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2008 Acura RDX Performance Review

July 28, 2008

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

so much fun to drive
Cars.com

powerful turbocharged engine
Edmunds

Firm-ride suspension makes for an agile little SUV
ConsumerGuide

One thing about turbos--they're thirsty
Car and Driver

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.

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:so much fun to driveCars.compowerful turbocharged engineEdmundsFirm-ride suspension makes for an agile little SUVConsumerGuideOne thing about turbos--they're thirstyCar and Driver 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." ConclusionIf it weren't for those meddling stops at the gas station, the 2008 Acura RDX would be near perfect.  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" ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2008 Acura RDX crossover is part of a growing movement to smaller SUVs. The BMW X3 was one of the first entries in the niche, but its substandard interior and rough ride keep us from recommending it. Land Rover's LR2 and the Volkswagen Tiguan are a little more plush, with the LR2 taking the off-road edge and the Tiguan on-road, with its turbo four and paddle shifters. The Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLK are both new for 2009; stay tuned for full reviews on both of them later in the year.

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See the Acura RDX in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

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