2008 Acura RDX

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By  Marty Padgett, Executive Editor

Side look of2008 Acura RDX 4WD 4dr Silver
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 2008 ACURA RDX STYLING | [8 out of 10]

Edmunds: "considerably more upscale than the average small SUV"
ConsumerGuide: "a trendy mix of textures and shapes"
Kelley Blue Book: "there isn't much not to like about the 2008 Acura RDX"
MyRide.com: "sleek lines and an aggressive snout"

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com found little to complain about in the luxury crossover design of the 2008 Acura RDX.

The 2008 Acura RDX receives high praise for continuing Acura's knack for producing attractive cars. MyRide.com points out that the "designers did an excellent job of staying true to Acura's styling DNA." Kelley Blue Book enjoys the exterior hints of power under the hood, citing "18-inch wheels, a raked version of the familiar five-point grille, dual-outlet exhaust and a 'turbo' badge on the back" as welcome additions. Cars.com lists the "manageable dimensions" as a huge plus.

In terms of overall appearance, MyRide.com calls the 2008 Acura RDX "not exactly sexy" and definitely "more athletic than aggressive." Auto Spectator matches this description by using adjectives such as "compact" and "sporty" when talking about the Acura RDX. Kelley Blue Book notes that the "unconventional tailgate that is integrated into the rear bumper" provides a "smoother look to the rear end."

Shifting gears to the dashboard, Cars.com thinks the "gauges are well-lit in a calming blue and white, and are easy to read." ConsumerGuide throws in its two cents by complaining the "audio and climate settings are undersized readouts in a distant dashtop slit." All in all, however, Edmunds finds the interior to be "considerably more upscale than the average small SUV."

Conclusion: As a near-luxury crossover, the 2008 Acura RDX delivers a ride that is functional, as well as easy on the eyes.

2008 ACURA RDX PERFORMANCE | [8 out of 10]

Cars.com: "so much fun to drive"
Edmunds: "powerful turbocharged engine"
ConsumerGuide: "Firm-ride suspension makes for an agile little SUV"
Car and Driver: "One thing about turbos--they're thirsty"

Reviewers across the Web enjoyed the Acura RDX’s turbo power and deft all-wheel-drive handling.

ForbesAuto notes that the 2008 Acura RDX is "one of only two 2008 SUVs sold in the United States that's powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine" (the Mazda CX-7 is the other). The 240 horsepower created by the Acura RDX engine is "slightly weaker than the less-expensive Mazda CX-7 and its turbocharged 244-hp engine," according to Car and Driver.

Autoblog likes the power of the Acura; 2008’s RDX is fine with a "5-speed automatic transmission [with] manual shifting capability [that] is the only one available." This is probably because the "260 foot-pounds of torque at 4,500 rpm rival the power produced by some six-cylinder engines," ForbesAuto points out.

Cars.com initially complains that "power doesn't come immediately when you're driving with the automatic transmission in standard drive." However, once the reviewer discovered the sport shift setting, he changed his tune, saying, "shifts through the gears are above-average."

Autoblog calls the Super Handling AWD feature the "best part of the RDX." This innovative technology means "you'll never worry about taking a turn faster than you planned," according to Cars.com.

Reviewers weren’t won over by fuel economy in the Acura; 2008’s "17 miles per gallon in city driving and 22 mpg on the highway" disappointed ForbesAutos, since it’s the same rating given to the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Car and Driver mentions that the 2008 Acura RDX's "fuel economy was 3 mpg worse than the ballsier BMW [X3]'s."

Conclusion: If it weren't for those meddling stops at the gas station, the 2008 Acura RDX would be near perfect.

2008 ACURA RDX COMFORT AND QUALITY | [8 out of 10]

Kelley Blue Book: "boasts a full arsenal of appeal"
ConsumerGuide: "the dashboard puts style over function"
MyRide.com: "easy to use, and pretty to look at"

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com felt the 2008 Acura RDX's comfort and quality exceeded the price tag that comes with it--but that doesn't mean everyone is completely happy.

