2008 Acura RDX - Performance Review

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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."