The 2007 Acura RDX is a smaller, lower-priced SUV than Acura's MDX.
OK, the 2.3-liter four cylinder is turbocharged and delivers a surprising 244 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, which is as much as some six-cylinder power plants.
And, the five-passenger, 2007 Acura RDX SUV is loaded with luxury touches like perforated leather-trimmed seats, a power moonroof and 360-watt premium sound system as well as major safety equipment including standard all-wheel drive and six airbags.
But the truth is, the 2007 Acura RDX, which undercuts the larger, seven-passenger, V6-powered Acura MDX by some $4,000, is something of an experiment.
Reason: The RDX comes to market with the highest base retail price of any four-cylinder SUV currently offered by any car company.
More to Come
Could a vehicle like this really be worth the price?
It won't be the last time this question is asked about a smaller, premium crossover SUV. Other car companies are looking to introduce their own smaller luxury SUVs in coming years. So Acura is getting into the segment early.
Putting the RDX in perspective, it's worth noting that even at more than $32,000, the RDX is nearly $4,000 less than the starting price for a BMW X3 entry SUV. And the X3's six-cylinder power tops out at 225 horses and 214 lb-ft of torque.
Plus, as gasoline prices remain high, consumers are becoming more conscious of fuel usage. So the RDX's expected government rating of 19 miles a gallon in city driving and 23 mpg on the highway can be a perk.
Indeed, only one other gasoline-powered SUV gets better mileage in the luxury category. The 2007 Lexus RX 350, with 270-horsepower V6, is rated at 20/25 mpg for a two-wheel-drive model. The four-wheel-drive RX 350 is rated at 19/24 mpg.
Why Go Turbo?
A naturally aspirated four cylinder just wouldn't have enough get up and go for the RDX, according to Acura officials.
They didn't want to put a six-cylinder engine in, either, because it would have added weight and hurt fuel economy, not to mention handling dynamics.
So the company installed the new, 2.3-liter double overhead cam inline four cylinder with water-cooled turbo, instead.
Acura officials hope to cultivate a high-tech image for the RDX because this engine, under development for some four years, is unique in many ways.
For example, this first turbo engine at Acura is a gasoline i-VTEC engine—VTEC is Honda's variable valve and electronic lift control system—that is fitted with a variable flow turbo positioned toward the rear of the engine and made of austenite stainless cast iron for durability. No other vehicle has this combination of Honda VTEC and turbo in a gasoline engine in the U.S.
Honda, which owns the Acura luxury brand, is well-known for its engine development and for getting the most power and fuel economy out of every power plant.
Turbo Concerns
Unlike Mazda, which didn't put the word "turbo" anywhere on the outside of its 2007 CX-7 SUV for fear of worrying buyers about the durability of a turbo engine, Acura officials are proud of their gutsy turbo and put "turbo" right on the liftgate in back.
And why not? The combination of VTEC, which works in naturally aspirated engines to deliver power through a wide rpm range, and turbo, which elicits strong power in short spurts of acceleration, works well here.
It sure is complicated, though. For example, the turbo's movable flow control valve that allows air in is powered by diaphragm-type actuators that are controlled by electric solenoids that, in turn, are controlled by the main engine control unit. This is the same ECU that oversees the VTEC system and helps explain how the VTEC and turbo operations are able to complement each other.
Durability is a concern in all turbos. So Acura engineers did more than use durable materials for the RDX engine. For example, they positioned as many moving parts as they could outside the hot turbo housing so there would be less wear of these parts.
Synthetic oil is required in this engine, not the cheap off-the-shelf, regular stuff. And to keep drivers aware of regular maintenance, the RDX has an onboard oil life indicator that's programmed to tell a driver when an oil change, with synthetic oil, is needed.
Acura officials insisted there's no need to baby this turbo. Indeed, when the RDX engine shuts off, coolant will continue to circulate in a thermal convection mode and help prevent heat damage to the turbo bearings.
And while premium gasoline is best for peak performance in the RDX, Acura officials said regular gasoline is OK, too. The RDX engine has knock sensors that will adjust for the lower-octane regular fuel.
There's only one transmission. It's a five-speed automatic that can be driven like a regular automatic or with shift-it-yourself paddles that are on the RDX steering wheel. These kinds of paddles are also used in Formula 1 race cars.
All-Wheel Drive Standard
The RDX rides on the largest standard wheels and tires of any Acura: 18-inchers.
And the RDX uses the same kind of full-time, all-wheel-drive system that's in the more-expensive Acura RL sedan.
Basically, by using electronics, the system can vary power between front and rear axles and from one side wheel to another. This is done automatically and doesn't require driver input.
The result is handling and steering that feels quite accurate in turns and curves.
Odds and Ends
The optional technology package is expected to be a hit in the RDX, with about 40 percent of the vehicles getting it.
Among other things, it adds a large, 8-inch display screen in the center of the dashboard that's used for Acura's navigation system with voice recognition. The package also includes hands-free telephone with Bluetooth.
Don't miss the progressive illumination of the RDX gauges at night. It's quite welcoming as gauges slowly light up when the door opens and gradually move to 100 percent illumination when the ignition starts.
The background color of the analog gauges is a high-tech blue, and even the sizable center storage area in the RDX—which is purse-sized—is illuminated, which is a nice touch at night.
The standard audio system includes XM satellite radio and a complimentary three-month subscription so buyers can test out the service.
Have an iPod? No worries. The RDX has an easy-to-access auxiliary jack.
Why the RDX?
With the median age of Acura buyers around 47, company officials want to bring in younger buyers. And their studies indicated that Gen Yers are likely consumers for a vehicle that handles like a nimble car but has an SUV look and positions its passengers higher above the pavement than a car does.
Timing is important. The RDX comes to showrooms in calendar 2006 as Acura drops its RSX coupe. The two-door RSX had the youngest buyers of all Acura vehicles, many of whom modified their RSXs for street action. But Acura officials want to move the brand upscale.
Ann Job is a California-based, freelance automotive writer.
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