Brace yourself gentle readers. The sophomore model Acura MDX is neither appreciably larger nor significantly heavier than the outgoing 2006 model. Yes, it’s true. In this era of automotive bloat, when the vast majority of major manufacturers cater to fashion and safety requirements with steadily-increasing automotive obesity, Acura’s engineers have attained the near impossible: improvement without additional mass. So is it a small step sideways for Acura, or a giant leap forwards for the MDX?
The rivet counters amongst you will maintain that the redesigned MDX is 2” longer and .5” wider than the outgoing model. True; but it’s also nearly 3” shorter (without sacrificing ground clearance) and only 46 pounds portlier (a 1% increase). My unscientific conclusion on this weighty matter: the MDX’ mass has been reapportioned but not materially increased. Anyway, standing pat makes perfect sense.
Unlike other midsized SUV’s, the MDX never pretended to be anything other than a tall street rod. In 2007 garb, Acura’s puddle plugger takes another stylistic step away from its [theoretical] off-road roots. The designers ditched the wheel wells’ Jeepish trapezoids for something more rounded and refined. Following this fall’s trend in CUV couture, Acura blackened the C-pillars and widened the D-pillars at the top, creating an aerodynamic downward sweeping arc of sidelights.
The MDX’ new streetwise face closes the outgoing model’s gaping open-mouth bumper, and pushes the fog lights lower and wider. Two dimpled metal chevrons frame the Acura logo. Up close, they appear surprisingly like ornamental cheese graters. From a distance, they make the MDX front end look like the head of a giant Remington MicroScreen electric shaver – ready to trim unsightly hair from America’s highways.
In typical Acura fashion, the MDX’ dashboard is infested with gizmology; from a 10-speaker Dolby music system that plays every post-tape audio source extant, to a sat nav system that tells you how to avoid traffic to get to your Bluetoothed reservation at a Zagat-approved restaurant. Unfortunately, swoopy swaths of pseudo wood flank the center dash’s geewhizzery. At least, I think it’s simulated wood grain; the dark, grayish, black-banded pattern that looks like the floor of a garage after brake cleaner has been sprayed on dirty disks.
The MDX’ eight-way power adjustable heated memory front seats and reclining rear chairs are elegant, comfortable and at least as supportive as an AA meeting. The Acura’s middle row is equally accommodating, offering plenty of knee room for two. The MDX’ two-plus-two arrangement relegates spare brats and unlucky (reviled?) adults to the way back. Accessing this kiddie-only cavern requires all the flexibility of youth, and most of the contortion skills of a Cirque de Soleil performer. Any buyer depending on the MDX’ third row note: when your third child hits eight, it’s time to move on.
Pistonheads will no doubt be tantalized by the MDX’ 3.7-liter V6’ three hundred horses (enough equines to feed a French village for six months). Needless to say, Honda (for it is they) have fettled the Hell out the MDX’ mill, tweaking it with VTEC, a dual stage intake manifold and high flow exhaust system, magnesium cylinder head covers, drive-by-wire throttle, etc. The result is a smooth spinning powerplant whose peak power and 275 ft-lbs. of torque arrive at 6000 and 5000 rpm respectively.
But the normally aspirated engine’s impressive output and refinement are hamstrung by the SUV’s bulk. Despite the aforementioned weight control measures, the MDX tips the scales at more than 2.5 tons. Both performance and efficiency suffer. The SUV fails to plant you in your seat when you put the hammer down; zizzing from rest to 60mph in 7.5 seconds. The EPA’s ever-optimistic prognosticators foretell 17/22mpg.
The MDX’ handling almost makes up for its pusillanimous ponderousness. To that end, Acura honed the new MDX’ handling on the Nürburgring. It was worth the trip. The MDX offers both exceptional poise on surfaced roads and velvety smoothness over life’s bumpy imperfections. When push comes to shove, the MDX’ really rather Super Handling All-Wheel Drive pushes the weighty beast through corners by rotating the outside rear wheel faster than the other three. An optional Sport Package enhances control with stiffer front and rear sway bars and an Active Damper System that battens down or softens the ride according to driving conditions.
Bottom line: the MDX takes corners astoundingly well for a hulking SUV. Leaving us with a relatively slow, relatively graceful luxury car on stilts. While Acura is to be commended for adding more of everything to the MDX– luxury, performance, handling and safety– without bulking-up, someone needs to remind me again why extra ride height and SUV style is worth sacrificing a good 25% in average fuel economy over say, an Acura TL. Oh right, the third row. Perhaps Acura isn’t the only one who should try not to add weight to its existing family, or accept the Odyssey ahead.
