2007 Acura RDX

Following victories in two comparison tests -- "Crossing Over" (July, 2006) and "Dune Devils" (August, 2007) -- in which the RDX spanked the likes of BMW X3, Land Rover LR2, Lincoln MKX, Mazda CX-7, and Toyota RAV4 V-6, Acura's first-ever compact crossover earned, in our estimation, an invite to join Motor Trend's long-term fleet. Of course, there's much more impetus to the RDX joining our fleet than just two trophies: It represents Acura's, as well as parent Honda Motor Company's, foray into turbocharged engines for a production vehicle. Big deal? When "motor" is in the company name and that company comes out with a new motor, you could say that.

Proof that good things come in small packages, the RDX's engine displaces just 2.3 liters; yet, thanks to a variable-flow turbocharger that spools up 13.5 psi of maximum boost, dispenses 240 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque (even more than that of the flagship RL) at 4500. Replete with a "Sequential SportShift" manual feature and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, the standard five-speed automatic routs power via Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system (SH-AWD), which can send torque not only fore and aft but also side to side. The result is a CUV that delivers a 0.82 g on the skidpad, a figure that handily outgrips the 0.79 g put up by the new WRX.

At the drag strip, the RDX ripped from 0 to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds and through the quarter mile in 15.5 at 90.1 mph, numbers slightly behind those of the "Dune Devil" winner, which ran 6.5 and 15.1 at 90.7, respectively. In 60-to-0 braking, the Acura, utilizing four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and EBD, came to a halt in 135 feet, one foot shorter than before.

Since we weren't paying, we opted for the top-of-the-line example, the RDX with Technology Package. Compared with the standard RDX, the Tech Pack swells the bottom line by $3500 but adds a Bluetooth wireless telephone interface; a 410-watt surround-sound system; a nav system with voice recognition, a rearview camera, and real-time traffic updates; and a GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone automatic climate-control system that automatically adjusts temperature, fan speed, and vent position based on the direction of travel and continuous updates of vehicle position. Considering the base RDX already comes well-equipped -- standard features include leather-trimmed interior, heated front seats, satellite radio, power moonroof, 18-inch alloy wheels, Xenon headlamps, six airbags, and stability control -- the Tech Pack is for those apt to indulge.

What? We never said we didn't like to be spoiled.