2010 Acura ZDX On Sale Dec. 15

If you’ve been anxiously awaiting the all-new crossover from Acura, your wait now has an end date. The ZDX will go on sale Dec. 15; it will start at $45,495, plus an $810 destination charge.

There are three trim levels -- the base ZDX, ZDX with Technology Package (yes, that’s the trim level’s name) and the ZDX with Advance Package. All ZDX models come with standard leather, all-wheel drive and what Acura claims is the world’s longest panoramic glass roof.

Keep reading for descriptions and pricing of the other trim levels.

Consumer Reports' Top 10 Automakers

Today, Consumer Reports released the results of its annual car reliability survey, which includes more than 1.4 million vehicles. This is one of the most important publications of the year for consumers interested in a car’s reliability. There were few surprises in terms of which makes are most and least reliable, with Scion maintaining the top spot. Porsche, Saab, Suzuki and Pontiac saw the biggest gains while Lincoln and Mini took the biggest hits. Check out Consumer Reports full report if you’re a subscriber. We list the top 10 most and least reliable automakers below.

Acura Makes Bluetooth, XM, USB Jack Standard

Acura will deliver three favorite consumer options standard in all its 2010 models. Hands-free Bluetooth connectivity, XM Satellite Radio and an iPod/USB adaptor will be standard across the line.

The XM radio comes as a free three-month trial subscription, which customers can then opt to keep or cancel depending on how much they use the system versus their iPods (or how much time they spend jabbering away on their Bluetooth-connected phones). Prices for these options usually range from $200 to $500 for each, which makes their standard inclusion a pretty good deal.

The only exception will be the base-level Acura MDX. This trim of the MDX will have XM and Bluetooth but not a USB input. We think this one exclusion seems strange, especially given that this trim accounts for 20% of MDX sales.

Still, Acura is savvy to usually include three of the most desired vehicle options — when it comes to entertainment and convenience — in its standard package.

Acura Makes XM, Bluetooth, iPod Adaptor Standard for 2010 (Gearlog)

Recall Alert: Honda Accord, Civic, Acura TL

Honda is expanding a recall from 2008 to include an additional 440,000 vehicles. The recall is for defective airbag inflation systems that could deploy with too much pressure, causing injury or even fatalities. According to Bloomberg News, the default has led to one death in the U.S.

Included in the recall are model year 2001-02 Honda Accords, 2001 Honda Civics and 2002-03 Acura TLs.

Honda will send out recall notices in the next few months, but concerned owners can visit their recall website at www.owners.honda.com/recalls or www.owners.acura.com/recalls for Acura owners.

2010 Acura TSX Gets V-6 Engine, Same Price as TL

When the Acura TSX got a face-lift for the 2009 model year, we were a bit surprised at the sales success of this littlest Acura. Its fuel-efficient and peppy four-cylinder engine, front-wheel-drive setup and pleasant ride swayed a lot of near-luxury buyers. For 2010, Acura seems to have answered a question no one was asking: It put a 280-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 in the TSX and priced it within $150 of the larger Acura TL with the same engine and transmission.

We won’t spend too much time breaking down the similarities of the TSX V-6 and the base TL V-6, but they have the same power and five-speed transmission, and they’re within 1 mpg in estimated highway mileage. The TSX gets 18/27 mpg city/highway, while the TL gets 18/26. The TSX V-6 gets standard steering-wheel shift paddles and 18-inch wheels, while the base model gets 17-inch wheels standard.

Otherwise, the TSX remains mostly the same from 2009, with a slight price increase of $150 for the four-cylinder model. Full pricing and more photos are below. The 2010 TSX is on sale now.

2010 Acura MDX: First Look

Back to where it all began. When the Acura MDX was redesigned for 2007, its new two-tiered, mesh-like “shield” of a front grille would soon become the inspiration for Acura’s new corporate face. Every model, including the TSX, TL, RL and RDX, now sport a revised take on that look. Now, for 2010, the MDX’s original shield has been replaced by what it brought: a solid, silver V-shaped crest.

2010 Acura RDX Gets New Grille, Price, Front-Wheel Drive

Acura’s new company face, a big shield fixed into the grille, has landed on the RDX for 2010. It was the last model in the lineup to get it, and we have to say, it could have been left alone. Other design tweaks to the lower bumper and headlights are more welcome and add a beefier look overall. The backside gets some work, too, but it’s harder to see the changes there. The dual exhaust pipes are now hexagonal instead of circular, and the license plate frame is slightly smaller.

Inside, hardly anything gets touched, and the engine is the same 240-hp, turbocharged four-cylinder. The biggest changes come in terms of trim levels. The RDX now comes in a base, front-wheel-drive model in addition to the previous all-wheel-drive version. There are technology packages available for both. Pricing for the front-wheel-drive model is $32,520, with all-wheel drive starting at $34,520. The 2009 RDX with all-wheel drive started at $33,895. What do you get for the extra $600 and change besides the new grille?

First Look: 2010 Acura ZDX, On Sale This Winter

Acura’s new ZDX crossover will go on sale this winter, the automaker announced today. It also unveiled the first images of the production version, seen in the photos above and below.

The styling of the production version is almost identical to the prototype we saw at April’s New York auto show. However, we’re not sure why Acura made the door panel gaps so pronounced, even extending them across the top of the vehicle. It makes it look a bit like a jigsaw puzzle. 

The ZDX will feature a 300-hp V-6 and Acura’s new six-speed automatic transmission, as well as standard all-wheel drive. Nineteen-inch wheels are also standard; as the company points out, they’re the largest in the Acura lineup.

We also get a glimpse of the interior, which looks very similar to the redesigned TL sedan in terms of scalloped dashboard. The ZDX seats five, unlike the BMW X6, which forgoes a fifth seat in the rear for a cargo compartment.

Speaking of cargo, the ZDX offers up some surprises because it doesn’t pack a normal SUV silhouette. The side panels in the cargo area can be removed so longer items like golf bags can fit across.

Acura says the ZDX will go on sale this winter and will be priced between the $40,990 MDX SUV and the $46,830 RL sedan.

Conan O'Brien's Questionable Taste in Cars

While we love Conan O’Brien and his new gig on “The Tonight Show,” we’re learning he’s no Jay Leno when it comes to automotive tastes.

First, there’s his self-admitted love of his ancient Ford Taurus SHO, which made an appearance in his first episode as “Tonight Show” host. Then, last night we caught him in a skit with Donald Trump opening a trunk full of The Donald’s new book. The car? It’s a new Acura TL, which has been much-maligned because of its design.

And based on the sales numbers, Conan appears to be one of a very few people who bought one.

After bragging so much about the Taurus SHO, we can only assume the TL is more of a daily driver. Still, Leno was buying a new vintage car every week when he was hosting.

For the record, the staff of Cars.com has plenty of suggestions if Conan blows it and one of us is tapped to host late night’s most famous hour.

"The Tonight Show with Kelsey Mays," anyone?

Check out the video after the jump.

Reader Review of the Week: 2009 Acura RDX

LoveCars68 from Media, Penn., bought a new 2009 RDX that immediately went into direct competition with his last car, a Volkswagen Jetta. To find out which vehicle wins out, check out the full reader review of the ’09 RDX. Then, if you have something to say about your vehicle, visit the Reader Review homepage here.