and it's the perfect size for someone like me. However, I don't think I can justify the hefty $36,495 price tag that includes a "Technology Package" that consists of Bluetooth wireless telephone connectivity, a 410-watt surround-sound system, a nav setup with voice recognition, rearview camera, and real-time traffic updates, and a GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone automatic climate-control system. The only option I would like of the group would be the navigation. That alone is a $3500 package I can live without since the base RDX comes standard with such goodies as leather-trimmed interior, heated front seats, satellite radio, power moonroof, Xenon headlamps, and stability control.
Read these other Long-term reviews to learn more about our adventures in the Acura RDX:
Long-Term Arrival: 2008 Acura RDX
Following victories in two comparison tests -- "Crossing Over" (July, 2006) and "Dune Devils" (August, 2007) -- in which the RDX spanked the likes of BMW X3, Land Rover LR2, Lincoln MKX, Mazda CX-7, and Toyota RAV4 V-6, Acura's first-ever compact crossover earned, in our estimation, an invite to join Motor Trend's long-term fleet.
Long-Term Update: 2007 Acura RDX
After accumulating 5700 miles, the RDX alerted us via its Maintenance Minder system that it required minor servicing.
Fleet Update: 2007 Acura RDX
With a little over 8000 miles on the odometer, the RDX transported photographer Brian Vance and a couple friends to Northern Nevada for a "helping of genuine off-roading" while in search of "a hot-spring tub in the East Walker River Canyon."
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