All things considered, I quickly found a lot to like about the two-wheel-drive version of the new RDX, including the crisp styling, the flexibility of its new engine, the smoothness of its six-speed automatic transmission, the way the suspension soaked up road imperfection and the cozy driver’s seat. The TECH Package also offered a lot of nice features, incuding an easy-to-use navigation system, back-up camera and upgraded 10-speaker stereo system.

There are apparently many people out there who want two-wheel-drive SUVs. They cost less and get slightly better mileage than AWD versions. If you never go too far off the road and don’t worry about not having the additional traction in wet weather, the 2013 Acrua RDX is an excellent choice. At least it looks more adventurous than an equivilent car.

A modest proposal for people in the home remodeling business: Consider Acura, the luxury division of Honda Motor Co. Therein is your best example of product quality, pride in execution and genius in the matter of customer satisfaction.

You’ll find no loose fits, unfinished edges or fudged errors masquerading as a final fix. Look at the paint job on this week’s subject vehicle, the 2013 Acura RDX crossover utility wagon. The color is what Acura’s designers call “Basque Red Pearl II.”

The name is no big deal. Execution is. It’s perfect. The hue is so deep, it seems three-dimensional. It’s as if you could sink or dive into it. It glistens as if it were some pristine lake covering a red bottom. Study it. There are no drips, drops or orange-peel surfaces. It even passes the Mary Anne Test.

Favorite Detail: Cylinder deactivation under light-engine load isn’t a new fuel-saving feature, but smooth operation is rare when two cylinders quit firing, and even harder to achieve when half the holes are cold. The Acura’s system, however, is essentially seamless.

Driver’s Grievance: Electric power steering is becoming universal, thanks to the fuel-economy benefits, and some carmakers have built systems that provide road feel comparable to traditional hydraulic setups. Mazda’s new CX-5 is a good example of this. The RDX is not. The Acura requires more effort to steer as your speed increases, but tactile information is vague.

As the pre-test break-in miles have been rolling up, we've found the redesigned RDX to be a major improvement over the old one in just about every respect. As touted, it is roomier and quieter, and the new powertrain lives up to promises of increased performance and fuel economy, based on our observations. Inside and out, the new RDX is a more conservative and relaxed package than the one it replaces, and while the more restrained interior design is well finished and appointed, it doesn't convey the levels of premium ambiance found in some competing models.

VALUE WITHIN CLASS
2WD Base w/Technology Pkg AWD Base w/Technology Pkg Class Average
9 9 9

Acura aimed the redesigned RDX at an older, more conservative audience, and did a fine job of execution. Not only is the powertrain much improved, but the ride/handling balance rates among the best in class and interior execution is impressive. Also impressive are base prices that start about where others in this class do but include far more equipment. The new RDX vaults from an also-ran to a must-see, particularly for those who place a higher priority on value-for-money than on a prestigious nameplate.

I've tested every player in this segment many times, including a new high-performance version of the XC60 the week prior to test-driving the RDX, and the Acura doesn't fall behind any of them as an overall performer.

Consumer Reports' overall reliability for the outgoing 2012 RDX received the publication's highest rating while the competition received average scores or below, with only the X3 getting an above-average grade.

•Ride comfort. Just enough firmness to avoid slop, and that's the blend a lot of people seem to prefer instead of the firm-skewed BMW/Audi approach.

You can't begrudge Acura doing whatever it takes to draw more buyers to the brand, but you have to leak a tear or two for the erosion of the brand identity and sporty ethic that gave rise to Acura's iconic NSX sports car. Acura will argue that it maintains the balance of feel and features that made it an alternative to some German offerings.

But others might as easily say they can tell the beginning of the end when they see it.

The Acura engineers outdid themselves. They took a fine 2012 Acura crossover SUV-RDX, tweaked and tuned it, put it in a sleek classic package and delivered a vehicle that hits all the sweet spots on the what a perfect SUV should be chart. Quick, sporty, safe, comfortable, powerful, all-wheel-drive (optional), economical, spacious, easy to handle, luxurious, high-tech, well-appointed, responsive, fun to drive.

And they nailed it.

In the end, the "mainstreaming" of Acura's RDX means the succeeds where it once failed. It is now more refined and more comfortable, while continuing to offer plenty of get up and go. Some will miss the edgier dynamic handling of the last model, but far more will likely appreciate this kinder, gentler RDX. Best of all, the RDX now delivers sedan-like fuel economy with improved aesthetics and a more user-friendly interior, all of which should translate into the only thing that really matters to Acura: more sales.