Four-cylinder, turbocharged engines are kicking up performance levels for competitors in the crowded luxury compact crossover field. Most of the 10 makes offer turbo or supercharged power.
Horsepower claims have reached as high as 400 for the Porsche Macan, 325 for Volvo V60, 302 for Mercedes-Benz GLK and 300 for the BMW X3.
Coming my way last week was the 2016 version of the Acura RDX all-wheel-drive model.
The stately looking RDX appears to be somewhat of an anomaly, for three years ago it dumped its 4-cylinder turbo in favor of a 3.5-liter V-6 engine.
And, in bucking the turbo craze, the RDX seems to be on track, lonely as it may be.
The RDX is best-seller among the 10 luxury compact crossovers, with 20,657 sales in the first five months of this year. Others, in order of sales, are Audi Q5 17,396; the new Lexus NX 16,546; Mercedes-Benz GLK 11,286; BMW X3 10,982; Volvo XC60 9,461; Lincoln MKC 9,385; Range Rover Evoque 5,845; Porsche Macan 5,183; Infiniti QX50 1,015.
The RDX’s 279-horsepower V-6 (6 more hp than last year) and 6-speed automatic transmission deliver smoothness ahead of performance, which fits the style and image of the second-generation Acura.
The V-6, which falls short of the turbo users in low-end acceleration, is designed with cylinder deactivation capability for highway use. It can cruise on three cylinders, with the other three deactivated until needed for an incline or increased pedal.
The RDX AWD carries an EPA estimate of 19/28 miles per gallon; my overall average was 21.6.
Twist of a dial on the center console engages Sport mode from Eco for a more responsive throttle, stiffer steering and delay in upshifts. Relatively short paddle shifters are well-designed on the steering wheel crosspiece; they’re easily touched for instant shifts.
Acura is the luxury division for Honda, and though the RDX shares its underpinnings with Honda’s CR-V, it has the appearance of a considerably larger vehicle. In reality, it is 4 inches longer.
Its sharp exterior styling and new jewel-eye headlamps lend it one of the best-looking finishes among all the luxury compact crossovers. It would look in place among Lincolns, Buicks and Cadillacs at the downtown theatre on Friday nights or the church parking lot on Sunday mornings.
Offroading; probably not. Its all-wheel-drive setup, however, has been retuned to the capability of sending more torque from front wheels to rear in perilous driving situations.
The interior is roomy, with perforated leather seats, fairly flat and very supportive. A dual-screen multi-information setup includes an 8-inch display at the top of the center stack. A large storage bin dominates the center console. Twenty-six cubic feet of cargo room is easily accessed from the rear liftgate; the space falls 5 feet short of that in the Volvo V60.
Sticker price climbed to $44,340 with the addition of an AcuraWatch package of adaptive cruise control, multiview camera, land-departure warning and expanded-view driver’s side mirror.
This is the fourth 2016 model I’ve driven; others are the Kia Sorento, Mazda6 and Fiat 500X.
Here are the specifications for the ’16 Acura RDX AWD:
- Capacity 5-passenger
- Wheelbase 105.7 inches
- Length 183.5 inches
- Width 73.7 inches
- Height 66.1 inches
- Curb Weight 3,902 pounds
- Track 63.1 inches front, 63.4 rear
- Ground Clearance 8.1 inches
- Turn Circle 38.9 feet
- Drivetrain All-wheel-drive
- Engine 3.5-liter V-6
- Horsepower/Torque 279/251
- Transmission 6-speed automatic
- Steering electric power rack-pinion
- Suspension MacPherson strut front, double-wishbone rear
- Fuel mileage estimate 19/28
- Fuel mileage average 22.4
- Fuel Tank 16 gallons, premium
- Wheels 18-inch
- Tires Michelin Primacy P235/60R18
- Cargo Volume 26.1 cubic feet
- Warranty 4 years/50,000 miles basic, 6/70,000 powertrain
Competitors BMW X3, Audi Q5, Lincoln MKC, Range Rover Evoque
Assembly Plant East Liberty, Ohio
Parts Content U.S./Canadian 70%, Japan 15%
Base Price of Lowest Model $36,495; Base Price of Review Model $43,420; Destination Charge $920; Sticker Price $44,340.