Honda Car Forum

Overview

For 2007, a completely new Sport Utility Vehicle joins the growing Acura product line. The RDX is an advanced 5-passenger Entry Premium SUV with handling and performance that positions it as the SUV soul mate of the Acura TSX sports sedan.

The RDX concept was initiated in California and then developed in Japan. It features precedent-setting engineering features for Acura, including the luxury division's first turbocharged and intercooled engine, the first adaptation of the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD™) system to an SUV, and Acura's first standard 18-inch wheels and tires. Likewise, the RDX continues Acura's "Safety Through Innovation" with the application of cutting edge standard safety technologies. True to form for Acura, the RDX also offers a class-leading array of sophisticated electronic technologies that are seamlessly integrated to keep its passengers informed, in touch and entertained.

Entry Premium Suv Market

The Entry Premium SUV segment is relatively new, at present populated by only a few vehicles including the Acura RDX and BMW X3. This segment is expected to grow five-fold in the next few years and the RDX positions Acura strongly within it, with a host of unique and attractive features.

Target Customer

RDX targets young professionals that are upwardly mobile, work hard and play hard too. The typical buyer enjoys playing a sport, lives in the city, and on the weekends often travels to the mountains, country or coast. This customer wants an emotional and stylish vehicle that offers a higher "eye-point" (driving position) and more cargo flexibility than a sedan - but with the style, handling and performance of a great sports sedan. Thus, the transformable utility of the RDX - along with its engaging performance and handling - is a perfect fit.

Powertrain Features

• Turbocharged and intercooled 2.3-liter 16-valve, DOHC i-VTEC® inline-four engine


• 240 horsepower at 6000 rpm SAE net *


• 260 lbs.-ft. of torque at 4500 rpm SAE net *


• i-VTEC - Intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control


• Dual balance shafts


• 5-speed automatic transmission with F1®-style Sequential SportShift Paddle Shifters


• Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD™)


• Drive-by-Wire Throttle System™


• EPA estimated 19/23 mpg (City/Highway)


• CARB-certified LEV II ULEV and EPA-certified Tier-2 Bin-5 emissions

Body & Chassis Features

• Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) unit body structure with extensive use of high-tensile steel


• Independent MacPherson strut front suspension


• Independent multi-link rear suspension


• Torque-sensing, variable power-assist rack-and-pinion steering


• 18 x 7-1/2 JJ aluminum-alloy wheels


• P235/55R18 99V M+S all-season high-performance tires


• 4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and brake assist


• Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®) with traction control


• 1,500-pound tow rating


• Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) low-beam headlights


• Heated outside mirrors with passenger reverse gear tilt-down and integrated directional signals

Interior Features

• Luxurious cockpit designed for performance driving


• Perforated leather-trimmed seats


• LED backlit gauges with progressive illumination


• Leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel with fingertip controls
  
  and F1®-style paddle shifters


• Multi-Information Display


• Power moonroof with tilt, auto-open/close, auto-reverse and key-off operation


• Dual-mode cargo system


• Supportive sport-type front seating


• Dual-zone automatic climate control system with air filtration


• Briefcase-sized, locking center front console with dual-level storage


• 60/40 split-folding flat-folding rear seating


• 7-speaker Acura Premium Sound System with multi-format 6-disc changer, AM/FM tuner, and XM® Satellite Radio receiver


• Driver's 8-way power seat with power-adjustable lumbar support


• Manual tilt and telescoping steering column


• HomeLink®


• Heated front seats


• MP3/auxiliary input jack

Optional Technology Package

• Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™


• Rearview camera


• AcuraLink™ Satellite Communication System with real-time traffic


• 10-speaker Acura/ELS Surround® Premium Sound System with multi-format DVD-A 6-disc changer, AM/FM tuner, and XM® Satellite Radio


• HandsFreeLink® wireless telephone interface compatible with many Bluetooth mobile phones


• Multi-Information Display (MID) with steering wheel controls


• GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone, automatic climate control system

Safety Features

• Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure


• Side impact door beams


• Impact-absorbing crumple zones (front/rear)


• Dual stage, dual threshold front airbags (SRS)


• Front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)


• Side curtain airbags for front and rear outboard seats with rollover sensor


• Active front head restraints


• 3-point adjustable-height front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters


• 3-point seat belts at all three rear seating positions


• Automatic Locking Retractor/Emergency Locking Retractors (ALR/ELR) (excluding driver)


• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child-seat mounting system (rear seats)


• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with optional pressure readout


• 4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist


• Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control


• Mirror integrated LED directional signals


• All around visibility (276 degrees)


• Theft-deterrent system with electronic immobilizer

Engine & Powertrain

The RDX was engineered to be a technical tour de force within the emerging Entry Premium SUV segment. Its engine and powertrain feature a host of new and updated technologies for Acura that deliver strong driving performance together with good fuel economy and low emissions.

RDX features Acura's first application of a forced-induction engine. The all-new 2.3-liter aluminum engine features an advanced variable flow turbo designed to provide quick response at low rpm as well as strong high-rpm power. The advantage is immediate acceleration that drivers want in the city environment, together with 240 horsepower for the passing and hill-climbing ability of a 6-cylinder engine. The RDX's turbocharged inline four produces 260 lbs.-ft. of torque. It also returns an EPA estimated 19/23* mpg (city/highway), while meeting tough CARB LEV II ULEV and EPA Tier-2 Bin-5 emissions standards.

