2010 Acura RDX,Reviews

The 2010 Acura RDX receives a base front-wheel-drive version as well as revised exterior styling, automatic headlights, a tweaked braking system, a back-up camera, Bluetooth streaming audio compatibility, a USB jack and ambient footwell lighting.For 2010, the RDX also features a host of changes designed to keep it fresh.

A front-wheel-drive version is newly available, just in time to compete with front-drive rivals like the Cadillac SRX and Volvo XC60 3.2.We wouldn't count the engaging 2010 Acura RDX out, though.

The 2010 Acura RDX is a small five-passenger luxury crossover SUV available in one well-equipped trim level.

The 2010 Acura RDX is available with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Both RDX versions are powered by a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. In performance testing, we clocked an all-wheel-drive RDX at 6.8 seconds from zero to 60 mph, one of the quickest times among compact luxury crossovers.

Safety Every 2010 Acura RDX comes standard with antilock brakes (with brake assist), stability control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. Interior Design and Special Features With standard leather seating, imitation metal accents, blue gauge illumination and a sleek dash design, the RDX's interior is undeniably a premium environment.

Driving Impressions The 2010 Acura RDX's audible turbo whooshing sound is a pleasant departure from the standard six-cylinder soundtracks in this segment.

2010 Acura MDX,Reviews

If you're looking for a well-rounded luxury crossover SUV, you're going to like the 2010 Acura MDX. The MDX's 3.7-liter V6 engine has also been updated. This quibble aside, though, the 2010 Acura MDX is one of our top picks for a luxury crossover. The 2010 Acura MDX is a midsize seven-passenger crossover SUV available (via packages) in five trim levels. There are then four packages to choose from: Technology package, Technology with Entertainment package, Advance package, Advance with Entertainment package.

The 2010 Acura MDX Technology package adds upgraded leather trim, an automatic phonebook-downloading feature for the Bluetooth system, a multi-angle rearview camera, a hard-drive-based navigation system (with voice activation, Zagat restaurant ratings, weather reporting and traffic reporting with rerouting), a GPS-linked/solar-sensing climate control system and a superb 10-speaker Panasonic/ELS surround-sound system with digital music storage.

The Advance package includes all the Technology package items, plus 19-inch wheels, an active sport suspension, perforated leather upholstery with contrasting stitching, ventilated front seats, a sport steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, a blind-spot detection system and Acura's Collision Mitigating Braking System. The 2010 MDX is powered by a 3.7-liter V6 that produces 300 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control (via paddle shifters) is standard. When properly equipped, the MDX's maximum towing capacity is 5,000 pounds.

Safety
Standard safety equipment for the 2010 Acura MDX includes antilock disc brakes with brake assist, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, active front head restraints and stability control with a stabilizing feature for trailer towing. In government crash tests, the Acura MDX earned a top five-star rating in all of the frontal-impact and side-impact tests. The MDX's cabin is a technology lover's dream.

Driving Impressions
For a three-row SUV, the 2010 Acura MDX does a fine job of acting as if it's not one.

2011 Acura ZDX,Reviews

The 2011 Acura ZDX carries over unchanged from its inaugural year.
First impressions of the 2011 Acura ZDX hint at muscular performance and sharp handling. On the plus side, the 2011 Acura ZDX features an interior that artfully blends luxury and modernity. The ZDX's dramatically sloping roof line shaves off more than 3 inches of rear-seat headroom, challenging even average-sized adults to find comfort.

The 2011 Acura ZDX is a midsize five-passenger crossover SUV. Standard equipment includes 19-inch wheels, automatic xenon headlights, foglights, heated outside mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, ambient cabin lighting, a back-up camera with a rearview mirror display, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column, power heated front seats (10-way-adjustable driver seat with memory, eight-way for the front passenger), leather upholstery and interior trim, a trip computer, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth and a power liftgate. There are two significant option packages for the ZDX. The Advance package includes these features plus electronically adjustable suspension dampers, a blind-spot warning system, adaptive cruise control, a collision warning and mitigation system, heated and ventilated front seats and a sport steering wheel.

Powering the 2011 Acura ZDX is a 3.7-liter V6 that produces 300 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The ZDX's maximum towing capacity is an underwhelming 1,500 pounds.

Safety
Standard safety equipment for the 2011 Acura ZDX includes antilock disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, traction control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. The Acura ZDX has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash testing procedures. The 2011 Acura ZDX features an appealing cockpit, notable for its intriguing design and liberal use of leather. The ZDX also comes up short in useful cargo space.