Hot news for 2010: New looks and one more transmission gear for MDX. Ÿ Front-wheel-drive RDX added; updated look. Ÿ Six-speed-manual available with all-wheel-drive TL. Ÿ TSX gets a 280-horsepower-V6 option.

Carryover: RL

Gone: None

Starting line

n Acura’s model lineup is about as fresh as it gets in this business. The TSX and TL sedans were brand new just one year ago and the MDX and RDX are not far behind. What’s left to do? Examine the trends and build a brand-new model to tempt and delight, of course. Acura’s strategy with the new-for-2010 ZDX?

To offer premium sport utility vehicle buyers a more daring and sportier package that resembles a coupe, but still retains its all-wheel-drive capability. The uniquely positioned ZDX will try and seduce a niche of early-adopting sophisticates willing to purchase a vehicle that’s far outside the mainstream. That’s also what its direct competitors, the BMW X6 and Infiniti FX, have tried to accomplish.Viewed head-on, the MDX’s carry-over DNA is apparent, but beyond the front doors, the roofline swoops dramatically downward, seamlessly blending with an elongated hatchback that abruptly folds into the back bumper. The front doors are made coupe-like long, which is intentional since they help mask two smaller rear-seat openings, the door handles of which have been cleverly camouflaged beside the rear-most roof pillar.

The roof itself is actually a continuous glass surface extending from the windshield to the farthest edge of the hatch opening. The car’s clean look extends to the carpeted storage area that can be extended when the passenger seat and split-folding rear seat are folded flat. As well, the spare tire stows under the load floor, leaving a substantial brief-case-sized compartment in back to keep all kinds of personal effects under cover.

The MDX-based 3.7-liter V6 that directs 300-horsepower to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. In normal driving, the front-to-rear torque is split on a 30:70 basis, but automatically adjusts up to a 90:10 split if the rear-wheels lose traction.