Mile High Acura Blog

The Acura RDX, whether the 2008 version or another model year, is earning its due as a favorite on the streets and highways of Denver and throughout the Colorado Rocky Mountain region.

The Acura RDX, introduced for the 2007 model year, is considered a small luxury crossover SUV. Compared to the Honda CR-V, of which there is minimal mechanical similarity, the RDX is much more upscale in terms of interior design, features and performance. Its all-new engine is a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder that’s capable of 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard fare, and the RDX is equipped with Acura’s advanced Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive system. SH-AWD transfers torque between the wheels (front and rear, and side-to-side) to optimize steering and handling under every driving situation. Other important standard performance features include stability control, traction control and antilock disc brakes with brake assist.

For the entry-level luxury crossover SUV segment, the Acura RDX stands out for its list of premium standard features. For instance, leather seating, heated seats, xenon headlights, Bluetooth and a 260-watt audio system with a six-CD changer are all standard. An optional Technology Package adds a navigation system (with voice activation and real-time traffic reporting), sun-sensing climate control system and a rearview camera. The stereo also gets upgraded to a 410-watt surround-sound system with 10 speakers and speed sensitivity control.

The Acura RDX is the second Acura vehicle to feature the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure which is designed to absorb energy from a collision. The RDX comes standard with six airbags, including dual front airbags, front side airbags and dual side curtain airbags. The front airbags use a dual-threshold, dual-stage technology that can adjust the timing and speed of each airbag deployment depending on the degree of impact and the driver’s or front passenger’s seat belt usage. If sensors deem the front passenger too small (less than 65 lb.), the front airbag is designed not to deploy. The front passenger’s side airbag is also designed to shut off if a child or small statured-adult is leaning into the airbag’s deployment path. In the event of a sufficient side impact or roll-over, the side curtain airbag deploys from above the door frames of the affected side, with coverage for both the front and rear occupants on that side, and stays inflated longer than if there were a collision.

Front seats have active head restraints and their seat belts are equipped with pre-tensioners and force-limiters. As of November 2006 the RDX was crash tested by the NHTSA, resulting in a perfect ’5 Star’ rating for driver and passenger frontal crashes, and front and rear side impacts.

If you’re looking for an SUV that’s scaled just a bit smaller than the Acura MDX but still retains some great style and safety features, the Acura RDX may be for you. And in the Denver, Colorado front range area, Mile High Acura on South Havana in Denver is a place where you can get additional information, and test drive an Acura RDX if you like.

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