If you’ve ever experienced what it’s like to drive away from the dealership in your new car thinking that you’ve bought something

The RDX wears Acura's shield proudly, toned down somewhat from its larger MDX brother but looking just as distinctive. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

unique and somewhat exclusive, only to have your eyes suddenly opened wide to many more of the same cars that have somehow magically popped out of some never before seen motorized void, you can imagine what it’s like to be an automotive journalist.

Driving back from Honda Canada’s western office I was surrounded by Acura RDXs, a vehicle I had previously misjudged as being only marginally popular. This experience lasted the entire week, at times having one pull up behind me as another drove by the other way. While the RDX is no Honda CR-V on the popularity scale, it certainly isn’t a wallflower that never gets to dance.

And dance it does. Yes, this little ute is seriously fun to drive. In case you’ve been misinformed, the RDX is no pimped out CR-V. In fact, other than general dimensions, which are about an inch apart all-round, the two compact crossovers have

The second generation RDX is visually much more appealing than the first model. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

nothing in common except for familial heritage. The RDX is 100-percent Acura, and all it takes is one stint behind the wheel to put this into perspective.

But before I comment on how it drives I’ve got to delve deeper into its claim to premium status. Truly, it impresses as soon as you shut the door, and I mean that in more ways than just the feel of its high-quality materials and top-tier switchgear. The weight of that door and the sound it makes closing are just two critical tests passed. The feel of the thick leather-clad steering wheel comes next, and the front seats are as good as this class gets. It’s roomy too, front and back plus there’s ample storage space ahead of its liftgate. I think, when it comes to the basics, the RDX can go up against any

The RDX is plenty fun to drive. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

premium compact crossover, whether German, Swedish, American or Japanese. Some may like a car that’s more traditionally luxurious, but others will appreciate the high-tech look and feel of Acura’s junior CUV. Either way, it measures up in fit, finish, materials quality and features. Well, at least most of the features are there.

I have a bit of a beef with Acura’s naming strategy. After all, to call this particular RDX trim level “Technology” might have worked a few years ago, but it’s lacking in areas that are more commonplace now. Such is the case with an auto industry that has embraced high-tech so fully and completely. After all, where is its proximity sensing key and push-button start-stop system? Where is the electronic parking brake? Why don’t all the windows power up and down automatically! And two-way heated seats? Not very premium, I must say. To banter about the term “Technology” this day and age it had better come replete with all of the latest gadgetry. To be fair, the current RDX will only be with us until its 2013 replacement comes, and we can expect all of the above and more to be offered if not standard by then. In the meantime, the Technology Package gets a superb 410-watt audio system upgrade with a 6-disc in-dash CD

The top-line Technology model is short on a couple of popular new features but just the same long on the tech that really matters. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

changer, XM satellite radio, MP3/WindowsMedia Audio capability, Bluetooth audio streaming, DVD-Audio, ELS Surround with Dolby Pro Logic II, and 10 speakers. Acura’s navigation system, also included, remains a class leader for ease of use and capability, too. It’s integrated back-up camera works well, even in the rain, and the overall usability of the big-screen infotainment system is simple by any standards. You’ll like it.

But I’m willing to guess you’ll like the way the RDX drives even more. It’s a canyon carver if there ever was one. A crossover that has totally forgotten it needed to cross over anything, feeling more like a thoroughbred sport sedan than anything nearly as tall and practical as this handy little family hauler. Its undercarriage specs don’t show anything particularly novel, with a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension setup, including 21 mm and 19 mm stabilizer bars respectively, and nice meaty 235/55R18 all-season tires, but nevertheless it sticks to pavement, dry or drenched, uncannily.

Acura’s fabulous

Rear seating is good. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) adds more than its share of glue to the mixture, thanks to an ability to transfer torque between front and rear axles as well as from side to side, while advanced traction and stability control systems join ABS-, EBD- and BA-enhanced four-wheel discs to optimize safety. The RDX needs powerful brakes as it’s no lightweight at 1,793 kilos (3,952 lbs) in top-level trim, but of course weight can be a bonus when trying to make a small car feel solidly planted. In this case it all works ideally, and the little RDX responds with grin-inducing connectivity.

Its need for grip would hardly be as critical if it weren’t for the bundle of four-cylinder, turbocharged energy behind its “shielded” grille. At a mere 2.3 litres of displacement, this feisty fireball pulls from standstill with almost instantaneous torque, although its full 260 lb-ft comes on at

Storage space is ample. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

4,500 rpm. It takes 6,000 revs to maximize all 240 horsepower, but again that spins up quickly to get this little ute hauling as if there was a V6 ahead of the firewall.

And it’s not so speedy because of a particularly advanced transmission either. The RDX utilizes a rather conventional torque converted 5-speed automatic instead of a higher-tech 6- or 7-speed autobox, double-clutch sequential manual, or fuel-friendly CVT, and while Acura’s solution is more tried and true than innovative, the shifts are snappy and can be actuated via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. If you’re concerned one whit about buying a four-cylinder sport ute when so many V6 models are available, don’t be. Again, one stint behind the wheel will prove the RDX’ worth if performance is key to your purchasing decision.

In the same breath, don’t expect the RDX four-cylinder

Acura navigation has long been first-rate. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

to bring about stellar fuel economy either. Sure, it’s rated at an estimated 11.7 L/100km in the city and 8.7 on the highway, which is about average even amongst V6 drivetrains, but only use the ridiculously unrealistic Canadian standard as a guide when comparison shopping. The U.S. EPA’s rating system is more realistic at 17 mpg (U.S.) in the city and 20 on the highway, the converted equivalent of 13.8 L/100km in the city and 11.8 on the highway. Add to this a thirst for more expensive premium fuel and the RDX can be a bit expensive to own, but this is par for the course in the premium class, and as I argued earlier, Acura’s compact crossover should be accepted alongside the X3s and GLKs of the world without hesitation.

Then again, its noted reliability might make you feel even more pampered than its German

The audio interface is a bit busy but it sounds brilliant! (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

rivals. In its 2010 Initial Quality Study (IQS), J. D. Power and Associates rated the Japanese brand 2nd out of 37 nameplates. The same firm’s 2010 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which surveys customers after 3 years of ownership, ranks Acura in 10th place. On top of that, the RDX gets a perfect “Good” crash test rating from the IIHS and 5 stars from the NHTSA.

My tester’s Technology Package added $2,000 to the base RDX asking price of $40,490, plus a rather hefty $1,895 destination charge, but all in all it’s a relative bargain in a class with rivals that can reach up and over $50k when similarly equipped.

Interior

Exterior

Mechanical

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Dimensions

Misc

(J003) Standard Metallic Paint