4-banger power – turbocharged liveliness
It’s interesting and perhaps a bit counter-intuitive that Acura would choose to use a turbocharged I-4 in their compact SUV but not in their compact car platforms, such as the CSX and TSX. To breathe a little fire into the TSX, Acura recently wedged in a V6 mill rather than supplying a version of the RDX engine.
Despite the curiosity surrounding where else Acura could use a responsive turbocharged 4-banger, the engine certainly performs enthusiastically – sometimes too enthusiastically. Throttle progression is somewhat abrupt, thanks to the turbocharger, which can lead to unleashing more horses during passive driving than intended.
The hyper DOHC powerplant displaces 2.3-litres while producing 240 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and a substantive, 260 foot-pounds of torque at 4,500 rpm. That’s an impressive showing for a diminutive mill.
Such credentials deliver a commendable dose of excitement and exhilaration on the road. Once a small flat spot is overcome as the turbocharger spools up, the RDX sprints forward with true sports-car-like performance that’s accompanied by a woosh of air through its intercooler.
It’s too bad that premium fuel is required, and that the punchy engine doesn’t live up to its fuel economy rating of 11.7L and 8.7L/100km of city and highway driving respectively. The on-board computer rated my city driving between 12.5 and 15.5L/100km.
5-speed autobox and SH-AWD
After flowing through Acura’s 5-speed automatic transmission – featuring Sequential SportShit, paddle shifters and Grade Logic Control – power is directed to all four wheels via Acura’s well-established Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) technology.
SH-AWD enhances the RDX’s road prowess by distributing torque to the outside wheels during cornering in an effort to push the vehicle around the corner rather than though it.
RDX – inspired handling
Here’s a challenge: take a typical SUV or SUV crossover for a spin and do some aggressive cornering, then grab the wheel of an RDX and repeat said manoeuvres. Notice a difference? Unless you used BMW’s X3 for the comparison, you should notice a stark difference in the handling characteristic between the RDX and whatever else you drove.
I realize that it’s impractical for folks to undertake my challenge, so let me reassure by saying that the RDX exhibits tremendous agility and outstanding handling characteristics for a crossover SUV, but the inner athleticism isn’t free.
It’s interesting and perhaps a bit counter-intuitive that Acura would choose to use a turbocharged I-4 in their compact SUV but not in their compact car platforms, such as the CSX and TSX. To breathe a little fire into the TSX, Acura recently wedged in a V6 mill rather than supplying a version of the RDX engine.
 |
| Once a small flat spot is overcome as the turbocharger spools up, the RDX sprints forward with true sports-car-like performance. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
Despite the curiosity surrounding where else Acura could use a responsive turbocharged 4-banger, the engine certainly performs enthusiastically – sometimes too enthusiastically. Throttle progression is somewhat abrupt, thanks to the turbocharger, which can lead to unleashing more horses during passive driving than intended.
The hyper DOHC powerplant displaces 2.3-litres while producing 240 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and a substantive, 260 foot-pounds of torque at 4,500 rpm. That’s an impressive showing for a diminutive mill.
Such credentials deliver a commendable dose of excitement and exhilaration on the road. Once a small flat spot is overcome as the turbocharger spools up, the RDX sprints forward with true sports-car-like performance that’s accompanied by a woosh of air through its intercooler.
It’s too bad that premium fuel is required, and that the punchy engine doesn’t live up to its fuel economy rating of 11.7L and 8.7L/100km of city and highway driving respectively. The on-board computer rated my city driving between 12.5 and 15.5L/100km.
5-speed autobox and SH-AWD
After flowing through Acura’s 5-speed automatic transmission – featuring Sequential SportShit, paddle shifters and Grade Logic Control – power is directed to all four wheels via Acura’s well-established Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) technology.
SH-AWD enhances the RDX’s road prowess by distributing torque to the outside wheels during cornering in an effort to push the vehicle around the corner rather than though it.
RDX – inspired handling
Here’s a challenge: take a typical SUV or SUV crossover for a spin and do some aggressive cornering, then grab the wheel of an RDX and repeat said manoeuvres. Notice a difference? Unless you used BMW’s X3 for the comparison, you should notice a stark difference in the handling characteristic between the RDX and whatever else you drove.
I realize that it’s impractical for folks to undertake my challenge, so let me reassure by saying that the RDX exhibits tremendous agility and outstanding handling characteristics for a crossover SUV, but the inner athleticism isn’t free.
 |
| With an MSRP of $39,990, the RDX is an enjoyable vehicle to drive, and well suited. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |