Edmunds First Drive: 2007 Acura RDX

[GTaudiophile]

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Were the 2007 Acura RDX given a Chinese zodiac sign, its birth would fall under the year of the Fire Dog. Astrological traits include loyalty, passion, intelligence and, with a bit of speculation on our part, the ability to shoot flames out of one's mouth while barking.

No doubt Acura would be very happy if people see the Fire Dog's qualities in its new RDX. This is a new compact luxury SUV and represents the latest trend in the SUV segment. As a counter to your neighbor's hulking 'Slade, the RDX's auto-zodiac traits have it being smaller, less conspicuous and more fuel-efficient, but with enough toys to keep the bourgeoisie happy. Vive la résistance!

 

[halik]

ugly... that car wishes it were an fx35

 

[dethman]

check it out...torque in a honda. who'da thunk it.

 

[vi edit]

Meh.

Rav 4 V6 is faster, bigger, more efficient, doesn't require premium and is thousands cheaper.

 

[TheAudit]

The interior looks nice.
The front end is too busy.

 

[tfinch2]

Man that front end got beat with the ugly stick.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Has Honda ever produced another turbocharged engine for a road car? I can't think of one. Will wonders never cease!

 

[DivideBYZero]

The best engine in the world is the S54.

 

[Aharami]

The result is 240 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm

woah. a honda producing more torque than hp. this is revolutionary indeed

 

[PricklyPete]

Ugly though.

I'll be excited if they stick this thing in the nextgen TSX. Just don't uglify it as well.

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Factory Turbocharger in a Honda?

I see it was with some help from Mistubushi.

 

[Vic]

Wow... that thing got mangled with the ugly stick.

I'm not seeing how the engine is that impressive. Sure, it's a turbo-charged Honda... OMG WOW, but there are other comparable turbo-4's out there from other manufacturers with better specs.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Made in conjunction with Mitsubuishi? WTF? You can't get your own turbo'ed I4 right Honda? (Although Mitsu does do a fine job of theirs)

 

[Chadder007]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Meh.

Rav 4 V6 is faster, bigger, more efficient, doesn't require premium and is thousands cheaper.

QFT. Acura sucks at the Luxury segment....their cars should just be called Honda's here.

 

[Strk]

What next, a v8?

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: Strk
What next, a v8?

and a massive one like the LS7 at that:laugh:

 

[mercanucaribe]

Not understaning the point of this kind of vehicle..

And it's uncanny how similar this thing is to the Mazda CX-7...

 

[AMDZen]

They've had a V8 planned for the next gen Ridgeline since the Ridgeline was drawn up on paper

 

[Dr. Detroit]

This thing is gonna flop just like their RL.

Americans have not gotten away from their aversions to turbos yet and paying $35K for a 4cyl just does not sit too well with many people.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
This thing is gonna flop just like their RL.

Americans have not gotten away from their aversions to turbos yet and paying $35K for a 4cyl just does not sit too well with many people.

It won't flop. Their target market is the same group that WANTS turbos. Young & affluent buyers. The same group buying WRX's, EVO's, and Volkswagens.

They now have a ramped up cute ute to choose from that is a bit more functional to haul two adults and a kid or a dog.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

VQ35 is the best engine in the world.

 

[codeyf]

So sad. I don't recall it being NEARLY that fugly when I saw the concept pics a while back...

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Ward's 10 best engines for 2006

Audi 2 L I4 FSI turbocharged DOHC
Audi 4.2 L V8 DOHC
BMW 3 L I6 DOHC
DaimlerChrysler 5.7 L V8 Hemi Magnum
Ford 4.6 L V8 Modular SOHC
General Motors 2 L I4 Ecotec LSJ supercharged DOHC
General Motors 2.8 L V6 High-Feature turbocharged DOHC
Mazda 2.3 L I4 MZR DISI turbocharged DOHC
Nissan 3.5 L V6 DOHC
Toyota 3.5 L V6 DOHC

 

[randomlinh]

2.3L turbo... heh.. i thought I was reading the CX7 article for a minute. I'd rather have that or the new rav4 v6.

 

[mb]

I want one