2009 Acura RDX

Downsizing without compromising

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What do you do when your flagship SUV keeps growing in size? If you're Acura, you throw a compact crossover into the mix and allow the big daddy MDX to get even bigger. The 2009 Acura RDX, first introduced as a 2007 model, boasts a number of distinctions that lend it a personality entirely different than that of the MDX.

The 2009 Acura RDX starts at $33,695, scores 17 mpg city/22 mpg highway, and comes with a 4-year/50,000 limited warranty; read on to find out what separates this smaller but saucier sport ute from its big SUV sibling.

Larger Exterior Photos: Front Rear

Acura is aiming its RDX at young, upwardly mobile buyers, a fact reflected in its two trim levels: plush, and plusher. The standard RDX is priced at $33,695, and comes with a 240 horsepower, turbocharged and intercooled 2.3 liter 4-cylinder (yes, you read that right -- turbocharged!) The blown four-banger is hooked up to a 5-speed automatic with paddle shifters and Acura's famously named "Super Handling All-Wheel Drive" system.

The standard RDX also comes with a leather interior, a 360-watt 7-speaker sound system, XM satellite radio, dual-zone climate control, a moonroof and Bluetooth connectivity. Not bad for entry-level trim.

Opt for the Technology package, and for $36,995 you get a navigation system with a rearview camera, the handy Zagat Survey database with restaurant ratings, and real-time traffic. Audio gets upgraded to a 410-watt, 10 speaker system with DVD-audio, DTS, and Dolby Pro Logic II, and the nav, audio, and climate control can be operated using voice recognition. Proving that we're entering a brave new world faster than you can say "future shock," the Technology package also includes a GPS-linked temperature control system which, according to Acura, "monitors the sun's location relative to the vehicle and its intensity, enabling the system to keep each side of the cabin at its designated temperature." Wow.

Larger Interior Photo

Our Technology package-equipped RDX felt like a scaled down, slightly simplified version of the MDX. Though a few materials seem a touch less premium than the MDX (and the lack of "wood" gives it a more purposeful feel), a few plastic bits on the dash and door don't mar the impression that this is a well-appointed, nicely finished compact SUV.

Instruments are easy to read and rimmed in that familiar hue of Acura violet, and the center stack is dominated by a large multi-directional button surrounded by a few smaller controls. Though not exactly cavernous, the cabin is big enough to feel accommodating on long drives, and leather-trimmed seats offer a supportive but comfortable perch for five passengers, with neat storage bins near the armrest.

The 60/40 split rear seats fold down to for 28.8 cubic feet -- pretty much what we'd expect from a crossover with a relatively small footprint.

Acura's first ever turbocharged engine debuted in this compact crossover, and that move says a lot about the RDX's road manners. From the driver's seat, this compact ute feels sporty and ready for anything; a turbo boost gauge is positioned invitingly next to the tachometer, and paddle shifters rest snugly against the steering wheel.

Longer, wider, and lower than the BMW X3, the 3942 lb RDX doesn't feel like the two-ton car that it is once you're rolling. Its torque figure of 260 lb-ft trumps the Bimmer by 35 lb-ft, and the 5-speed transmission does a good job of choosing gears -- though it doesn't have the flexibility of a 6-speed, which would make even better use of the turbocharged four-cylinder.

Acceleration is strong and turbo lag minimal, though the engine sometimes feels "peaky" due to its turbocharger, making aggressive acceleration a bit unsmooth for passengers. But performance-oriented drivers will enjoy the rush of thrust at higher rpms, though their fuel economy will suffer accordingly. Handling-wise, the RDX's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive does an impressive job of allocating grip to the correct corner, making drivers look like rock stars in the twisties. More sedate driving reveals a snug, composed ride that's consistent with the car's sporty persona; make no mistake, the RDX is aimed at drivers who enjoy cutting loose with speed every once in a while.

As SUVs and crossovers splinter into ever more specialized niches, manufacturers seem to narrow their focus towards either extremes of the ‘sport' and ‘utility' spectrum -- and in this case, Acura has certainly chased the former.

The RDX looks, feels, and rides like it's got the BMW X3 firmly in its sights, and with Acura anticipating five-fold growth in this segment over the next few years, they've hit all the right buttons with this compact crossover. It's got features galore (especially when equipped with the Technology package), comes equipped with a well-finished interior, and drives like it means business. For sporty compact sport ute buyers, those factors make the RDX a very satisfying way to get from A to B.