The latest prototype of the 2011 Acura NSX has hit the Nürburgring, and according to our sources in Japan, it has a very specific goal. We're told that Takeo Fukui, CEO of Honda, has tasked his R&D team with building an NSX that's faster around the Nürburgring than both the Nissan GT-R and the upcoming Lexus LF-A. It's a tall order, and one that Honda hopes it can achieve through the use of a 5.5-liter V10 expected to make 550 horses, with a torque peak expected to top 420 pound-feet. The engine is essentially a slightly larger version of the V8 that Honda will use for the next-generation, rear-wheel-drive RL sedan, and it will use cylinder deactivation under light loads for maximum efficiency. Additional gains will come from the use of an eight-speed, paddle-shifted automatic. Getting the power to the ground will be a modified version of Honda's Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) system. Packaging could be tight, however, as this NSX will place its V10 up front. A combination of steel and aluminum will be used for the chassis that will form the basis of this 2+2 sports car. What this means to you: The Acura NSX is less than two years away, and it's aiming to reclaim its title as Japan's ultimate supercar.

The 2008 Acura TL is increasingly becoming an oddball. While there are a handful of front-wheel-drive, entry-level luxury sedans, a scant few can claim to be truly sporty. A real high-performance driving experience can usually only be had when the power is sent to the rear wheels and occasionally all of them. The TL, particularly the Type-S model, sets itself apart by being a front driver that can keep up with (although still not surpass) such rear-drive thoroughbreds as the Infiniti G35. Yet despite this sporty nature, the TL still provides a wonderfully smooth ride and luxury appointments that will make comfort-minded customers happy. After substantial changes last year, including the return of the Type-S model, the TL carries over unchanged for 2008. That's certainly OK, as Acura's best-selling car has always stood out from the pack since being redesigned for 2004. The TL's wedge-like shape is still attractive as ever, and its spacious interior remains a model of craftsmanship and ergonomics. The base engine operates with utter serenity but still manages to have an engaging character, while the suspension is well-controlled without being a rough rider. Its surround-sound stereo is so good, it's almost enough to justify buying the car alone. If the TL has a particular forte, it's value. A package that bundles a voice-activated navigation system (with real-time traffic information) and a rearview camera is the lone option on the base car (standard on the Type-S), while features like Bluetooth, leather seating, power front seats, sunroof and that surround-sound system are included on all TLs. Those features are usually options on rivals that typically start at a higher base price. For a front-wheel-drive, entry-level luxury sedan with sporting tendencies, the 2008 Acura TL is the best choice around. Its mix of driving fun, comfort, quality and value can't be beat. But if maximum handling and performance are priorities, the BMW 328i, Infiniti G35 and Lexus IS 350 are better choices. In the end, it could very well hinge on how you feel about oddballs.

Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options
The 2008 Acura TL is a midsize entry-level luxury sport sedan available in two incredibly well-equipped trim levels. The base TL comes standard with 17-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlights, foglights, sunroof, leather upholstery, eight-way driver and four-way passenger power/heated seats, driver memory functions, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth and an eight-speaker surround-sound system with in-dash six-CD/DVD audio changer, auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio. The lone factory option is a navigation system that comes with a voice command interface, real-time traffic updates and a rearview camera. The TL Type-S is the more performance-oriented trim level, adding a more powerful engine, a sport-tuned suspension and more powerful brakes. The exterior is also treated to more aggressively styled fascias and side skirts, along with a deck lid spoiler, quad exhausts and special 17-inch wheels. The navigation system and its accompanying features are standard on the Type-S, which also gets sport seats, special interior trim and different lighting. High-performance tires are the Type-S model's lone option.

Powertrains and Performance
All TL are front-wheel drive. The base TL is powered by 3.2-liter V6 that produces 258 horsepower and 233 pound-feet of torque. Unlike in the past, a five-speed automatic is the lone transmission available. Despite this being the "base" engine, it's still capable of bringing the TL from zero to 60 mph in around 6 seconds. For an even quicker experience, the Type-S is motivated by a 3.5-liter V6 good for 286 hp and 256 lb-ft of torque. Buyers have a choice of either a slick-shifting six-speed manual with a limited-slip differential, or a five-speed automatic that features paddle shifters. Expect either combination to deliver a 0-60-mph time in the mid to high 5-second range. Fuel economy for the base 2008 TL is 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. The manual-equipped Type-S actually returns better mileage at 18 city and 27 highway, while the five-speed automatic gets 17/26.

Safety
The 2008 Acura TL comes standard with stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags and full-length curtain airbags. A rearview camera comes along with the available navigation system. In crash tests, the TL gets five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for both frontal impact protection and rear side impact protection. Front side impact testing resulted in four out of five stars. In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's side and frontal-offset crash tests, the TL received top scores of "Good."

