2007 Acura RDX Tech Road Test

The driver can manually select gears.

Under normal driving, lag is non-existent and only minutely rears its head under hard acceleration. Under the bonnet and sitting next to engine is the only transmission offered with the RDX: a 5-speed automatic with a manual mode. Whether left in automatic mode or controlled through the use of the steering-wheel mounted paddles, the gearbox rarely misses a beat.

The brake pedal was spongier than and not as responsive as I would have expected; The CR-V's presented better feel and performance and compared poorly with the MDX strong binders. The performance afforded by the 4-wheel disc brakes is still good though. The well-assisted steering provided good feedback and thankfully, the turning radius was very acceptable; perfect for shopping mall manoeuvring.

The right stuff

The RDX is a great commuter.

As a daily commuter, the RDX is pleasant, competent and quick on its toes. The ride is comfortable and confidence inspiring, even though the tester was shod with Blizzak winter rubber. I did experience a few more rattles than I would have expected from an Acura but I assume that these noises would easily be addressed.

The RDX was designed to compete again the BMW X3. The thing is that it has come very close to the benchmark however it falls somewhat short where feel and sheer emotion is concerned. In my opinion, the RDX will be the only Japanese offering to come this close to the X3. Perhaps the XC60 will bring a little more polish to the table but I doubt that it will have the same sporting temperament as the BMW and Acura. The Acura will surely offer a long trouble-free life to its owner, something that may not always be true of a German vehicle.

The RDX's price range is from $41,000 to $45,000 for a Tech package, the trim I tested.

Good stuff:
Turbo
Lovely cabin

No so good stuff:
A few too many rattles
Unsatisfactory brake feel

Competitors:
BMW X3
Volvo XC60
Mazda CX-7
Nissan Murano


For more details concerning this vehicle, please refer to the technical specifications and to the standard features list.

If you wish to test-drive or receive a price quotation for this vehicle, you only have to perform a retailer / dealer search in your region.
photo:Philippe Champoux