First look: Acura RDX reveals Honda's SUV future

HONDA’S Acura luxury brand, under which the MDX 4WD is sold in the United States, has been used to present the all-new RDX four-wheel drive wagon at this week's Detroit motor show.

A smaller sibling to the American-built MDX sold in Australia, the five-seat RDX could replace the CR-V in Australia or sit above that vehicle as a prestige contender rivalling the likes of the BMW X3.

Built on Honda’s new global light truck platform, this near-production "prototype" was shown in Detroit with a 179kW/352Nm 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine that drives all four wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission (with a pseudo-manual mode) and Honda’s so-called Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system.

It also has rollover sensors, side and curtain airbags, HID headlights and some innovative cabin storage areas.

The RDX goes on sale in the US later this year.