Interior Design and Special Features
For those who define "luxury" as prominent swaths of wood trim and chrome accents, the TL is likely to disappoint. Subtle wood trim can be found on the base model's center console, but otherwise, this Acura goes for more of a sporting motif with dominant alloy trim, and in the Type-S, faux carbon fiber. Both TL models are beautifully crafted, and that's where this luxury sedan really shines, with near bulletproof build quality and top-notch materials. The Type-S differentiates itself with more aggressively bolstered seats, red instrument lighting (versus cobalt blue) and two-tone leather. Crammed full of electronics, the TL is thankfully pretty easy to operate -- even for those who wouldn't know the difference between an iPod and an iPhone. As Acura and Honda slowly migrate to an iDrive-like electronics interface, the TL features the good-old touchscreen setup (bolstered by voice commands) for navigation-equipped models that's easy to figure out and operate. Enjoy it while you can.

Driving Impressions
It's a well-known fact that front-wheel-drive cars tend to only take so much power before torque steer takes over and the car darts off in whichever direction it chooses. Despite healthy doses of 258 hp and 286 hp, respectively, both the base TL and Type-S manage to feel no worse for wear. Its steering is incalculably precise, and the car's cornering is tack-sharp. The Type-S in particular is the best that front-drive gets. In fact, only when driven aggressively back to back with rear-wheel-drive competitors like the Infiniti G35 or Lexus IS does the TL start to suffer from its drivetrain. Yet for a majority of buyers, the TL provides a tremendously sporty driving experience that nevertheless is the smoothest operator in its segment. Even the edgier Type-S is well within the acceptable range of ride comfort. Whether on a straight slog from K.C. to Denver or on a high-speed tour of the Smoky Mountains, the 2008 TL delivers.

What's New
After big changes last year, including the return of the Type-S model, the 2008 Acura TL receives no significant changes.

Pro
Roomy and well-crafted interior, impressive handling for a relatively large front-drive sedan, sweet V6 engines matched to excellent transmissions, fantastic surround-sound system, lots of standard high-tech features, top crash test scores.

The Acura RL is sporty and fun to drive, combining a free-revving, 290-horsepower V6 engine with all-wheel drive, and a nicely balanced suspension for great grip, responsive handling and superior stability. Yet it rides smoothly. The throttle and brakes are smooth and easy to modulate, making the RL a comfortable car in stop-and-go traffic. Acura's innovative all-wheel-drive system makes the RL easy to drive and helps keep its driver out of trouble. Called Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive, the system overdrives the outside rear wheel when motoring around corners, improving the handling balance and enhancing stability. Indeed, the RL is very stable in corners. We found it smoothes over minor driver errors, making us look and feel skillful. With this setup, the RL handles adverse weather exceptionally well, making it an excellent choice in Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Boston, or anywhere else that gets rain and snow. And while the 24-valve VTEC V6 provides plenty of punch, it's relatively efficient, netting an EPA-estimated 26 mpg Highway. The RL offers the latest in navigation, communications, and collision-avoidance technology. Acura's navigation system is the best in the business. But the RL also offers AcuraLink traffic information in real time for 44 major cities: Clogged freeways are highlighted in red, flying freeways in green. This system works impressively well. We've put it to good use in avoiding traffic jams in Los Angeles. The Acura RL can help drivers avoid pile-ups. The optional Collision Mitigation Braking System works with the Adaptive Cruise Control. Using radar, the system will alert the driver, pretension the seatbelts, and slam on the brakes when it senses an imminent impact. We tested this system in a controlled exercise and were very impressed with its ability to warn the driver and help avoid an accident or, in the worst case, reduce the severity of the impact.
For 2007, some of the features that used to be standard have been made optional to reduce the base price. Acura's satellite navigation system and Active Front Lighting, which aims the headlights into turns, are no longer standard.

Model Lineup
The 2007 Acura RL is available with three levels of equipment (one more than last year), and with no additional options. The base RL ($45,780) comes loaded with nearly every luxury and convenience feature imaginable, including leather upholstery. With the Technology Package, the RL ($49,400) comes with Satellite Navigation, AcuraLink with Real Time Traffic reporting, a rearview camera, Zagat reviews, Active Front Lighting, and wood interior trim. The RL with Technology Package plus CMBS and PAX ($53,200) adds Acura's Collision Mitigation Braking System and Michelin PAX run-flat tires. Accessories include a wood steering wheel and shift knob, all-weather floor mats, a trunk net and cargo organizer, and an engine-block heater for cold climates. Safety features include Super Handling All Wheel Drive, Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control, and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and Brake Assist. Passive safety features include driver's and front-passenger's dual-stage, dual-threshold airbags, side curtain airbags designed to provide head protection for passengers in all outboard seating positions, and side-impact airbags designed to provide torso protection for driver and front passenger; with an occupant position detection system for the front passenger. A tire pressure monitoring system is also standard. The optional rearview camera can help alert the driver to small children behind the vehicle when backing up.

