VOLUME 11 • ISSUE 1
FRONTLINE
January 2010
Acura RDX vs. Mercedes-Benz ®
GLK Class
The all-new 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK Class competes in
the premium compact Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV)
market against the BMW X3 and Acura RDX. It is a
Dedicated to the Success of the Acura Retail Sales Professional
competent vehicle, available in both RWD and AWD
versions, but comes at a tremendous pricing premium
when comparably equipped to RDX models. Despite GLK’s
exorbitant price, it lacks the technological sophistication
embodied in RDX SH-AWD® with Technology Package,
including Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD)
and the Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™.
This issue of Frontline compares the 2010 RDX to the
Mercedes-Benz GLK350 RWD and the 2010 RDX SH-AWD
with Technology Package to the GLK350 4MATIC. The 2010
RDX has advantages in each of the following areas:
• Performance
• Safety
• Comfort and Convenience
• Overall Value
This article provides a comparison of select models
and trim levels at a point in time. Use the Competitive
Comparisons function and Valuable Links on the Acura
Sales Portal to compare other trim levels and to obtain
the most up-to-date information available, regarding
pricing, residual values, safety ratings, and product
updates!
Performance
• Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) reduces understeer
and increases stability by turning the outside rear wheel
slightly faster than the rest of the wheels, rotating the
vehicle through the turn. Mercedes-Benz’ 4MATIC system
Bad Weather Advantages of SH-AWD: p3
does not offer a comparable feature. (See the accompanying
article, “Bad Weather Advantages of SH-AWD.”)
• According to the EPA, RDX has a 3-mpg city and 2-mpg
highway fuel economy advantage over the GLK350, while
RDX SH-AWD with Technology Package has a 1-mpg
advantage in both city and highway driving over GLK350
4MATIC, despite GLK’s more complex 7-speed automatic
transmission.2 (See the Feature and Specification Chart for
details.)
• RDX’s 5-speed Sequential SportShift automatic
transmission comes with performance-oriented paddle
shifters. GLK’s 7-speed automatic does not.
DEMONSTRATION TIP:
Have your clients experience the handling advantages of
SH-AWD by accelerating around a highway on-ramp. Point out
RDX’s fuel economy advantage in both city and highway driving.
Note the smooth operation of RDX’s 5-speed Sequential
SportShift automatic transmission.
Towing Capacity
GLK has a towing advantage: 3,500 pounds maximum
towing capacity compared to 1,500 pounds maximum
towing capacity for RDX. Discuss each client’s towing
needs. For many, RDX’s 1,500-pound towing capacity will
be sufficient. However, if a client needs greater towing
capacity, show the Acura MDX. MDX offers 5,000 pounds
towing capacity, has even more standard amenities than
RDX, gets within 1 mpg city and highway of GLK’s EPA
ratings, and still prices out (MSRP) less than a comparably
equipped GLK.
(continued on page 2)
 Acura RDX vs. Mercedes-Benz GLK Class (continued from cover)

Safety DEMONSTRATION TIP:

• The 2010 RDX received 5-star crash safety ratings in the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment
Program (NCAP) frontal and side impact crash tests.1 The 2010 GLK has
NOT been tested by NHTSA.
• RDX’s Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)—deactivates the
front passenger seat-mounted side airbag if special height and position
sensors in the seat determine that a child or small-statured adult is
leaning into the deployment path of the airbag. The GLK does not list
anything comparable.
• If air pressure in a given tire falls approximately 25% below the
recommended level, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) on
RDX displays the problem tire and the individual pressure for each of
the four tires. The TPMS system on GLK “alerts the driver… [and]
indicates which tire requires attention.” It does not display the individual
pressure for the four tires.
• A rearview camera and auto-dimming rearview mirror are both standard
on RDX, but optional on GLK.
• Though standard on the RDX, the GLK does not offer an exterior
passenger mirror that automatically tilts down in reverse.
Review RDX’s many standard features that are optional on GLK. Point out
RDX’s roomier interior. On a Technology Package model, help your clients
use the voice recognition to set the climate control system temperature
and then use the Zagat® Survey features of the navigation system to find
a restaurant of their choice. Have your clients experience RDX’s superior
sound systems.
Overall Value
• Comparably equipped, the MSRP for the 2010 RDX is $10,320 less
than that for the 2010 GLK350. RDX SH-AWD with Technology Package
has a $10,100 MSRP advantage over the GLK350 4MATIC.
• RDX comes with significantly longer (months and mileage) Powertrain
Warranty and Rust Warranty coverage than GLK.
• Acura ranked first in the ALG 2009 Luxury Brand Residual Value
Awards. This is reflected in RDX’s significantly higher residuals after
both 36 and 60 months. (See the Feature and Specification chart
for details.)
(Feature and Specification Chart on back page)

PRESENTATION TIP:
Point out RDX’s superior NHTSA crash safety ratings on the Monroney
label. Discuss the functioning of OPDS. Display the tire pressures, using
the Multi-Information Display (MID) on a model with the Technology
Package. Demonstrate the operation of RDX’s rearview camera and
passenger exterior mirror that automatically tilts down in reverse.

