2007 Acura RDX Road Test

Acura's new compact crossover is a punchy little sled. How so? For starters, it's mobilized by a turbocharged mill capable of squeezing out some potent juice. How potent? With its back against the wall, the brawny little four-banger can muster 240 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and an impressive, 260 foot-pounds of torque @ 4,500 rpm. By hanging a sophisticated, variable flow turbo unit onto the RDX's 2.3 litre i-VTEC powerplant, Acura has entered the world of turbocharging. The variable flow turbo design in use increases low rpm effectiveness over more conventional turbo units while eliminating, or at least reducing, turbo lag. Pump the broad output through a five-speed autobox and Acura's latest SUV takes off like a startled jackrabbit, hitting 96 kph (60 mph) in only 6.87 seconds.