2012 Acura RDX Review – A Family SUV with a Sporty Edge

Are you looking for an SUV that is comfortable, yet comes with all the hi-tech bells and whistles you would expect in the 21st century?  If so, then the Acura RDX could be the vehicle for you.  This Japanese designed SUV is built for the North American market and hit both requirements head on.  I love this SUV and think that you will too – read on for a review of the 2012 Acura RDX and make your own mind up. The Acura RDX 2012 version comes with several improvements as part of a mid-generation overhaul.  If you demand an SUV that has sharp yet comfortable handling then the RDX should be top of your list of test drives this year.

Turbo Charged Engine with Sporty Handling

The Acura RDX is an SUV with heavy emphasis on the “S”.  When Acura first decided to launch a crossover vehicle that was sportier all the way back in 2006, the RDX almost immediately began winning prizes and praise from the automotive industry. It has a turbo charged engine, very sporty handling and SH-AWD all-wheel drive – meaning it quickly became one of the most notable contenders in the market when compared to rival motors from Mercedes Benz and BMW.

2012 Offers Improvements on Past Generations

For 2012, the Acura RDX SUV benefits from several improvements.  The most visible and controversial of all was the brand new grille on the face.  It made the car look a little bit more aggressive rather than the passive look and feel that was on the older models.  If you like this style of distinctive front then the RDX is for you – although some bloggers were not overly keen.  One of the more famous criticisms of the new grille was that is looked like a robot chicken.  Strange, but true – check out some photos of the car and make your own mind up.

Subtle Design Which is Sporty Yet Family Friendly

The 2012 Acura RDX has inherited the old exterior trim but does include a new rear fascia which is decorated with new rectangular exhaust tips. Basically the 2012 Acura RDX has a subtle body shape which is quite compact – yet it still maintains a design shape that is both sporty, yet family friendly. The Acura RDX for 2012 retains the turbo charged engine (designed by Honda) which is a 2.3-liter model that generates a horse power of 240HP.  The engine is constantly cooled with cold air at high pressure, whilst a five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters is standard.

Comes with the Acura Navigation System

Inside the vehicle you will benefit from the latest in technology including a fully integrated entertainment and GPS system. The Acura Navigation System offers reliable GPS directions, text to speed functionality, and is also compatible with Bluetooth.  This means the driver can make hands free calls without needing to touch any buttons on the dash or on their phone.  Please note that the Acura Navigation System will need new GPS maps installed once a year – you can save money on these using the link at the bottom of this article in the author bio. This Acura RDX review was written by Bob Simmons who manages the GPS Navigation DVD website.  Bob currently has some offers on GPS map updates for this car.  Click here for your own Acura Navigation Promo Code 2012 so you can save money.