MSRP: $33,195 - $36,695
Invoice: $30,522 - $33,731
MPG: 17 City / 22 Hwy
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U.S.News Scores

Overall:9.0
Performance:8.5
Exterior:7.3
Interior:7.7
Safety:9.8
Reliability:10.0
Research we analyzed for this review
Pros and Cons
  • Drives like a sports sedan
  • Loaded with high-grade standard features
  • Comfortable, supportive seating for four adults (five is a squeeze)
  • Limited off-roading and towing capabilities
  • Hard-to-see digital readouts in dashboard
  • Poor fuel economy

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Acura RDX - What the Auto Press Says

The RDX earns a very good score for its excellent combination of performance, a comfortable and roomy cabin and celebrated safety ratings.

With standard all-wheel drive and a turbocharged engine, the 2008 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 says that the RDX is "a screaming hoot to drive." Introduced just last year, the RDX is praised for its high-tech cabin and comfortable seats, making it ideal for longer road trips. It ranks highly among luxury crossover SUVs.

The RDX gets a few minor changes for 2008, including the addition of a standard eight-inch multi-information display, Bluetooth wireless interface, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and dual-position memory for the mirrors and driver's seat.

The RDX comes in two trim levels -- the base RDX, and the RDX with Technology Package, which adds such hi-tech features as a navigation system, real-time traffic system, and premium sound system.

  • "A worthy new rival to the BMW X3 and Lexus RX 350." -- BusinessWeek
  • "An excellent new entry from Acura, which is as well-known for reliability as luxury." -- Arizona Republic
  • "We think the RDX proves that driving fun doesn't necessarily take a back seat when you have to buy a sport utility. If you're in the market, this SUV's well worth a test drive." -- MarketWatch
  • "It's tall but not too tall. Powerful, but not too powerful. Big, but not too big. Luxurious, but not too luxurious. Expensive, but not too expensive. Like an SUV, but not too SUV-like. That about sums up Acura's new foray into the burgeoning crossover sport utility niche in the automotive marketplace." -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
  • "Most of us these days have a love-hate relationship with modern technology. In this car, love wins out." -- U.S. News

RDX Performance - 8.5 (Very Good)

The 2008 Acura RDX is applauded for its lively turbocharged engine (a first for Acura), sporty handling and standard all-wheel drive. Most reviewers enjoy driving the RDX, which is perfectly adept at handling corners and ideal for in-town driving. Many have also compared it with the BMW X3, and the Acura RDX seems to hold its own. "With the casually muscular, taut and tuned feel of a proper sport sedan, the RDX rips corners a new one," says the Los Angeles Times. The all-wheel drive system impresses reviewers -- but fuel economy doesn't. Read More

RDX Exterior - 7.3 (Good)

The 2008 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." Read More

RDX Interior - 7.7 (Good)

The 2008 Acura RDX's cabin is praised for being comfortable, attractive and hi-tech. It offers a long list of standard features, with very little optional equipment. "You might have trouble figuring out where everything is, but the RDX comes with a ton of features: dual-zone A/C, heated seats, steering-wheel audio controls, a huge center storage box with a false bottom for valuables, comfy armrests, and a useful info display with gas mileage, trip data, and other stuff," says U.S. News reviewer Rick Newman. Read More

RDX Safety - 9.8 (Excellent)

The 2008 Acura RDX performs extremely well in federal government crash tests. It also earns rave reviews for its impressive standard safety gear, including standard all-wheel drive. The Auto Channel states, "Safety is paramount in the design and construction of the Acura RDX." Read More

RDX Reliability - 10.0 (Excellent)

The 2008 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/50,000-mile basic warranty. Read More

Review Last Updated: 2/17/09