Walkaround
Sleek and sporty, the Acura RL is an attractive car, though not particularly interesting. Parked next to a Toyota Camry, the RL looks anonymous. Its muscular exterior styling is designed to suggest abundant power. In front, a dramatically sloping hood leads down to an aggressive front fascia with angular headlight treatments, Acura's signature five-sided grille, and distinctive lower air intake openings. The front end is smooth with nicely integrated bumpers and headlamps. The rear is short to reduce aerodynamic drag and improve maneuverability. The rear three-quarter view is suggestive of a BMW 7 Series: Viewed from the side, the rear deck seems separated from the fenders. High-intensity discharge headlights employ the Active Front Lighting System, which swivels the headlight beams up to 20 degrees in either direction when the steering wheel is turned, providing better visibility when cornering.

Interior Features
The cabin is luxurious and functional. The seats are comfortable for cruising yet supportive for hard driving. The wide armrests have a nice soft feel. The Acura RL is a roomy car, though the back seats don't offer as much room as some of the other cars in this class do. The cabin is finished in handsome leather with attractive stitching. Real wood is used sparingly and tastefully around the cabin on all but the base model, and it's not too shiny. Acura says it used the finest materials and exacting attention to detail in the interior design. It shows. The Technology Package includes satellite navigation, which features voice recognition and a large, eight-inch display screen. Positioned at the top of the center stack, the display looks like it might be a touch screen, but it isn't. Instead, an interface dial functions something like a computer mouse to control all accessory functions. Positioned on the center stack, in front of the shifter, the dial is rotated like a knob and rocked like a joystick to select among function menus displayed on the screen. Pushing down on the knob selects the highlighted function. Functions controlled by the interface dial include the climate control system, audio, navigation, and the AcuraLink satellite communications system. This interface dial is similar in concept to that of BMW's controversial iDrive, but Acura added redundant buttons on the instrument panel and steering wheel for most of the commonly used functions and it's easier to use than BMW's system. Acura's navigation systems are perennially among the best available and the RL's system works very well. In the past, we've praised them for their ease of operation, clear instructions, speedy route calculations, and absence of errors. As with all of these systems, there is a learning curve, however. You'll need to study the owner's manual and exercise patience before you can fully master the system and use it to its maximum advantage. Even then, trying to program navigation or other functions while driving is very dangerous; you should pull over, program your destination, get organized, then set out. AcuraLink satellite communications delivers in-car traffic information in real time for 44 major cities, helping drivers avoid congested roads. It works best in the cities that have the infrastructure to support it, Los Angeles among them. Traffic flow is shown by color-coding the highways in three levels: light traffic is shown in green, normal traffic in yellow, slow traffic in red. The driver can view the map and choose the routes with the lightest traffic. The system uses live data from the highway departments using technology developed by XM Satellite Radio. It's easy to use, and commuters in cities with this technology will find it's well worth the cost of the package. Bluetooth wireless technology allows hands-free dialing and communication and integrates compatible cell phones. As with other features, the Bluetooth cellphone setup can respond to voice commands. The Keyless Access System automatically unlocks the doors and allows the driver to start the car without having to dig the keyless remote out of pocket or purse. The back seats are comfortable, though they don't offer quite as much space as some of the other cars in this class. The rear doors open wide, making it easier to get into and out of the back seats. A retractable rear sunshade filters the sun, nice for back-seat riders on bright days. Retractable rear headrests improve rearward visibility when people aren't back there. The trunk is nicely finished and offers 13 cubic feet of space. The keyless access system prevents locking the key fob in the trunk.

