2008 Acura RDX Lithia Springs GA

November 3, 2009   By Alison Lakin, Associate Editor



2008 Acura RDX
DriverSide Overview
The idea that an SUV can drive like a car is still a relatively new concept. The first SUVs were made for off-road purposes with a lot of torque and very few trimmings. Now, the game has changed. The 2008 Acura RDX is a shining example of this budding class of ultra-sporty, crossover SUVs. A turbo boost - Acura’s first - and 240 horsepower are smoothly coupled to provide a powerful ride. The interior is plush and refined, with a hint of sportiness that extends to the exterior styling. In the RDX, transporting four passengers is as easy as winding around mountain roads. It is a merging of two different worlds, and a successful one at that.








What's to Like
If we could simply write “turbocharger” here, we would. This beast of an engine makes the drive aggressive and feisty, and in an SUV too. Its five-star crash test ratings are a testament to the car’s safety, leaving you worry-free behind the wheel.

What's Not to Like
Though it’s a compact SUV, we’d like to have climate controls in for the rear. Also, the rear seats do fold down, but it’s awkward to do so and the heavy seats don’t fold entirely flat.

The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
The RDX proves that looks can be deceiving. Within a few moments of stepping on the gas you completely forget you’re in an SUV and can only think about tearing around the next approaching corner. The turbocharger, Acura’s first, is a marvel with hardly any turbo lag and almost instant pickup, and the 2.3-liter engine dispenses a brawny thrust. Once you allow yourself to move beyond the turbocharged power of the car, you’ll notice the pinpoint handling and sound transmission. Shift into sport mode and the wheel movements will be even sharper and the engine will begin to snarl menacingly – this is when the RDX feels like there should be a Type R badge on the rear deck lid.

Engine and Drivetrain
The all-wheel drive RDX has a 2.3-liter, 4-cylinder engine churning out 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The five-speed automatic transmission allows you to switch to manual mode and control the gears with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system dedicates up to 100% of power to the wheel that needs it most. Generally, all-wheel drive systems distribute torque between the front and back wheels. The Acura system is the only one to spread the power between the left and right rear wheels as well, giving the RDX lateral traction when needed.

Interesting Vehicle Features and Options
Acura has packed a number of standard features into this compact SUV – better for you, the consumer. XM satellite radio and an auxiliary input jack for mp3 players will take care of any audio needs, while the heated, leather sport seats, telescoping steering wheel and a plethora ...

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