Review: 2010 Acura RDX

Almost four years since Acura released its first turbocharged vehicle, the part crossover, part urban wagon RDX. For 2010, Acura brings to the market a facelifted version of the RDX, which sports a fresh new exterior look, a more luxurious interior, and a host of new technological features.



With Acura describing the vehicle as the most competitive priced luxury crossover vehicle in the market, the RDX incorporates dynamic handling with all weather capability even though it isn’t an off-road vehicle. The 2010 Acura RDX also offers a more fuel-efficient front-wheel drive option for the first time, a move that was pre-empted to lower the base price of its lineup, starting at $32,520 and going up to $34,520 for the all-wheel drive version, as well as appealing more to customers who live in warmer climates and those who don't need the safety of all-wheel traction.

One might draw similarities to the Honda CR-V but the 2010 Acura RDX is in a completely different league to its corporate cousin. The sportier ensemble with the new Acura corporate grille and sloping rear gives credence to the styling approach aimed towards a sleeker looking vehicle. The 2010 offering adopts 18-inch wheels, revised front and rear bumpers, and more modern tail lights. Inside, the RDX is a lot more driver oriented with the makeover boasting a more upmarket-tech look that includes new climate controls, ambient lighting, leather seats and a generous use of metallic trim.

The fourth incarnation of the RDX is equipped with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine incorporating computer-controlled ‘intelligent’ i-VTEC adjustment of the intake and exhaust valve actuation. The end result is an output of 240 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm. Teamed with a sequential 5-speed automatic transmission, which allows the transmission to function in a conventional automatic mode or controlled manually via steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, the RDX will sprint from 0-60 mph in just under seven seconds.