First Drive: 2010 Acura RDX

[svgallery name="2010 Acura RDX"] Story and photos by John LeBlanc PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. - In a down-turned economy that's created a drop in new car sales, one of the few segments to grow is the compact luxury crossover. The promise of car-like handling and interior features, the utility of a hatchback and a modicum of off-road ability has been this class' recipe for finding favour with more and more new vehicle buyers. Although the 2004 BMW X3 can be considered the vehicle that jump-started interest in this class, most premium brands now have a small, premium crossover of some kind in their lineup. For Honda's premium Acura brand, it's the RDX that debuted in 2006. When it first appeared, the five-passenger RDX was considered one of the more fun-to-drive vehicles in its class. It came with the brand's first production turbocharged engine and a version of Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, first seen on the flagship RL sedan. But since then, fresher compact crossovers from Audi, Infiniti, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Volvo have started to nip at its heels. Despite a plethora of options for buyers in this class, a testament to the segment's popularity, the four-year-old RDX saw sales increase 17 per cent in Canada for the first half of 2009. To keep that momentum humming along, for 2010 the RDX receives a refreshed exterior, an upgraded interior with new technology features and slightly improved fuel economy. A new front-wheel-drive version arrives in the U.S. this year, but in Canada, the RDX remains solely an AWD vehicle. Pricing starts at $39,990. A $3,000 Technology package is the lone upgrade. As before, the only drivetrain is a 240-hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine. It's hooked up to a five-speed automatic gearbox. Technical improvements include a thicker inlet pipe on the turbocharger system to reduce noise during high-boost situations (ie. acceleration) and a dual-stage radiator fan to reduce cabin noise. According to Transport Canada the 2010 RDX's fuel economy ratings are improved eight per cent from 2009, now rated at 11.7 L/100 km city and 8.7 L/100 km on the highway. Acura credits a higher-ratio fourth and fifth gears and an improved lock-up clutch in the automatic, plus better aerodynamics and other details. Like the TSX sedan prior to the availability of the new V6 this year, RDX provided competitive power and torque, but with fewer cylinders than the competition. But being one of the lighter vehicles in its class, the Acura can post a very competitive 6.7 seconds 0-100 km/h run. Fundamentally, little has changed inside the RDX. Like the Honda CR-V, the RDX is loosely based on Honda Civic nuts and bolts. That means you sit relatively low compared to others in its class, with a very car-like seating position. Unfortunately, the RDX's busy interior design is starting to date, especially when put up against newer and more aesthetically pleasing interiors found in the Audi Q5 or Volvo XC60. But one thing those European crossovers can't compete with at the same price point is the RDX's generous amount of standard kit. And for 2010, Acura has added even more stuff. New standard interior features include a rear view camera system, electronic compass, a rear hatch pull handle, automatic headlights, ambient footwell lighting, and a USB port (also located in the centre console) that allows for the easy connection of entertainment items like the ubiquitous iPods, iPhones or a USB memory stick. One of the best improvements Acura made to the RDX was to leave its nimble handling setup alone. It's eager and agile on a serpentine road, while the turbocharged engine is relatively quick to respond to your right foot. Others in this class may ride higher with the faint hope that their owners will take them off-road (Land Rover LR2, I'm talking to you) but riding in the RDX feels downright low-slung. To a certain degree, Acura's smallest crossover drives more like a sport wagon. Its light steering is sharp and communicative, with no slack at turn-in. Its body motions are kept well under control. It always feels very well planted, even when you forget you're driving a crossover and treat it more like a "normal" car. The 2010 model's new 18-inch wheel and tire package had me concerned, though. The last example I drove when it was launched four years ago had a brittle and harsh ride. But Acura re-tuned the suspension for a smoother ride, without sacrificing any of its flat cornering abilities. Then there's the SH-AWD, which vectors power to the outside rear wheel in corners to stave off understeer. It works. Enough said. You may have noticed that the RDX doesn't sport any faux SUV paraphernalia. There's no hill descent control, adjustable air suspension to hike its sheet metal skirt, or pseudo-skid plates. So any dreams of crossing the Serengeti or a weekend drive to Iqaluit should be erased from your driving calendar. But Acura isn't making any apologies. The RDX is truly an on-road type of crossover. And in a class that seems to be getting more competitive by the minute, that's just fine with most of us who stay on the beaten path. 2010 Acura RDX Base price: $39,990 Type of vehicle: AWD compact crossover Engine: 2.3L, 16-valve DOHC I-4 turbocharged Power/torque: 240 hp / 260 lb.-ft. Transmission: Five-speed automatic Fuel consumption (city/hwy.): 11.7 / 8.7 L/100 km Competition: Audi Q5, BMW X3, Infiniti EX35, Land Rover LR2, Mazda CX-7, Mercedes-Benz GLK, Volkswagen Tiguan, Volvo XC60 PREVIEW SUMMARY PROS Sticks with Acura's feature-laden formula Supportive front seats Sports sedan steering and handling CONS Turbo-four can't match refinement of rival V6s Interior has too many buttons Strictly an on-road machine

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