2010 Acura RDX

While it's similar to the Honda CR-V in duty, the 2010 Acura RDX develops quite a different personality from its relative. The styling is sportier, with a more sloping rear end that sacrifices some cargo room for a sleek look.Reviewers from across the Web find the 2010 Acura RDX's styling inside and out to be among the best in the compact luxury crossover segment. With high praise coming from almost all reviewers, the mildly updated 2010 RDX carries Acura's reputation for modern, tech-influenced designs. MyRide.com calls the 2010 Acura RDX "more athletic than aggressive," while Kelley Blue Book notes the "unconventional tailgate that is integrated into the rear bumper" provides a "smoother look to the rear end." MyRide.com asserts that the "designers did an excellent job of staying true to Acura's styling DNA."

Inside the RDX, Edmunds finds the interior to be "considerably more upscale than the average small SUV." Shifting gears to the dashboard, Cars.com thinks the "gauges are well-lit in a calming blue and white, and are easy to read." ConsumerGuide pans the console design by complaining the "audio and climate settings are undersized readouts in a distant dashtop slit," while Car and Driver sums up the styling by noting that, inside and out, the RDX "doesn't match the sense of occasion presented by the Mercedes-Benz GLK or Audi Q5." The driver-focused cockpit of the RDX gets new climate controls, ambient lighting, and more metallic trim to accent its high-tech look and complement its leather seats.

With 240 turbocharged horsepower, along with deft steering and braking, the 2010 Acura RDX is a dynamic favorite of TheCarConnection.com and other respected automotive sites.The energetic feel of its powertrain hasn't changed-the 2010 Acura RDX still comes across as a little spastic, thanks to turbo lag. The 240-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the Acura RDX is "slightly weaker than the less-expensive Mazda CX-7 and its turbocharged 244-hp engine," according to Car and Driver. Autoblog, however, likes the power of the Acura; 2010's RDX is fine with a "5-speed automatic transmission [with] manual shifting capability [that] is the only one available," the reviewer says. This is probably because the "260 foot-pounds of torque at 4500 rpm rival the power produced by some six-cylinder engines," ForbesAutos points out. Autoblog adds, "the torquey four still provides reasonably brisk and responsive acceleration whether you roll into the throttle or stab the long pedal."

Autoblog predicts the transmission will be upgraded to a six-speed automatic in 2011, but still approves of the current five-speed in the RDX. Cars.com initially complains "power doesn't come immediately when you're driving with the automatic transmission in standard drive," but in sport mode, the automatic's "shifts through the gears are above-average."

With its tidy dimensions, the 2010 Acura RDX unsurprisingly offers little in the way of backseat room. Seating is comfortable up front for adults, but the second-row bench doesn't sport the head- or legroom that those same adults will tolerate. It's a kid-sized space that's marginally quieter this year thanks to some tweaks. The seats do flip and fold to expand the 27.8 cubic feet of cargo room to 60.6 cubic feet.Reviews researched by TheCarConnection.com agree that the 2010 Acura RDX's quality exceeds the price tag that comes with it-but the RDX sacrifices some comfort at the expense of snappy performance. Cars.com lists the "manageable dimensions" as a huge plus; MyRide.com says "sturdy seats hold occupants nicely," and the driver's seat, with "an eight-way power unit with lumbar and heating, is superb." But reviewers aren't as impressed with the 2010 Acura RDX from the backseat. Kelley Blue Book stays optimistic by declaring the backseat "cozy without being cramped."

Cargo gets a fairer treatment inside the RDX. Cars.com notes that "compared to other SUVs ... the RDX's cargo area is right up there with the best." ConsumerGuide also mentions "large door pockets and clever door armrest bins offer plenty of small-item storage." Completing the effective storage design is "a huge center console that's big enough to swallow a laptop computer," according to Kelley Blue Book.

Safety's no major concern in the 2010 Acura RDX. Traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes, and side and curtain airbags and a rearview camera are standard. The RDX earns five-star ratings in the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) front and side crash tests, as well as a four-star rating for rollover risk. It also has been named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).

Cars.com applauds the safety ratings in this Acura; 2010's RDX earns "the top rating of Good in both frontal and side-impact crash tests" performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety-a feat that also garners the RDX IIHS's Top Safety Pick honor.

Standard equipment is "generous," according to Edmunds, and includes "18-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, a moonroof, full power accessories, heated front seats, a power driver seat with memory, Bluetooth connectivity, leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control."For the 2010 model year, the RDX adds a new USB port that allows the connection of (and charging of) items such as an iPhone or iPod, along with an electronic compass, automatic headlights, and better cup holders. New options include DVD-Audio and real-time XM traffic info.

The Technology Package for 2010 includes a navigation system with voice recognition; a larger screen that embeds the image of the rearview camera (otherwise, it displays in the rearview mirror); real-time traffic and weather; and the ELS audio system with DVD-Audio, XM, 10 speakers, and 410 watts of power. A new "Note" function grabs the information for songs so that drivers can identify them later for purchase. A climate-control system attuned to changes in ambient temperature is also included.