Driving Impressions
The Acura RL is smooth, responsive and enjoyable in everyday driving. On winding roads, it delivers agile handling and a taut, poised feel. It grips the corners, has excellent transient response and stops in a short distance. The ride is a nice balance, firm enough to feel expansion joints but not so firm as to be harsh. The RL cruises easily and comfortably. The cabin is quiet, benefiting from a noise cancellation system that reduces road noise and tire noise but especially boom from the engine exhaust. Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive improves the handling of the RL considerably. SH-AWD distributes power not only between the front and rear wheels but also between the left and right rear wheels. The system controls this distribution of power precisely to enhance handling. Essentially, the system overdrives the outside rear wheel in corners to reduce the understeer that is inherent with all-wheel-drive layouts. As a result, the RL doesn't plow in corners. It simply motors around them. We found this all-wheel-drive setup particularly helpful in tight corners where it keeps the nose of the car tucked in. The car seemed to respond well to throttle in the corners. The effects of overdriving one of the rear wheels is most noticeable at competition speeds, but the system improves handling feel even at a moderate pace. The RL just feels precise. It goes exactly where you want to go. The SH-AWD improves handling stability on dry or wet roads and the all-wheel drive improves traction and stability on snow and ice. The system is biased to the front. When cruising along, 70 percent of the engine's power goes to the front wheels, and 30 percent goes to the rear wheels. Stand on it, however, and up to 70 percent of the power goes to the rear wheels. That means little or no wheel spin when accelerating. The driver can sense the front-wheel-drive bias of the RL. The rear-wheel-drive BMW 5 Series sedan feels livelier than the RL, making it more fun to drive. With its firmer suspension, the BMW feels more taut than the RL. However, the RL is easier to push to the limit in unfamiliar corners. So the RL would be an excellent choice if you had to choose a car to try to outrun bad guys over an unfamiliar mountain road, and that would be particularly true if the conditions were slippery or unpredictable. The styling isn't flashy enough for James Bond, however. The 3.5-liter V6 engine generates plenty of acceleration performance and the RL responds quickly to jabs at the throttle. The V6 delivers impressive power, rated at 290 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 256 pound-feet of torque at 5000 rpm. Luxury cars with V8 engines offer more power and more low-end response, but the RL delivers solid performance. The Acura RL can accelerate from 0-60 mph in less than 7 seconds, so it can compete with a BMW 530i. Acura's 24-valve, single overhead-cam, aluminum VTEC V6 combines strong power with low emissions and reasonable fuel economy: The RL meets the government's stringent standards as a LEV2-ULEV Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle and earns an EPA-estimated City/Highway 18/26 mpg. The five-speed automatic transmission is excellent and aids the RL driving experience considerably. Shifting is crisp and quick but super-smooth, making the RL more responsive and more enjoyable. It seems to shift up early, but never seems to hunt for gears. The driver can shift manually using the shift lever (located on the center console) or with paddle shifters located on the steering wheel. Using this Sequential SportShift feature is fun, but we usually prefer to put the transmission in Drive and let it do the job it does so well, allowing us to concentrate on braking, steering and accelerating. We found the brakes to be excellent, with a good, firm pedal. The brake system employs big, ventilated brake rotors with four-piston aluminum calipers in front, with ventilated discs in the rear. Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) automatically adjusts the front/rear brake pressure to suit conditions, while an anti-lock braking system (ABS) helps the driver maintain steering control in hard braking situations. Brake Assist helps drivers apply full braking pressure in an accident-avoidance situation. The Collision Mitigation Braking System and Adaptive Cruise Control systems work together and are truly impressive. Based on our participation in a controlled exercise, we think they could help you avoid an accident in stop-and-go commuter traffic. Picture yourself commuting to work in heavy traffic: You glance away for just a moment, perhaps to change radio stations, to select a CD, to check your navigation screen, to dial a number, to read directions, to check your mirrors, or to glance at your passenger during a conversation, anything that takes your eyes off the cars in front of you. Then, for no apparent reason, everyone ahead slams on the brakes. The system senses this is happening and, in stages, warns the driver with audible tones and flashing indicators, then jerks the seat belt, then backs off the throttle, then hits the brakes. It won't completely stop the car, but it will apply the brakes aggressively (hard enough to induce the ABS). The driver needs to step in and hit the brakes. But this is exactly what your instincts will tell you to do. We found the system works incredibly well, meshing perfectly with the driver's instincts, helping avoid an accident. Therefore, we highly recommend going all the way and ordering your RL with the Technology Package plus CMBS and PAX, the top of the line, in other words. In more typical usage, the adaptive cruise control maintains pre-set following distances behind other cars by adjusting your speed with the throttle and the brakes. Also included in the package is a set of Michelin's superb PAX run-flat tires, which feature an inner support ring to allow them to be driven on even if you blow a big hole in the side and lose all the air. Yet they don't suffer from the stiff ride quality of traditional run-flat tires that use stiff sidewalls to accomplish the same goal.

Summary
The Acura RL embraces the agile handling and quick acceleration performance of a sports sedan. It's easy to drive and helps keep its driver out of harm's way with the latest in all-wheel drive and active safety technology. Yet it rides nicely, coddles its occupants and exudes a sporty, luxurious ambience. Brakes and throttle are super smooth for comfortable driving in stop-and-go traffic. The Collision Mitigation Braking System helps drivers avoid pileups, while the real-time traffic system helps them avoid traffic jams. We recommend springing for the top-of-the-line, fully loaded model.

A new term seems to have settled for vehicles like this: CUV. Crossover Utility Vehicle, not simply "crossover vehicle," which has been used for a while. Meaning, basically, an SUV with unibody construction, like a car: the chassis, floorpan and body are all one piece, which adds rigidity to the structure, saves weight and rides softer, but isn't as rugged as a body-on-frame vehicle, like a pickup truck or an SUV built on a pickup truck platform. Fine. But who can tell? Acura calls the all-new 2008 RDX a CUV. Here's the irony: it earns the name because it's sportier than a Sport Utility Vehicle. Sporty driving is what this CUV-formerly-known-as-SUV is all about. The RDX most resembles the BMW X3, which BMW separates from the SUV crowd by calling an SAV: Sport Activity Vehicle. Got it? What makes the RDX different is that it uses a turbocharged four-cylinder engine to make its hearty 240 horsepower, rather than Honda's smooth V6. Because the RDX is built on the small Honda CR-V platform, there wasn't room under its hood for the V6. This is the first turbocharged engine that Acura has produced. It's 2.3 liters, and comes out of the Acura TSX, with many changes making a completely different powerband. Proving its commitment to sport, the RDX uses a sequential five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, a firm independent suspension made for cornering, and Acura's patented SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) system, which delivers a higher proportion of power to the outside rear wheel under hard cornering, thus keeping the car on line. But also proving a commitment to luxury, the RDX offers only leather, no cloth interior, and other standard luxury touches, such as a power moonroof and dual-zone climate control. That narrows the intended buyer down, to someone who doesn't want to compromise the cornering for a comfortable ride (the firm suspension), but isn't willing to sit on cloth seats. Also someone who doesn't care about dramatic or distinctive styling, because the RDX closely resembles the Honda CR-V. Women, who normally go for the Acura approach toward silky style with performance, will want to think twice about the niftiness of the RDX.

