We have been rather hard on Acura recently, even calling the RLX the worst luxury flagship ever. Our criticism of Acura is only because we know that the company is capable of building gorgeous concept cars that it is too afraid to put into production. Acura has also built some amazing models in the past, like the sporty RSX. However, Acura continues to unveil boring models like the new CDX crossover. This new SUV is based on the Honda HR-V, not exactly the most prestigious model for a luxury crossover to be based on.

We know that luxury automakers need crossovers to survive and that these baby SUVs are starting to reach stupidly small sizes. However, Acura's new CDX just seems like a complete misstep to us. Like we stated earlier, the CDX will be based on the Honda HR-V platform and be powered by a 1.5-liter turbo engine producing 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with FWD and AWD variants. This model will rival the upcoming Audi Q3 and the Mercedes GLA. We seriously disagree with the compact luxury SUV segment and don't understand why anyone would want this little crossover with so little power. To us, luxury cars are about power and comfort.

The Honda HR-V is not a particularly bad car, but we have never looked at it and said, "wow, we would love to see a luxury version!" The CDX gets a new grille with Acura's LED-jeweled headlights. This model is supposed to show off Acura's future design language. The front looks OK, but the rest of the car look too much like the HR-V on which it is based. This new model will probably be a hot seller for Acura, but we are far from impressed. Fortunately for American drivers the CDX is for the Chinese market, at least right now. The CUV will be made there and may be exported in the future. If this thing takes off in China, and if Chinese-built American cars get a warm reception in the US, we may see the CDX stateside at some point in time.