Behind the wheel of the 2008 Acura RDX, reviewers felt right at home. Auto Spectator felt the front seats provided "high outward visibility" and a "confident field of view." MyRide.com also likes the seating in the Acura; 2008’s Acura boasts "sturdy seats [that] hold occupants nicely," and the driver's seat, with "an eight-way power unit with lumbar and heating, is superb."

Cars.com notes that "compared to other SUVs...the RDX's cargo area is right up there with the best." ConsumerGuide also mentions that "large door pockets and clever door armrest bins offer plenty of small-item storage." Completing the effective storage design is "a huge center console that's big enough to swallow a laptop computer," according to Kelley Blue Book.

Reviewers aren't as impressed with the 2008 Acura RDX from the backseat. Kelley Blue Book stays optimistic by saying the backseat is "cozy without being cramped." MyRide.com takes a more pessimistic viewpoint, calling the rear passenger seats "leftovers--a four-way manual job with heat and no lumbar support."

ForbesAuto found the drive to be "a bit noisy on the front-passenger side." ConsumerGuide also brings up noise, claiming the "tires are noisy even on smooth asphalt."

Conclusion: The 2008 Acura RDX delivers impressive near-luxury comfort and quality—to the front passengers, at least.

2008 ACURA RDX SAFETY | [10 out of 10]

IIHS: Good
NHTSA: Five stars, front and side impacts; four stars, rollover resistance
Edmunds: "excellent crash test scores"

Reviewers find very little to complain about when it comes to the 2008 Acura RDX's ability to keeps its occupants safe.

Cars.com applauds the safety ratings in this Acura; 2008’s RDX earns “the top rating of Good in both frontal and side-impact crash tests" performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety--a feat that also earns the RDX IIHS’s Top Safety Pick honor.

Edmunds agrees that the Acura 2008 RDX is "very crash-worthy," with a host of standard safety features such as "front-seat side airbags, head-protecting side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor, active front head restraints, anti-lock brakes with brake assist, stability control and traction control." Kelley Blue Book notes that "child door locks" and an "engine immobilizer" are also standard.

ForbesAuto calls attention to design features of the Acura 2008 RDX that improve safety: "The hood is specially designed with collapsible hinges" and "breakaway windshield wiper pivots...lessen pedestrian injury during a crash."

ConsumerGuide mentions that there are "no factory options" related to safety, such as lane-departure warning systems or blind-spot detection systems—features becoming more common on high-end vehicles.

Conclusion: The Acura 2008 RDX earns top safety scores.

2008 ACURA RDX FEATURES | [10 out of 10]

Cars.com: "Lots of standard features"
Car and Driver: "laden with every option we could imagine"
Auto Spectator: "an array of electronic features that set it apart from the competition"

The 2008 Acura RDX has an extensive list of standard equipment, and enough options to please even high-tech snobs.

Edmunds starts the compliments by saying, "standard equipment is generous and includes 18-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, a moonroof, full power accessories, heated front seats, a power driver seat with memory, Bluetooth connectivity, leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control."

For audiophiles, Kelley Blue Book has good news, stating "a 360-watt sound system featuring an in-dash six-disc CD/MP3/WMA player, XM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth hands-free integration, seven speakers and an auxiliary input for portable MP3 players" comes standard with the 2008 Acura RDX.

At Acura, 2008’s RDX has only one optional package available--the Technology Package--but according to the reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, it's a doozy. Auto Spectator feels the "Technology Package heightens the RDX's appeal with tech-savvy customers through a range of advanced features."

According to Kelley Blue Book, these features include "a navigation system with voice recognition and real-time traffic information, GPS-linked solar-sensing climate control and a 410-watt, 10-speaker audio system that features XM Satellite Radio and a six-disc CD/DVD-Audio player with MP3/WMA capability plus DTS and Dolby Pro Logic II processing."

Conclusion: The 2008 Acura RDX is one of the best-equipped vehicles on the road.