Model Lineup
Acura RDX ($32,995) comes with leather upholstery, heated front seats, power moonroof, 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, xenon HID headlights with foglamps, the 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters on the steering wheel, the patented SH-AWD (SH for Super Handling) system, four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution. The RDX ($36,495) features the Technology Package: a 10-speaker, 410-watt sound system designed by legendary recording engineer Elliot Scheiner, navigation system with voice command, rearview camera, hands-free phone interface, XM satellite radio, and the AcuraLink Satellite Communication System with Real Time Traffic. Safety features include dual-stage frontal airbags, side airbags in front, side curtain airbags with rollover sensor, electronic stability control (VSA), active front head restraints, side-impact door beams, and a tire pressure monitor. The RDX received a 2008 "Top Safety Pick" from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which crash-tests cars more thoroughly than the government (NHTSA).

Walkaround
The Acura RDX is built on the Honda CR-V platform, as the TSX is built on the Civic platform. The RDX about one inch longer in wheelbase than the CR-V, and two inches longer overall. The appearances of the two cars are similar enough that you'd never look at them and say that one should cost $10,000 more than the other; in fact, some might think the Honda is better looking. The sculpting on the sides of the RDX appears gratuitous, not dynamic, and less traditional than that on the CR-V, which seems to have some reason, at least. The nose of the RDX is its most distinctive feature. The grille is a wide shallow vee, the Acura theme, but under that is a black air intake with opposing angles, riding on top of the bumper. It's the highest undisguised air intake we can think of. And under the bumper is another air opening. The intercooled turbo under the hood needs a lot of air. Behind the C pillar there's a small window that you can't really discern because the C pillar is black and the window is tinted so darkly. From the inside, it affords good visibility, no blind spots when looking over your shoulder. The rear end of the RDX resembles a Subaru Tribeca, an observation which, based on most opinions of the Tribeca's Edsel-like tail, is something shy of a compliment. Between the taillights, the sheetmetal on the liftgate is molded into the shape of the vector, again suggesting the Acura symbol or theme. This sculpting surrounds the large license plate indent, so the suggestion is mostly lost. You'd have to look a long time, like we did, to see it. The front doors open without the solid notchy click that we're used to hearing, when car doors open. It felt like the door wasn't closed all the way. But it was no mistake; we drove two RDXs, one for five days in California and another for 14 days in the Northwest, and they both were like this.

