Acura RDX
Overall Score - 8.7 (Very Good)
The RDX delivers one of the best combinations of excellent performance, celebrated safety ratings and a comfortable, roomy cabin. If you are interested in a luxury compact SUV, you might also consider RDX competitors: the BMW X3 and the all-new Land Rover LR2.
With standard all-wheel drive and a turbocharged engine, the new 2007 Acura RDX is seen as a worthy and less costly competitor to the high-performing BMW X3. Test drivers thoroughly enjoy driving the RDX, with most praising its turbocharged acceleration and handling that's more like a sports sedan than an SUV. The Los Angeles Times raves that the RDX is "a screaming hoot to drive." The RDX is also praised for its high-tech cabin and comfortable seats, making it ideal for longer road trips. The RDX even shines in safety, earning high marks in government crash tests and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Detroit Free Press adds that it "boasts sharp exterior styling, a powerful engine and a more attractive and welcoming interior than its Bavarian competitor, the [BMW] X3si."
According to BusinessWeek, the "RDX is an excellent alternative to the new BMW X3, as well as to luxury SUVs such as Toyota's Lexus RX 350 and Nissan's Infiniti FX 35, which cost an average of four or five grand more." While the RDX seems like a good value when compared to premium SUVs, it also competes with many lower-priced alternatives. Consumer Guide feels that the RDX "comes across as more a marketing tactic than a strong SUV value." IntelliChoice gives the RDX a rating of "average" for its predicted five-year total cost of ownership, compared with other vehicles in its class.
RDX Performance - 8.5 (Very Good)
The Acura RDX is applauded for its lively turbocharged engine (a first for Acura), sporty handling and standard all-wheel drive. Most test drivers agree that the Acura RDX is a "thrill" and "exciting to drive," as Edmunds explains. continue
RDX Exterior - 7.2 (Good)
The Acura RDX's exterior styling receives mixed reviews. Some consider it attractive and sporty, while others find it quite ordinary. Car and Driver sums it up best by saying, "Aside from its Acuraesque front end, the RDX looks pretty much like a lot of other SUVs scampering around out there." continue
RDX Interior - 7.6 (Good)
The Acura RDX's cabin is praised as comfortable, attractive and high tech. MSN gives the cabin a thumbs up, explaining, "Inside, the RDX does much better in commanding attention, thanks to the leather seats, a large display screen in the middle of the dashboard and even paddle shifters on the steering wheel for manually shifting gears." continue
RDX Safety - 9.8 (Excellent)
In government crash tests, the 2007 Acura RDX earned 5 out of 5 stars in frontal-crash and side-crash tests. The RDX earned a "Top Safety Pick" award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). continue
RDX Reliability - 5.0 (Mediocre)
The 2007 Acura RDX reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The RDX comes with a four-year or 50,000-mile limited warranty. continue