2013 Acura RDX to start at $35,205

Acura announced on Thursday that the 2013 RDX crossover will start at $35,205 including an $885 destination fee. That's a significant jump over the current Acura RDX, which starts at $33,780 including destination.

Granted, the extra money buys you two more cylinders: The 2013 RDX features a new 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 33 more horses than the outgoing model, for a total of 273 hp. The smaller, turbocharged 2.3-liter is gone from the lineup, but Acura claims fuel mileage will improve. The front-drive 2013 model is expected to get up to 20 mpg city and 28 mpg on the highway, versus 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway for the outgoing FWD RDX.

A new six-speed transmission is standard on the RDX, while the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system costs an extra $1,400.

The RDX gets a refreshed interior with extra noise insulation. Leather seats are standard, as is a premium audio system and a power moonroof. The 2013 model also gets Pandora Internet radio, keyless access and a rearview camera standard.

The Technology package is a $3,700 option that adds navigation voice recognition, a hard drive for music, traffic and weather functions, dual-zone automatic climate control and a power tailgate.

The 2013 Acura RDX will be produced at Honda's plant in East Liberty, Ohio, and will go on sale in early spring 2012.

(check out our review of the 2013 Acura RDX Tech)

By Jake Lingeman