Interior Features
The RDX dashboard fairly cascades with colors, textures and levels. The top is wide and flat, black vinyl; there's a three-inch tall strip of dark titanium plastic in the center, broken by the display screen; and at the bottom it turns to smooth vinyl in light gray. The top and plastic strip are grained with minutely raised crossed diagonal lines, a sort of diamondy golfball effect. So there are three textures and three colors. On the top center of the dashboard, tucked under the windshield, is a narrow digital display that indicates time of day, radio station, the interior temperature setting on each side of the car, and where the vents are pointed. It's hard to see in sunlight. The navigation system is controlled by a big ugly knob in the center of the center stack. It pushes in, up, down, left and right. Acura has an excellent reputation for its nav systems. Our test model was the RDX. Its rearview monitor, in the display screen, was as bad as any we've seen. Its focus is fuzzy, it's dim at night (which might be from dim backup lights), and it's often too dark to be useful, at dusk or on overcast days. The perforated leather seats (standard) are comfortable, and the driver can perch herself or himself up high, to see over the short nose of the car. The front seats are eight-way power and heated, with high and low heat settings. There's lumbar support, although we still got a crick in our back after a four-hour drive with a lot of stressful freeway stop-and-go. The gauges are nicely lit at night, in blue and white. The tach is at left, redline 6800, with an insert that shows turbocharger boost, from 0 to + (plus), with no numbers to indicate units, which would be pounds per square inch, maximum 13.5, but that wouldn't mean much to most people. A big speedometer is in the center with an information display inside it, and on the right is a gauge of similar size but which only contains an indicator of what gear the transmission is in, plus fuel level. It would be nice if a temperature gauge was in that space, because, as it is, you can only find out if the car is overheating by suspecting it, and then checking on the information display inside the speedo, and scrolling through the other things. The info display can also show which wheels are getting the power with the SH-AWD, or Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. This system sends more power to the outside rear wheel when the car cornering aggressively, which keeps it on line; but that's exactly the time you'd not want to look down and check which wheels are getting the power. So the display is just showing off, not an unusual thing with instruments in cars nowadays. There's also an instantaneous fuel mileage display, a bar from 0 to 50, again not practically readable. The EPA-rated mileage is 19/23 mpg City/Highway, but we got 17.6 miles per gallon (on premium fuel) at an average of 34 mph running stop-and-go on the freeway and 80 mph when we broke out. The fuel mileage didn't change much after that, mostly around-town driving. Numbers lower than the EPA rating is also not an unusual thing in cars, nowadays, which is why they'll be changing the rating system next year. The leather-wrapped steering wheel feels nice in your hands, if busy, with controls for a half-dozen or more things, including paddles for upshifting and downshifting the sequential transmission. It's kind of ugly, though. It has three spokes, at 3, 9 and 6 o'clock, and they're trimmed in aluminum-look plastic, with a design that makes the wheel look like a scale model of a space station. There are terrific grab handles for closing the front and rear doors, something we wish all cars were smart enough to have, especially for the driver. There are nice little storage compartments, and a humongously deep center console compartment, with trays at the bottom that lift out to reveal a secret spot that's another couple inches deep. It's 16.9 inches from front to back, 12.2 inches deep and 5.5 inches wide, big enough for a laptop or briefcase, and it's lockable. The parking brake pedal is too low. It catches your toe when you move your foot to the brake pedal from its resting position on the floorboard when braking with the left foot; you have to slide your foot right, lift it, slide it farther right, then lower it on the brake pedal, sort of a fast S-shaped movement. Not a good idea, when you need to get stopped quickly. There seems to be decent knee room in the rear seat; we had a leggy female passenger back there, and she said she had enough room, although the specs of 37.7 inches are pretty tight. The rear passengers have cupholders in the folding armrest, door pockets and map pockets in the front seatbacks. The 60/40 rear seatbacks fold flat, after the cushions flip against the front seatbacks. Cargo space behind the rear seat is in short supply, with just 27.7 cubic feet, but then this isn't a big SUV. With the rear seats lowered, there's 60.6 cubic feet.

Driving Impressions
The most fun you can have with an Acura RDX is driving it through corners like a sports car. It does a really great job of this. The paddle-shifting transmission shifts smoothly and obeys your input, except when you downshift at an engine speed it thinks is too high, or upshift at one it thinks is too low. But at least it tells you that it's rejected your input by flashing; other systems indicate the car is in the gear you've chosen, even if they don't shift to it. This is the first turbocharged car Acura has ever made. The 2.3-liter engine is about as high-tech as they come; Honda has been the technology leader with small engines for a long time. The turbocharger changes the power characteristics quite a lot from the more peaky Acura TSX, although it doesn't smooth out the engine. There's 260 pound-feet of torque, and no turbo lag, but when the transmission is in Drive, it kicks up and down when you're driving casually uphill. To stop it, you have to use the Sport, or manual, mode. During that stop-and-go freeway traffic, we found it difficult to accelerate smoothly. Acura invented drive-by-wire throttle, and, because so many other cars with this electronic system also have hair-trigger throttles, we wonder if the system still has a ways to go. A bigger flaw than a quick throttle or unsettled transmission is the ride. Our leggy passenger, now sitting in front, said she could feel every bump, especially on the freeway. We could feel them too. It was like a jolt, over the freeway ridges. Of course, this firmness in the suspension enables the RDX to perform like a sports car around the corners. Acura boasts that it will out-corner a BMW X3, which was developed on the Nurburgring circuit in Germany. So, good for the RDX. But is it worth the trade-off, if the suspension can't also offer a comfortable ride on the freeway? Maybe; you decide. We left our RDX in California and got in another RDX in the Northwest, just in time for snow and ice. We tested the ABS by slamming on the brakes going down a steep hill with hard-packed snow at 20 miles per hour. The response was beautiful; it took a long time to get stopped, maybe 100 feet, but we were able to steer anywhere we wanted to, without sliding, while our foot was mashed to the pedal (as we watched 10 inches of snow slide off the roof and down onto the hood). We should point out that the P235/55R18 Michelin Pilot tires are considered "high-performance all-season," meaning they weren't made for this sort of thing. Then we went to a slushy parking lot, and tried to cut donuts at hard throttle, to test the stability control, called VSA. The RDX just turned its tight circles, 39.1 feet, without sliding. Pretty amazing. A couple days later the slush froze into sheer, lumpy ice. We returned to the bottom of our steep hill. The city had put up barriers because the road was considered dangerous. We drove around the barrier and charged uphill, considering it our duty to New Car Test Drive readers. It was fascinating to feel the all-wheel drive work, and watch the readout on the instrument panel indicate with bars which of the four tires was getting the torque, based on how slippery it was under each tire at any moment. The RDX struggled, and once came to a complete halt, not spinning, just shutting down the throttle because it couldn't find grip. The RDX slid downhill backwards on the ice, with the brake pedal mashed; the ABS did not appear to be working, maybe because it had started sliding from a dead stop, so the sensors didn't know it was sliding. The RDX found a dry patch under one wheel, and when that wheel bit and held onto the patch, the vehicle turned perpendicular in the road. Both front wheels were on a dry spot now. We gave it a lot of gas, turned tightly back uphill, and looked for spots that weren't so icy. The all-wheel-drive system, which can send 70 percent of its torque to the rear wheels, struggled for grip, its computer sensors playing the throttle and brakes on and off at four separate wheels at lightning speed, and we made it to the top! Great stuff, especially with those high-performance wide profile tires. In winter conditions like these, you can't beat a high-tech vehicle, with all-wheel-drive, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, six air bags and xenon headlamps. Not to mention heated seats, heated mirrors, and other comfort featres.