Acura Navigation System

Comfort and Convenience
• RDX has comparable front seat headroom and superior front seat
legroom and shoulder room compared to GLK. (Note: Mercedes-Benz
does not list a front seat headroom figure for models equipped with the
optional panorama sunroof.) In addition, RDX has superior rear seat
legroom and shoulder room. (Use the Competitive Comparisons function
on the Acura Sales Portal for a complete comparison of interior
dimensions.)
• RDX offers more standard and maximum cargo capacity than GLK.
• Many comfort and convenience features that one would expect on a

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350

premium vehicle, such as moonroof, leather upholstery, heated front
seats, and a premium audio system are standard on RDX but extra-cost
options on the GLK350 and GLK350 4MATIC. (See the Feature and
Specification Chart on back page for details.)
• The Acura Navigation System3 (on Technology Package-equipped
models) enables AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic and Weather™, and
Traffic Rerouting™. The Mercedes-Benz navigation system lists only
Sirius® traffic information feature.
• The Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™ recognizes Notes:
over 600 voice commands with 100,000 variations, enabling clients to Revised Official 2010 MDX Curb Weights
find points of interest and select audio and HVAC settings. The Acura There has been a slight change in the official curb weight for two MDX
Navigation System is one of the only systems with voice recognition for trim levels. Here are the revised official curb weights for all MDX trim
city and street names, recognizing one million such names. The feature levels. Please mark these changes in your 2010 Facts Guide and 2010
may be used to control almost all climate control, audio, and navigation Pocket Guide.
functions on Technology Package-equipped models. • MDX: 4,550 lbs.
• Acura vehicles have been praised for their user-friendly and intuitive • MDX with Technology Package: 4,550 lbs.
technology such as the Acura Satellite-Linked Navigation System® with • MDX with Technology Package and RES: 4,568 lbs.
Voice Recognition. Reviewers have noted that the Mercedes-Benz
• MDX Advance: 4,601 lbs.
COMAND system is overly complex to operate.
• MDX Advance with RES: 4,628 lbs.

