Four adults will enjoy a reasonable amount of room, while the fifth one will likely prefer to take the bus. Rearward visibility (including the rear three-quarter view) is mediocre; the D-pillars are pretty wide, the rear window is tiny and the rear side glass is useless. On the plus side, the cargo area is generously sized, although you shouldn’t count on the RDX to move furniture. Moreover, towing capacity is limited to 680 kilos.

Four adults will enjoy a reasonable amount of room, while the fifth one will likely prefer to take the bus.

Problems with the laws of physics
The 2009 Acura RDX is fairly heavy at 1,792 kilos (3,950 lbs). Therefore, it’s no surprise that it can’t escape from certain laws of physics, particularly when accelerating or braking.

Turning inertia into motion requires a force and, with 240 horsepower on tap, the 4-cylinder turbocharged engine of the RDX struggles a little despite its 260 pounds-feet of torque. Sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h takes about 8 seconds. Turbo lag is noticeable, but overall performance is decent. Too bad this little powerplant quenches its thirst with premium fuel at a rate of 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres.

While calibrated for maximum fuel efficiency, the automatic transmission lacks the usual sixth gear. Fortunately, paddle shifters on the steering wheel allow us to throw our own little touch into the mix for a slightly sportier experience.

Saving the brand’s reputation for spirited driving dynamics is the Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). Standard on the Acura RDX, this system really works miracles to make handling, well, super. It controls each wheel individually and distributes torque to the ones needing the most traction at any given time, whether you’re entering or exiting a corner. From a dynamic standpoint, driving the RDX is very inspiring. This Acura may not be the all-world athlete that’s the BMW X3, but it proves way more comfortable in daily use. It has to be said, however, that the SH-AWD technology is essentially designed for pavement and not dirt roads, let alone mountain trails.

Meanwhile, the steering feels directly connected to the wheels and the suspension delivers outstanding ride quality on highways and winding country roads. The brakes are generally solid, although the bulk of the RDX has a lot to do with their reluctance to perform quick emergency stops.

With 240 hp on tap, the 4-cylinder turbocharged engine struggles a little despite its 260 lb-ft.