Summary
The 2008 Acura RDX is an all-new model, and a departure for Acura because some of the silky Acura DNA seems to have gone missing, replaced by wannabe boy-racer adrenaline. The 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine is turbocharged to produce 240 horsepower, and isn't totally tame. The firm suspension is aimed at cornering, and doesn't make many compromises. The styling lacks definition. The RDX has its moments, including some desirable touches inside the cabin and always quality engineering, but it's difficult to see the vehicle's direction. However, Acura believes that SUVs (excuse us, CUVs) like this are the future, so maybe they're just getting a head start.

The Acura MDX is all-new for 2008. It's larger then the previous model and has been improved in every area. That's saying something given that the first-generation MDX (2001-2006) had a unique combination of style, design, utility, and a rock-solid powertrain with both good power and good fuel economy that made it very popular among mid-size luxury SUVs. It sold in record numbers right to the end and was the second-best-selling Acura model (after the TL sports sedan). The all-new 2008 Acura MDX is built on a proper truck platform, and is not an adaptation of the Accord passenger car platform. It doesn't look larger than last year's MDX, but it is in fact several inches longer and wider. That makes it among the largest vehicles of its type. It offers more space for folks and flotsam inside, totaling almost 143 cubic feet. From its wild new grille to its elaborately stylish cat's-eye headlamps to its huge new taillamps, it's got a more muscular look compared to the original, especially in the areas around the tires. Sporty styling cues include the big, fat dual exhaust tips that look like they belong on a V8, and the hefty five-spoke alloy wheels. Even the Acura badge in the grille has been changed, and is now twice as big as it once was. The seats are laid out in three rows of two, offering seating for up to seven people. The 10-way driver and 8-way front passenger power seats allow huge adjustment latitude for long-distance comfort. The new MDX is physically stronger than the previous model, with a more rigid structure that's much more resistant to twisting and bending, beneficial for ride and handling as well as tightness as the vehicle ages. Powertrain improvements include a larger, more powerful V6 engine, combined with a five-speed manual-shift automatic transmission. The completely updated exterior appearance, which is sportier still than the original, will make it easy to spot the new one. Inside, there is a completely new approach to SUV interior design, a more organic, unified presentation of instruments and controls, a more involving scheme for the driver that should be appreciated by moms and dads alike. We found the MDX quiet and quick, with nicely weighted steering. The active damper system that comes on the Sport model makes driving the MDX more fun, with a flatter ride and less body roll in the corners. The driver can select between sport and comfort modes for sharper handling or a softer ride. The navigation system, satellite radio, iPod input jack and Bluetooth phone synching make it easy and fun to go down the road. Acura says the new MDX competes with the BMW X5, the Volvo XC90, the Lexus RX 330, the Mercedes-Benz ML350, as well as the Cadillac Escalade and GMC Yukon Denali. Acura hopes the new MDX will appeal to women who want a sports car but need an SUV.

Model Lineup
The 2008 Acura MDX ($39,995) offers three major options packages, two of which are positioned as models. With the Technology package ($43,495), the MDX gets Acura's wonderful voice-activated navigation system, this time out with Zagat reviews and ratings embedded, a rearview camera, AcuraLink satellite communications with real-time traffic data, a 410-watt ELS surround sound system with 6CD changer and 10 speakers, wireless telephone equipment, and three-zone automatic air conditioning. The Sport package ($45,595) includes the Techology package and adds Delphi active-damping magnetic rheological shock absorbers, perforated leather interior trim, alloy wheels, and self-leveling HID headlamps. The Entertainment package ($2,200), available with either the Technology or Sport packages, adds a DVD rear entertainment system, heated second-row seats, a power tailgate, and a 110-volt power point in the front console. Safety equipment on the new MDX is as complete a package as there is in the industry. The front bucket seats each have two-stage air bags and active head restraints, two-stage driver and front passenger knee bolsters, front seat side air bags and three-row side-curtain air bags including rollover triggering. That's in addition to the mandated front airbags. Active safety features, designed to help the driver avoid accidents in the first place, include all-wheel-drive, electronic stability control, and anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist for panic stops.