2
Bad Weather Advantages of SH-AWD
To demonstrate the capabilities of SH-AWD, Acura invited journalists
to the Mecaglisse winter driving center north of Montreal, Canada. In
the article, “Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive,” Perry Stern of
MSN Autos reported on the results of real-world tests that pitted the
Acura RL, RDX, and MDX against competitive vehicles with “some of
the best all-wheel drive systems in the industry.”
• The Acura RL was tested on a circular skidpad with an ice surface
covered in snow. Competitive vehicles included the Mercedes-Benz
E350 4MATIC and Lexus GS 350 AWD.
• The Acura RDX was tested on a short snow- and ice-covered course with
hills and sharp turns. The BMW X3 was the competitive vehicle.
• The Acura MDX was tested on a longer snow-covered course against the
Audi Q7. “The course was made up of tight turns, steep descents and
ascents, and a number of simulated street situations, such as a left
turn through an intersection and a stop sign on an icy road.”
All of the vehicles were equipped with studless snow tires—Pirellis on
the RL and Bridgestone Blizzaks on the RDX and MDX. The competitive
vehicles in each group had tires that were identical to those on the Acura
model. Stern noted, “The conditions on all three courses represented
approximately 70 to 80% less grip than dry pavement.”
Acura RL, Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC, and Lexus
GS 350 AWD
“Of these three vehicles, the Mercedes was the least manageable in the
slick conditions. The 4MATIC system felt crude and car felt very heavy…
Driving was very unpredictable, with power being cut to stop the wheels
from spinning, then returning when unexpected. Even with AWD and ESP,
we almost spun the car twice. In conditions such as these, the E-Class
would be a handful to control.”
“The Acura and Lexus were similar in their controllability, but the Lexus
stability system was much more intrusive. The system provides an audible
alert every time the stability control engages. It is possible that this alert
can be turned off, but it is easy to imagine this sound causing additional
panic to a driver who may already be in a difficult driving situation.
However, the Lexus AWD system worked quite well, very predictable and
manageable.”
“The RL with SH-AWD handled the skid pad quite well, with stability
control intervention that was unobtrusive, yet you could hear it operating…
Based on our experience, the Acura was the best of the three vehicles on
the skid pad with Lexus a very close second.”
Acura RL with SH-AWD
Acura RDX and BMW X3
“BMW’s X-Drive system worked rather well, however the X3 tended to
push out in the turns where there was a bit of a delay before the stability
control brought us back into line. This was especially noticeable on a turn
where the apex was also the top of a hill—as we accelerated out of the
turn, we would slide to the outside of the course before gaining traction.”
“Another part of the course that showed a weakness in the X-Drive was a
right turn up a somewhat steep, but short, snow-covered hill. While exiting
the turn we floored the accelerator until we had traction, but power was
cut by the traction control system and [came] back on suddenly as we
crested the hill.”
“Taking the RDX out on the course next, the most noticeable difference
was that the Acura system keeps you on the desired line by engaging
stability control much quicker than the BMW system.”
“But where the SH-AWD really shined was at the apex at the top of the
hill. With the front wheels turned while exiting the corner, the BMW
pushed out before its stability system used braking to direct the front end
in the right direction. With Acura’s SH-AWD system’s unique ability to
direct power to each rear wheel individually, power was applied to the
outside rear wheel as we accelerated out of the corner, pivoting the RDX
into the direction we were turned. Rather than applying brake to a front
wheel to keep us on course, power was applied to a rear wheel for a
much smoother and more affective result.”
“The Acura also excelled at the short hill—power transitioned much
smoother and we found the RDX didn’t lose as much momentum as the
X3. With the SH-AWD system, yaw can be corrected with a combination
of power at the rear outward wheel and braking at the front, so less
momentum is lost.”
“The X3 handled this course well, but the SH-AWD in the RDX clearly had
the advantage.”
MDX and Audi Q7
“We drove the Q7 first, starting the course with a simulated left turn
through an icy intersection, with the idea of driving through controlled
but quickly, so as to be out of the way of oncoming traffic as quickly as
possible. Halfway through the turn we started pushing out towards the
‘sidewalk’ and the Quattro system applied brakes to the appropriate
wheel to keep us in the turn. However this stopped our momentum at the
same time, so while we stayed on line, we were momentarily stopped in
the middle of the intersection.”
“Throughout the rest of the course, the Audi was very stable and
predictable, easily maneuvering through the slippery turns. However the
stability control was quite intrusive—when a wheel began to slip or the
direction needed to be corrected, the braking to individual wheels was
often quite jolting, yet it was very affective at keeping the Q7 pointed in
the desired direction.”
“The Acura had a different issue when driving through the intersection.
We were able to get through the intersection quickly, but while we were
turning smoothly, the MDX would have hit the curb as it pushed out to the
edge of the simulated road. In hindsight, accelerating strongly would have
likely caused the rear end to pivot as more power was directed toward the
outward rear wheel. However with the extremely slick conditions, this may
not have had any effect on our trajectory.”
“The most noticeable difference between these two premium SUVs was
how intrusive their respective traction systems were. Where the Audi
system was very effective, it was very noticeable when it engaged. The
Acura system was quieter and smoother, with course corrections coming
from power application in the rear which required less braking to the
accelerating front wheels.”
“Turns could be taken tighter with the SH-AWD, and there was no jolting
or sudden braking as we felt in the Q7. We were able to carry more speed
with the MDX, however that could also be attributed to the fact that we
had learned the course by the time we drove the MDX.”
“While the MDX did seem to handle the course more smoothly than the
Q7, both vehicles are quite capable in snowy, slippery conditions.”
3
Acura RDX vs. Mercedes-Benz GLK Class (continued from page 2)

