2013 Acura RDX

The Acura RDX is Acura’s first compact crossover SUV, taking over from the MDX as Acura's entry-level crossover SUV, as the MDX grew in size and price. Although the dimensions of the vehicle are similar to that of the Honda CR-V, the RDX uses a unique platform developed to handle the vehicle's advanced all-wheel drive system.

Originally previewed as the Acura RD-X concept car, the production RDX had its debut at the 2006 New York Auto Show and went on sale on August 11, 2006. A facelifted 2010 model went on sale in August 2009, adopting Acura's power plenum grille seen on its sedan models. Front-wheel drive was also added.

The RDX is powered by one of Honda's very few turbocharged gasoline engines. The 2.3-litre straight-4 K23A1 engine has all-aluminum construction, an i-VTEC head, and dual balance shafts. It is also one of the first and only four-cylinder powered luxury SUVs. Honda's variable flow turbocharger reduces turbo lag by using a valve to narrow the exhaust passage at low rpm, increasing the velocity of the exhaust flow and keeping the turbine spinning rapidly. At higher rpm, the valve opens to allow more exhaust flow for increased boost. The engine also features a top-mounted intercooler which receives air from the grille, channeled by ducting under the hood. The Acura RDX engine is rated at 240 bhp at 6000 rpm with a torque peak of 260 ft·lbf at 4500 rpm. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated fuel mileage is 19 mpg-US city and 23 mpg-US highway miles per gallon. Driving style and the terrain plays an important part in this Vehicle's fuel economy. Uphill driving, frequent lane changes and sudden accelerations can increase turbo usage to increase torque output to the SH-AWD system and thus cause much higher fuel consumption. New more recent EPA mileage estimates as of February 2007 are 17 mpg-US city and 22 mpg-US highway. The recommended fuel is premium 91 octane unleaded.

The Acura RDX comes standard with a five-speed automatic transmission with Acura's SportShift sequential manual shift capability, activated by paddles mounted on the steering wheel. The paddles can be used in Drive to make a gear change with the transmission returning to automatic mode as soon as the vehicle resumes a steady-cruise state. The Sport setting has higher shift points and quicker downshifts, and using a paddle in “Sport” immediately puts the transmission in full manual mode. The RDX also has a version of Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, first seen on the flagship RL sedan. The system can vary the front/rear torque distribution from 90/10 to 30/70, depending on whether the vehicle is accelerating, cruising, hill climbing, taking a curve, or encountering poor road conditions. When taking a curve, a pair of magnetic flux clutches in the rear differential can transfer as much as 100% of the available rear torque to the outside wheel. That torque transfer, combined with a 1.7% rear over-rotation of the rear wheel helps rotate the RDX through a turn.

Much of the interior technology introduced in the RL sedan is found in the optional "Technology Package". This package includes the latest version of Acura's navigation system, complete with a rear view camera, XM Nav-Traffic real-time traffic monitoring, and Zagat restaurant reviews. The package also features a 10-speaker Acura/ELS audio system with DTS and Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound. The audio system plays DVD-Audio discs as well. Both stereos come with a 1/8" auxiliary input jack, which may be used to plug in external sources such as iPods. For 2007, Acura also offered an iPod adapter for the RDX, which was wired into the glove box, and allowed the iPod to be controlled through the RDX's sound system interface. Due to hardware incompatibilities the Honda/Acura iPod musiclink has been discontinued as of model year 2008. Current  models come standard with a USB connection that interfaces with Apple inc.® iPod® players and other USB mass storage devices, such as flash drives that contain MP3, WMA6 or AAC music files while being stored in the center console.

The Acura RDX is the second Acura vehicle to feature the Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure which is designed to absorb energy from a collision. The RDX comes standard with six airbags, including dual front airbags, front side airbags and dual side curtain airbags. The front airbags use a dual-threshold, dual-stage technology that can adjust the timing and speed of each airbag deployment depending on the degree of impact and the driver's or front passenger's seat belt usage. If sensors deem the front passenger too small, the front airbag is designed not to deploy. The front passenger's side airbag is also designed to shut off if a child or small statured-adult is leaning into the airbag's deployment path. In the event of a sufficient side impact or roll-over, the side curtain airbag deploys from above the door frames of the affected side, with coverage for both the front and rear occupants on that side, and stays inflated longer than if there were a collision.

2013 Acura RDX

2013 Acura RDX

2013 Acura RDX

2013 Acura RDX

2013 Acura RDX

2013 Acura RDX

2013 Acura RDX

2013 Acura RDX

2013 Acura RDX

2013 Acura RDX