Walkaround
The 2008 Acura MDX exterior and interior were designed entirely in America, at Honda's facilities in Los Angeles and Ohio, with input from design centers in St. Moritz, Switzerland, and Milan, Italy. It's supposed to look like a Wally 118 motor yacht, but it still looks like an SUV to us. The formerly tasty grille has been turned into a metal-filled hole that looks like a battering ram, and the entire side has been rearranged with a new side window arrangement that suggests more sportiness than the original, with converging sheetmetal lines built into the design. Both headlamps and taillamps are heavily sculpted, and there is not one ounce of plastic cladding or side trim, in the same design vein as the original. Very clean, but susceptible to parking lot slams and door dings. The wheel openings, especially the fronts, are very pronounced, for a more sporty stance. Overall, we'd give it an 8.7 for exterior design, remembering that it's essentially a big cargo box on wheels. This second-generation MDX is more than two inches longer in length and wheelbase than the previous model, with a wider track and a lower stance. The MDX is now larger than its competitors. Acura's first power tailgate system is available on the MDX with the entertainment package. It can be operated either from the remote key fob, from a button on the driver's door panel, or from a button located inside the tailgate. The location of the tailgate's motor is the D pillar, not the roof, which yields more headroom for the third-row occupants. The tailgate can also be operated manually.

Interior Features
The Acura MDX has a completely new interior decor for 2008. It's designed with driver-centric instrumentation and displays. Acura calls this area "mission headquarters." The beautiful new three-spoke brushed-aluminum steering wheel alone has nine control systems mounted on it for cruise control, telephone, entertainment systems, and information displays. The new dashboard has a high-mounted large navigation screen in the heavily sculpted panel, with all other switches subservient to the big nav center, and carefully orchestrated into about one square foot of dashboard real estate. The two-line readout display for the climate control and entertainment systems uses large segmented figures and is very easy to read and interpret. The compact main instrument pod is housed in one deeply tunneled nacelle, with four even deeper nacelles for the main instruments. If you look at them long enough, they appear to be staring back at you, with bright white-on-black markings and red needles tracking your progress. The seating is arranged as two front, two center, and two rear, with a third seat available in the second row. There is scant rear legroom in the third row for adults; the third row is strictly for kids. In spatial terms, the interior has 142.2 cubic feet of passenger space. There's 15 cubic feet of cargo behind the third seat, 43 cubic feet with the third row seats folded into the floor, and 83.5 cubic feet with all seats down. Translation: The MDX is competitive in the class.

Driving Impressions
The new Acura MDX offers a quiet ride and brisk acceleration performance. With the five-speed automatic, the MDX is rated to tow up to 5000 pounds. The 2008 Acura MDX benefits from a completely new platform, suspension, and unit-construction body with a built-in frame and subframes front and rear. The MDX is really stout, some 15 percent stronger in torsional bending and seven percent stronger in lateral bending. This time out, it has 56 percent of its body in high-strength steel as opposed to the original MDX's 13-percent HSLA steel content. It's longer and wider, with a 2.5-inch longer wheelbase and similar gain in overall length. All that adds up to a quieter ride quality, with zero squeaks, creaks, groans or rattles. The 300-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine is all-new for this application. Compared to the old 3.5-liter, it has been treated to a hot-rod upgrade, with a bigger bore, bigger stroke, higher compression (11:1, necessitating the use of premium unleaded fuel), and a higher redline (maximum rpm). It makes 47 more horsepower and 25 additional pound-feet of torque compared to the old engine. Acura says it's the most powerful V6 engine in any SUV sold in the U.S. market. It's quick, fast, and quiet, like every Acura engine before it, only more so. One very significant development has come underneath the lithe lines of the MDX, and that's the active damper system in the Sport package option. These are the fastest-acting shock absorbers in the world, used by Cadillac, Ferrari, Corvette, and Audi, and they make driving an SUV much more sporty, with a flatter ride and less body roll in the corners. A console-mounted switch lets the driver select between sport and comfort modes with the shocks. With the additional power and torque available from the new engine, and the amazing capabilities of the Acura Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) system already on board, we wouldn't order an MDX without this new technology. We drove the MDX in the hill country of western Pennsylvania and eastern West Virginia, and found it to be a delightful traveling partner. The torque-sensing variable power rack-and-pinion steering provided the right amount of help in every situation from parking to very high speed Interstate travel, with nice weight at the wheel and good center behavior. The wheel was connected to big 255/55R18 mud-and-snow tires, very nice to have along, not too noisy, with plenty of cornering grip. Braking performance in those hills was exemplary.

Summary
The Acura MDX is all-new for 2008. It's larger now, and sized right for the job. It's aggressively sporty-looking, it's powerful and its suspension was developed on the Nurburgring, so the sportiness is really there. The interior design is especially zoomy, but not at the expense of function and ease of use. They've nailed it, again.