Feature and Specification Chart Items in bold show Acura RDX advantages over the comparable GLK model.
Feature/Specification 2010 Acura RDX 2010 M-B 2010 Acura RDX SH-AWD 2010 M-B
GLK350 RWD w/Tech. Pkg. GLK350 4MATIC
Engine Type i-VTEC® 2.3L I4 Turbo 3.5L V-6 i-VTEC® 2.3L I4 Turbo 3.5L V-6
Horsepower 240 @ 6,000 268 @ 6,000 240 @ 6,000 268 @ 6,000
Torque (lb.-ft.) 260 @ 4,500 258 @ 2,400 260 @ 4,500 258 @ 2,400
Transmission 5-Speed Auto w/Sequential 7-Speed Auto w/Adaptive 5-Speed Auto w/Sequential 7-Speed Auto w/Adaptive
SportShift and Paddle Shifters Transmission Control (ATC) SportShift and Paddle Shifters Transmission Control (ATC)
Drivetrain Configuration FWD RWD SH-AWD Optional 4MATIC All-Wheel
Drive Pkg. $2,000
Wheels 18" Alloy 19" Alloy 18" Alloy 19" Alloy
Metallic Paint Standard Optional $720 Standard Optional $720
HID Xenon Headlights Standard Optional Lighting Pkg.4 $970 Standard Optional Lighting Pkg.4 $970
Power Moonroof Standard Optional Panorama Sunroof Standard Optional Panorama Sunroof
Premium I Pkg.5 $3,150 Premium I Pkg.5 $3,150
Cargo Volume (behind back
seat/maximum-cu. ft.) 27.8/60.6 23.3/54.7 27.8/60.6 23.3/54.7
Occupant Position Detection
System (OPDS) Standard Nothing Comparable Listed Standard Nothing Comparable Listed
Rearview Camera Standard Optional Multi Media Pkg.6 Standard Optional Multi Media Pkg.6
(Not Included) $3,350
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror Standard Optional Premium I Pkg. Standard Optional Premium I Pkg.
Compass Standard Optional Premium I Pkg. Standard Optional Premium I Pkg.
Passenger Exterior Mirror Auto
Tilt-Down in Reverse Standard Not Available Standard Not Available
Leather Trimmed Seats Standard Optional Full Leather Seating Standard Optional Full Leather Seating
Pkg. $1,750 Pkg. $1,750
Driver’s Memory Seat Standard Optional Premium I Pkg. Standard Optional Premium I Pkg.
Heated Front Seats Standard Optional $740 Standard Optional $740
Audio System Standard Standard Standard Optional Harmon-Kardon
AM/FM, 6-disc CD Changer, AM/FM, Weatherband, CD, Acura/ELS Surround® Sound LOGIC7 Surround-Sound
360 Watts, 7 Speakers + 8 Speakers System, 410 Watts, System, 11 Speakers, 600
Subwoofer 10 Speakers, MP3- and WMA7- Watts, 6-disc DVD/CD Changer
Compatible 6-Disk CD Changer Multi Media Pkg.
6-Disc CD Changer Included in Standard System Optional $470 Included in Standard System Included in Optional System
USB Interface8 w/iPod®9 Integration Standard Optional iPod Integration Kit $375 Standard Optional iPod Integration Kit $375
Satellite Radio XM® Satellite Radio Optional Sirius Satellite Radio XM® Satellite Radio Optional Sirius Satellite Radio
w/3-Month Subscription Premium I Pkg. w/3-Month Subscription Premium I Pkg.
Navigation System Not Available Optional Hard-Drive Navi Acura Navigation System Optional Hard-Drive Navi
System Multi Media Pkg. w/Voice Recognition™ System Multi Media Pkg.
(Not Included)
Fuel Economy2
(City/Highway—mpg) 19/24/21 16/22/18 17/22/19 16/21/18
100K +/- Miles No Scheduled
Tune-Ups10 Standard Not Listed Standard Not Listed

Powertrain Warranty
(Months/Miles) 72/70,000 48/50,000 72/70,000 48/50,000
Rust Warranty (Months/Miles) 60/Unlimited 48/50,000 60/Unlimited 48/50,000
ALG Residual Value
36/60 Months 51%/34% 43%/28% 49%/33% 44%/29%
Base MSRP $32,520 $34,600 $37,620 $34,600
Destination Charge $810 $875 $810 $875
Cost Comparably Equipped $33,330 $43,650 $38,430 $48,530
Resources: Acura.com, MBUSA.com, Safercar.gov, New Car Cost Guide by Automobile Invoice Service (November/December 2009) (Data from published sources as of 12/18/2009.)
1
Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov). Models tested with standard side-impact air bags (SABs).
2
Based on 2010 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual
mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
3
Acura Navigation System and related features available only in the 48 contiguous United States and Hawaii.
4
Lighting Package includes Bi-Xenon headlamps w/active curve illumination, headlamp washing system, corner-illuminating lamps, and LED tail lamps.
5
Premium I Package includes auto dimming driver exterior mirror, memory-activated steering column, rain-sensing wipers, power liftgate, and 115v power outlet.
6
Multi Media Package includes enhanced voice control for audio, telephone, and navigation.
7
Windows Media® Audio is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft® Corporation in the United States or other countries.
8
The USB Audio Interface is used for direct connection to and control of some current digital audio players and other USB devices that contain MP3, WMA, or AAC music files. Some USB devices with security
software and digital rights-protected files may not work.
9
iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.
10
Does not apply to fluid and filter changes. Exact mileage is determined by actual driving conditions. Please see your owner’s manual for more details.
Acura Frontline is published by the Auto Sales Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Sales Communications Department solely as an informational aid for Acura Retail Sales Professionals. By publication of this
material, Acura does not create any warranty either expressed or implied as to Acura products. Employees, representatives or agents shall not be held liable for any omission of data or inclusion of erroneous data.
©2010 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Printed in U.S.A.