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The midsize Acura MDX has a little brother: the 2007 RDX, an entry-level sport-utility vehicle, though if you prefer to call it a crossover you won’t get any arguments here.

By entry-level, we mean RDX is for those who earn only $100,000 a year and must limit the budget for new wheels to $32,000 to $35,000. MDX is aimed at folks earning $150,000 a year who budget about $41,000 to $48,000 for a vehicle.

Gary Evert, RDX chief engineer, calls it a “premium entry-level vehicle for urban young achievers who work and play hard, people migrating back into the city and out of the suburbs who want the performance of a sedan, the flexibility of an SUV.”

Marketing speak for sure, but regardless, it’s nice of Acura to think of the kids as well as their elders.

RDX is built on a 4-inch shorter wheelbase and is 10 inches shorter overall than the MDX, and that gives it seating for five in two rows. (MDX can seat seven in three.) But don’t call RDX Acura’s version of the compact Honda CR-V that’s also new for 2007, Acura insists. Besides, RDX is slightly larger.

RDX is powered by a turbocharged 2.3-liter, 240-horsepower 4-cylinder engine that acts like a V-6 wannabe. A 4 is offered to provide decent mileage, a turbo decent power. At 3,968 pounds (600 pounds more than a Jeep Compass or Ford Escape and only 20 pounds less than a Nissan Murano), you’d have to suspect that a naturally aspirated RDX would have trouble getting out of its own way.

There’s a little lag time between pressing the pedal and the turbo springing into action. And thanks to those 3,968 pounds, the 19 m.p.g. city/23 m.p.g. highway mileage rating is more tolerable when gas is at $2.50 a gallon than at $3.

For Corporate Average Fuel Economy purposes, RDX is considered a truck. So it contributes to the 22.2 m.p.g. Acura must average for trucks rather than the 27.5 m.p.g. for cars.

Acura advises premium lead-free gas. If you use the less-costly regular lead-free, you will sacrifice some performance but won’t damage the engine.

A 5-speed automatic comes with paddle shifting for manually moving through the gears, a sporty touch added because Acura wants folks to look at the RDX as a sporty SUV cousin to its TSX sports sedan.

RDX borrows an on-demand all-wheel-drive system from the RL sedan. It operates in front-wheel-drive until you increase speed or wheel slippage is detected. Then more torque is directed to the rear wheels to better maintain traction and control and provide above-average motoring security.

Stability control is standard along with four-wheel anti-lock brakes and side-curtain air bags with rollover sensors to keep them inflated longer if you go wheels side up.

The suspension is performance-tuned for optimum ride and handling. Performance-tuned, 18-inch radial tires complement the package. The cabin is well isolated from road noise and the seats well cushioned from harshness and unnecessary gyrations. And, thanks to the suspension, you don’t feel as if piloting nearly 4,000 pounds.

If coming out of an MDX or other midsize SUV, you lose some leg and arm room.

But RDX has a lot of surprise-and-delight features that make it worth a look. Lift the center armrest, for example, and the locking stowage compartment underneath is cavernous. It will hold a laptop computer, briefcase or purse. And the plastic floor of the compartment lifts to hide items such as wallets, phones and maps there.

The front door armrests have a small, covered compartment to stash glasses, gloves, keys, cell phones or tollway change, though not all at the same time.

We tested the RDX with its only option, a technology package for audio and computerphiles with a 10-speaker premium sound system, six-disc CD changer, AM/FM tuner, XM satellite radio, dual-zone climate control, hands-free wireless phone, voice-activated navigation system with rearview camera and a satellite communication system that provides real-time traffic information.

The back-up camera is in keeping with a growing demand by safety advocates to help drivers spot kids wandering behind the vehicle. It does the job, but works best when the lens is wiped clean after rain or snow.

The navigation system with real-time traffic information is a time saver. Icons denoting traffic tie-ups due to road construction or accidents appear on the map so you can reroute.

And though you sit high to better see down the road, the hood line is low to make for easier parking. Besides, the seat is high, but the vehicle isn’t so you don’t suffer from a raised center of gravity that would contribute to body lean in corners.

When it comes to attention to detail, a hard cover on the cargo floor is reversible with one side plastic so you can carry wet swimming suits or mountain bikes without soiling the floor. And the second-row seat bottoms flip over and the backs fold flat to increase cargo capacity.

To keep costs down, the hatch lid has a metal frame covered by a plastic shell, which is all you replace if it gets damaged.

Same with plastic rocker-panel covers. If damaged by road debris, you replace just the skin. The front bumper comes with a two-piece plastic shell so you can replace only the lower part after a parking-lot scrape.

The RDX starts at $32,995 and, with the only option, the Technology package at $3,500, the sticker shoots to $36,495.

Standard equipment includes dual-zone automatic climate control with air filtration; heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals (the passenger side mirror tilts down when backing up); power moonroof with tilt; 60/40 split-folding rear seats; eight-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support; tilt and telescoping steering column; and perforated leather seats, heated up front.

There’s also MP3/auxiliary input jack; body-colored spoiler; rear privacy glass; speed-sensing windshield wipers; rear-window wiper; cruise control; power windows with auto-up/down in front; remote entry; steering-wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls; XM satellite radio; two 12-volt power plugs; outside temperature gauge; and beverage holders front and rear.

Lots of stuff in a little package, but for a lot of money.

Evert said Acura expects to sell 40,000 RDXs annually, 40 percent with the Tech package.

2007 Acura RDX

Price as tested: $36,495*

THE STICKER

$32,995 Base

$3,500 Technology package with 10-speaker premium sound system, six-disc DVD changer, AM/FM tuner, XM satellite radio, hands-free wireless phone, satellite communication system with real-time traffic, voice-activated navigation system with rearview camera and dual-zone climate control

*Add $670 for freight

THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 104.3 inches

Length: 180.7 inches

Engine: 2.3-liter, 240-h.p., turbocharged 4-cylinder

Transmission: 5-speed automatic

CITY 19 m.p.g.

HWY 23 m.p.g.

PLUSES

New smaller, lower-cost entry-level crossover companion to MDX.

Very lively 4-cylinder.

Smooth ride and handling.

On-demand AWD for all-season motoring.

Surprise and delight features include center console compartment large enough for laptop or purse and stowage in door armrests.

MINUSES

High price of entry into luxury crossover.

Mileage surprises, but doesn’t delight.

Read Jim Mateja Sunday in Transportation and Tuesday and Thursday in Business. Hear him on WBBM Newsradio 780 at 6:22 p.m. Wednesdays and 11:22 a.m. Sundays. jmateja@tribune.com