2007 Acura RDX

After accumulating 5700 miles, the RDX alerted us via its Maintenance Minder system that it required minor servicing. We took it to Santa Monica Acura, which, for $116.42, replaced five quarts of Mobil 1, rotated the Michelins, and inspected the four-wheel disc brakes. The RDX then took associate editor Allyson Harwood on a weekend of running errands, carrying gear, and dealing with traffic in the rain. "I love the size of this vehicle-it helps keep it agile and easy to park, but provides plenty of cargo room and a decent-size two-row cabin. The brakes are firm and responsive, something that instills confidence when dealing with sudden stops (getting cut off) in L.A. traffic." That said, Harwood isn't fond of "the turbo lag that makes the RDX unnerving to drive in the rain."