2012 Acura RDX

Honda has had its share of experience with turbochargers, what with its background in motor sports and all, but it took the company and its luxury division Acura a while to get this technology into its production model lineup.

 

In fact, the Acura RDX was the first North American model to get it, when it made its debut here, in 2007. Even then, the RDX had a gestation period of about eight years, and Honda collaborated with Mitsubishi to get everything sorted out.

 

Honda has never been a company to rush into things and, when it finally does get around to something, it's usually done right - at least as far as engines and drivetrains are concerned.

 

You could argue that the RDX might have been just as appealing with a small-displacement, normally aspirated V-6 engine, but - with some 240 horsepower on tap and an almost seamless delivery of power - the forced-air-induction, 2.3-litre, four cylinder works nicely, and delivers decent fuel economy in the bargain.

 

And a word about the turbocharger in this rig. Acura describes it as a variable-flow system, which means that the exhaust gases that propel the turbocharger can be managed to increase or decrease the spin rate of the turbine. It's a slick setup, and gives the RDX virtually instant power - no turbo lag here. Off-the-line jump is exceptional and this may be the most useable and refined turbocharged four-cylinders I've ever driven.

 

Also a factor in Acura's deliberations was the concept of a performance-based SUV, rather than a down-and-dirty stump jumper. Yes, the RDX does have an all-wheel-drive system, but it's designed to enhance handling and road performance, not the vehicle's ability to traverse off-road terrain.

 

Known as Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD), this setup redirects power from the front to the rear driving wheels, and then distributes again it between the left and right rear wheels, depending on road conditions and what the driver is doing. It's also found in the Acura RL sedan.

 

The idea, according to Acura, is to keep the vehicle stable during high-speed cornering, by using the engine's torque to counteract any understeer or oversteer. Funny thing is, the majority of people who drive an RDX probably won't even notice, and the RDX, though it's meant to bridge the gap between a practical family wagon and a sport sedan, is still a sport-ute.