2008 Acura RDX

To decrease weight and increase fuel economy, Acura fitted the RDX with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, its first forced-induction anything. A four-banger in a vehicle costing close to 40 grand is a risky ploy, but the RDX did emerge as the lightest member of our trio, and its 6.5-second sprint to 60 mph makes it an Olympic luge in the world of SUVs. Notice, however, that the 20-hp-more-potent BMW X3 matched the RDX's quarter-mile trap speed, and by the time both were humping along at 100 mph, the BMW was a 10th ahead. What's more, the RDX's observed fuel economy was 3 mpg worse than the ballsier BMW's. One thing about turbos—they're thirsty.