2007 Acura RDX vs. 2007 Mazda CX-7 Grand Touring vs. 2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited V-6 Conclusion

While all three vehicles normally operate as de facto front-drivers, the Acura not only can route up to 70 percent of its available motive force rearward--compared with 50 percent for the Mazda and 45 for Toyota--it can transfer up to 100 percent of that to the outside rear tire to maintain its proper line through a corner. Couple that edge with an ultrastiff unit body, taut-to-a-fault strut/multilink suspension, and grippy 235/55VR18 Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 tires, and it was no contest in lateral acceleration and our figure-eight tests--although that supremacy did impact ride comfort.

Despite a sporty feel and Mazda's Active Torque Split AWD--also borrowed from the MazdaSpeed6--the CX-7 just didn't have the same level of dynamic composure as the Acura. It also lacked the RDX's wrought-from-billet structural rigidity. The RAV4 was simply an order of performance down on the enthusiast scale, its softly tuned, strut/multilink suspension exhibiting some body roll and cornering push--though it did counter those issues with a reassuringly solid feel and the best compliance of the group. Even in Sport spec (stiffer springs/shocks and 235/55VR18 shoes in place of the Limited's 225/65HR17s), the RAV4 isn't up to canyon running with either of these foes. But stopping is a different animal, as the Toyota halted from 60 mph in a tidy 124 feet, compared with 122 for the CX-7 and 134 for the RDX.

Picking a winner here is no easy task. Depending on where your priorities--and budget--lie, a solid case could be made for any of these three. Ultimately, however, the Mazda's head-turning style and the Toyota's superiority in addressing the sensible side of life were simply outpaced by the RDX's more compelling mix of personality, practicality, and driving exhilaration. Acura marketing types continue to view the BMW's X3 as prime competition for their new baby, and it's difficult to take issue with this. Feature-matched, the RDX still undercuts its Teutonic counterpart in price. But with the X3's 2007 freshening also set to bring an extra 35 horses and a new six-speed Steptronic transmission, it'll be interesting to see how the Acura and BMW fare in a head-to-head shootout. Until we can make that happen, Acura gets the kudos here for a job well done.

1st Place: 2007 Acura RDX
The point-and-shoot reflexes of a purebred sport sedan matched with the practicality of an SUV.

2nd Place: 2006 Toyota RAV4 Limited V-6
Slightly short on sport, it's the pick of this pack when it comes to quickness, comfort, and versatility.

3rd Place: 2007 Mazda CX-7 Grand Touring AWD
An impressive package in its own right, which looks great but is just a bit less fulfilling.