2007 Acura RDX By Jim McCraw, New Car Test Drive .com

Acura is launching an all-new crossover utility vehicle late summer or early fall called the RDX. A sneak peek of the 2007 Acura RDX was revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Although Acura referred to the RDX displayed at the show as a prototype, it is the actual production version of a concept vehicle that was first shown in 2002.

Acura already has a sport utility, the midsize MDX. The RDX is designed to fit into the segment that's just below the MDX in size, pricing and features. The RDX will be joining a horde of new crossover utility vehicles, or CUVs, as they are now being called, that combine the ride and handling of a car with the utility of a traditional sport utility vehicle. While SUVs have traditionally been built on truck platforms, many of the latest small SUVs are built on car platforms.

Acura says the RDX will be similar in size to the BMW X3. We expect it to compete on features as well and wouldn't be surprised to see it priced aggressively against the BMW.

The RDX is built on an all-new global light truck platform, equipped with what Honda calls an Advanced Compatibility Engineering structure that helps to disperse collision forces over a larger area. Front, side and side curtain airbags are standard, in addition to rollover sensors.

The RDX will be powered by the first turbocharged four-cylinder engine in Acura's 20-year product history, a 2.3-liter engine making 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It uses a variable-flow turbocharger, exclusive to the RDX, for a good combination of performance and fuel economy.

The RDX will also feature a new five-speed automatic transmission, which has a sequential-shift feature with shifter paddles mounted on the steering wheel. The RDX features the same Super Handling All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system found on the Acura RL luxury sedan, along with vehicle stability control. Big 19-inch alloy wheels give the RDX an aggressive stance. Dual exhaust tips, high-intensity headlamps, and a rear spoiler add to the RDX's sporty appearance.

The RDX looks like a proper rendition of an Acura utility vehicle, with more body sculpting than the flat-sided MDX and a completely new design for the taillamps.

The RDX features a crisply done, functional interior absolutely jammed with feature content, like other senior Acura models. The center console is deep enough and wide enough to securely store a laptop computer. Acura's superb navigation system will be available, with voice recognition, the AcuraLink satellite communication system with real time traffic reports, a hands-free wireless telephone interface, and a premium DVD audio system.

The RDX offers seating for five. The second row seats split and fold flat into the floor, providing ample cargo space.

It will be assembled at Honda of America Manufacturing in Marysville, Ohio, and will go on sale in the summer of 2006. Pricing has not been determined, but we're expecting it to be in the $30,000 neighborhood.