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Wm. B. Sullivan Realty & Co.
Claudia Hommel
Cabaret Singer
Extraordinaire
Cordell Koland
Car Writer
Weekly Reviews
 2007 Acura RDX by Cordell Koland Acura has targeted the emerging market for small, luxury SUVs with the RDX, which is chock full of all kinds of electronic wizardry. This SUV niche is aimed at upscale singles and couples who want a nimble compact SUV with good performance and all the amenities. The new RDX gets a big thumbs up. In fact, I think it is really the ideal urban assault vehicle‹forget about the Hummer. The RDX is well built, powerful and very agile. It will run rings around those monster SUVs. And furthermore, its modest footprint means that it can slip into a parking space that most other SUVs will have to forego. The RDX delivers 61 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats down, which is enough cargo for the majority of SUV buyers. While the base RDX with all-wheel drive at $32,995 (less destination and handling charges) is well equipped, the way to buy the RDS is with the Technology Package. The option includes surround-sound audio, Acura¹s outstanding navigation system and rearview camera. The only aspect of the new RDX that warrants a negative comment is that it clings to a five-speed automatic transmission, when most other new models for 2007 are moving to a six-speed unit. But this reservation seems theoretical at best because with its huge torque reserve, the RDX instantly puts a lot of power on the ground and delivers respectable fuel economy as well. Acura¹s parent, Honda, is renowned for squeezing lots of power from small engines. The RDX features a 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine that develops 240 big horsepower, thanks to its innovative variable-flow turbo and Honda¹s advanced technology for valve actuation and timing control. The RDX¹s power delivery is very impressive. You only need to breathe on the accelerator to make the new Acura SUV surge forward. The four-cylinder unit is a weight saver and consequently the RDX tips the scales at less than 4,000 pounds fully optioned. The RDX also gets Acura¹s latest all-wheel-drive technology that the company says will improve traction and control, and even improve on-road performance. Conventional all-wheel-drive systems distribute torque between the front and rear wheels as conditions dictate. The Acura version adds the ability to redirect torque between the left and right rear wheels. In fact, the system can channel up to 100 percent of engine torque to the outer rear wheel when cornering, which means that you can take full advantage of the natural weight transfer to power around corners. The RDX also comes equipped with Acura¹s proprietary yaw and traction control. This should make the car virtually skid-proof on wet surfaces. The RDX is simply one of the best handling SUVs yet developed and is a huge amount of fun to drive. And in case you¹re concerned that its small size equates to compromised safety, the RDX has received a big endorsement from a respected third-party. It was one of only three luxury SUVs (out of 13 total) to earn a Top Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The award recognizes vehicles that perform best in protecting passengers in front, rear and side crashes based on the Institute's tests. Communication technology includes an innovative system that supplies real-time traffic information. AcuraLink satellite communications system provides data on the speed of traffic flow, accidents, and construction in 44 major metro areas, allowing drivers to take an alternate route, if such is available, to reach a destination. Not only will the system display trouble spots on a map of your route, but another screen displays trouble spots in your geographic region as you plan a trip. The information is aggregated from several sources and beamed to the navigation system by XM Radio. Acura¹s navigation system has always appeared to be the best in the industry and the application in the RDX is no exception. The large video screen is mounted high on the dash for ready reference. The system provides a guide to millions of points of interest in the U.S and three-dimensional graphics for freeway interchanges and on- and off-ramps. The unit also has access to the Zagat Restaurant Guide. In addition, 1.7 million U.S. city and street names may be accessed through the voice recognition system. The audio system includes XM Satellite Radio, 360-watt premium amplifier, AM-FM tuner, 10 speakers and a six-disc CD changer. The multichannel unit provides surround sound for all seating positions. Vehicle:
Acura RDX Technology Package
Price as tested: $37,165 Engine: Type: 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four Horsepower: 240 @ 6.000 rpm Torque: 260 lbs.-ft. @ 4,500 rpm Fuel economy, automatic transmission City 19 mpg Highway 23 mpg Curb Weight: 3,924 lbs.  Cordell Koland is an automotive journalist based in California's central coast. He can be reached at cordellkoland@oakparkjournal.com |