Acura's commitment to making the RDX fun to drive continues with a 5-speed automatic transmission with F1®-style Sequential SportShift Paddle Shifters. But perhaps the most breathtaking feature of the RDX is its Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD™). First introduced in the 2005 Acura RL and then specially adapted for the RDX, the system shifts power to the outside rear wheel to help boost cornering power and steering precision. The level of handling response and driver control provided by SH-AWD puts the RDX in a class by itself.

* Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage may vary.

Body & Chassis

Befitting its agenda as an urban sports vehicle for young professional singles or couples, the RDX body design is powerful and athletic with muscular bodylines that impart a sense of command and control. The exterior styling theme was an "urban running back" fitted with "athletic armor." Key styling elements include body sides that rake upward front to rear, large wheel arches that emphasize the big 18-inch wheels and tires, a short rear overhang, and a cargo door that's positioned flush with the bumper.

Highlights include:

• Compact size that is well proportioned for maneuvering through city traffic and parking structures


• A high eye-point that allows an excellent field of view


• Rigid unit body structure and independent suspension enhances steering precision and ride quality


• Low Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels befitting a luxury SUV

Widespread use of high-tensile steel provides the rigidity necessary for the 4-wheel independent suspension system to work optimally while helping to reduce NVH. The RDX uses 39% (by weight)high-tensile steel to provide increased strength at a lower weight. Other engineering features include precise aerodynamic tuning that reduces drag and improves quietness inside the cabin. This tailoring includes a tailgate spoiler, rear wheel strakes, and aerodynamic side mirrors.

The RDX rides on 4-wheel independent suspension - specially tuned MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link design in back. The mounting points for the suspension were carefully engineered to reduce the transmission of noise, vibration and harshness into the passenger cabin. Standard 18-inch tires and wheels are a first for Acura, and the 4-wheel disc brakes include a 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and brake assist. Torque-sensing power assist rack-and-pinion steering provides quick steering response with outstanding feel.

Interior

A finely appointed urban loft apartment is the feel that Acura designers sought when crafting the RDX interior. The contemporary styling and high-quality materials are confident, functional and upscale. The driver-oriented cockpit includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel, LED backlit gauges with progressive illumination and a Multi-Information Display (MID) that allows access to multiple electronic functions. Among the advanced electronic technologies in the RDX is a standard 7-speaker Acura Premium Sound System with a multi-format 6-disc changer, AM/FM tuner and XM® Satellite Radio.A convenient MP3/auxiliary input jack makes it easy to connect an iPod® or other similar devices to the audio system.

The RDX seats five and caters to the driver and front passenger first and foremost. The RDX has an elevated eye-point that enhances the outward view. Its standard leather seating surfaces and ergonomically designed seat contours are designed to provide sedan-like comfort. The power driver's seat is 8-way adjustable with power adjustable lumbar support for a custom fit.

Besides exemplary comfort, interior roominess and cargo carrying were high priorities for RDX designers. The rear seats are highly versatile and permit a wide range of storage capabilities. With the 60/40 split-folding rear seats folded flat, the rear cargo area offers up to 60.6 cubic feet of storage. Numerous interior storage compartments include a large lockable dual-level center console between the front seats. For greater passenger comfort, a dual-zone automatic climate control system is standard.

Optional Technology Package

The RDX is so well equipped that only one optional package is available. Appealing to audiophile and computer-savvy customers, the Technology Package makes the RDX truly "wired." The available Technology Package includes a 10-speaker Acura/ELS Surround® Premium Sound System with multi-format 6-disc DVD-A changer, AM/FM tuner, and XM® Satellite Radio. The Technology Package also includes HandsFreeLink® wireless telephone interface, AcuraLink™ Satellite Communication System with Real Time Traffic, the Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™, rearview camera and a GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone, automatic climate control system. In total, these technologies put the RDX at the cutting edge of the Entry Premium SUV segment.

Saftey

The 2007 RDX breaks ground in a number of important safety areas. Its ACE™ body makes the RDX compatible with smaller vehicles if a car-to-car frontal collision should occur, and it has a specially engineered hood and other components to reduce the chance of injury in the event of a collision with a pedestrian.

Passive safety features include the latest dual-stage, dual-threshold airbag technology for the driver and front passenger, side airbags for the driver and front passenger, and side curtain airbags with rollover sensors for all outboard occupants. LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children), a child-seat mounting system, makes it easy to quickly secure a child seat in the rear seats (see Safety Tab for more details).

Engineering & Manufacturing

The RDX is the first Acura light truck to be assembled in Honda of America Manufacturing's facility in Marysville, Ohio, the same factory that produces the Acura TL. As a result, it now brings light-truck production capacity and even greater versatility to the Marysville, Ohio plant. In addition, RDX represents the first time that an American engineer has headed a Japanese development team in creating a new Acura vehicle.

Producing both an SUV and a sedan on the same assembly line requires additional flexibility because of dimensional differences (in particular the height and width of the RDX rear section). The assembly process in Marysville was optimized for workers installing the overhead rear hatch, to minimize overhead lifting and reaching. In addition, the assembly plant was modified to accommodate the installation of the RDX's SH-AWD™ system. This was necessary due to the additional components such as the rear propeller shaft and rear differential.

Accessories

A host of attractive Genuine Acura Accessories were developed simultaneously with the RDX. Like all Genuine Acura Accessories, they are covered by the RDX's 4-year, 50,000-mile basic warranty when purchased with the vehicle or 12 months 12,000 miles when purchased separate from the vehicle.