2007 Acura RDX Photos, engines & full specs

Acura introduced its smallest crossover model at the 2006 New York International Auto Show for the 2007 model-year, thus entering competition against other premium compact vehicles in that segment.

The Japanese automaker described its new model as a 24/7 CUV for urban activities and beyond. But there was some truth behind that marketing line since the new model in Acura's lineup was backed up by Honda's first turbocharged and intercooled gasoline engine.

Thanks to a new design language, the 2007 RDX featured a slim V-shaped upper grille adorned with four dents, making it look like a shark mouth. This air intake was flanked by angular-looking headlights with a narrower inner side toward's the car's center. On the lower side of the bumper, the automaker added not one but two additional air intakes needed to cool the said intercooler and other mechanical parts fitted on the bottom of the engine bay. The RDX's profile showed a sporty look, with a generous window area and a raked-forward tailgate adorned by a roof spoiler at the top.

Inside, depending on the trim level, the RDX boasted a pair of bolstered seats at the front and a split-folding bench in the back fit for three adults on short jaunts. The automaker added the sat-nav system on the center stack, depending on the trim level, the HVAC controls, and the stereo. In front of the driver, the binocular-style instrument panel was arranged into three separate clusters where the speedometer took center stage, flanked on the left by the tachometer and water temperature, and on the right by the fuel-level gauge and the automatic transmission lights.

Thanks in part to its intelligent all-wheel drive system (named SH-AWD), the RDX could surprise bystanders with its about six-second acceleration time from zero to 60 mph (0-97 kph), although Acura was reluctant to provide an official figure for that test.