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My OUTLOOK in this MDX is a VUE towards SATURN. Who stole who’s cookie cutter?
Those rear lights look so much like those on your average Audi…especially the A4 comes to mind. I guess that was left outside the review because nobody wants to state the obvious.
The A4 “eagle’s head” tail light comparison was made on TTAC when the new Civic debuted. They carry through to the MDX, flattering Ingolstadt’s imitators everywhere.
Who stole who’s cookie cutter?
Given the looks of the just introduced 2008 Vue, it looks like the cookie cutter has frequent flyer miles from being passed between design studios.
The A4 “eagle’s head” tail light comparison was made on TTAC when the new Civic debuted. They carry through to the MDX, flattering Ingolstadt’s imitators everywhere.
So if the Civic came out 6 months before the revised A4 rear end did, instead of the other way around, how would we rephrase this?
It is ugly.
Anybody who spells the possessive form of MDX as “MDX’” instead of “MDX’s” should be beaten senseless by a stale baguette.
its another blend-into-the-parking-lot SUV….does it really matter what it looks like?! it goes, it stops, it turns.
WTF? I’ve long had a love-hate relationship with everything Honda makes, and this one is squarely in the hate category. Get some f*cking style of your own, already!
Profile: CRV (meh), complete with Mitsubishi fender flares (yak). Rear view: Audi everything (no surprise). Front: well, at least they kept it in the family with a funhouse mirror version of the Acura nose…but those proportions don’t look right on a larger vehicle. Maybe a Mach3 or Quattro instead of the twinblade grille?
I want to commend them on the commendable bits, but like I said, love-hate. All in all, I think they cheapened the look. This looks like where the Pilot should be, not the MDX.
Doesn’t this new MDX have the dread fallopian dash first seen in the Tribeca?
This years designer fad – the sagging bottom lip grill. At least it’s one step above the Subaru/Edsel toilet seat.
So it's okay for an Acura to have a shaver grill, but Ford catches heck for throwing 3 blades on its front end.
That being said, and although I wouldn't be caught dead in either, I'd take the MDX over the X5 (or Cayenne) any day.
We’ve had our first generation MDX for 5 years now. It would be six, but we had to wait 11 months for delivery because I refused to pay more than MSRP. It has served us well – always reliable, has handled whatever we threw at it, and is comfortable on road trips.
I like the new one, but we won’t be a buyer. While all three kids technically fit in the MDX, we know the day will come when an Odyssey will darken our driveway. The third row thing on mid-sized SUVs is really a gimmick. It’s fine for kids, provided they are old enough to put on their own seat belts and be trusted to keep them on, but it is so difficult to get to the third row that it is really just for occasional use.
Anyhow, this was a great review of the top vehicle in a class that probably shouldn’t exist. To those who think the new MDX looks ugly in pictures, you’re right; although in person I think it works because Honda got the dimensions right.
tlcastle: Anybody who spells the possessive form of MDX as “MDX’” instead of “MDX’s” should be beaten senseless by a stale baguette.
Uh… I hate to be picky here, but if you're going to be the grammar police you should be careful what you write. How could a stale baguette beat anyone senseless? Someone has to swing it. I think what you meant to say was "should be beaten senseless with a stale baguette."
Yawn. Next!
I’d be interested to see an automotive design/engineering list of priorities and goals for a model (not necessarily this one). I know such a thing would never be released to the public, but it is fun to imagine the lists that would have been made…
AWD
Bluetooth
Parking sensors
Flak CannonImproved Handling
Suspension tuning at the Nürburgring
Scissor doorsLarger standard wheels
Wider rubber
WingsNo, no, no, you should be eaten senseless by a pale baquette.
WCM-
I take it your tester was not equipped with the active GM/Delphi magnetic suspension (Sport Supension)?
What did you think of the handling without it?
I hear a lot about tuning cars at the Nürburgring lately. Is this just because I visit TTAC and Jalopnik a lot, or is this becoming common to TV and radio like “Trail rated.”
I know I’m hearing it, but I just can’t remember where
Third row seating in this class of vehicle is no more usefull than the third rows seats were in a 1980s Volvo wagon. What a waste.
It seems like the MDX is about as good as it gets in this class of vehicle, but the whole category is mostly silly.
Now where is my TSX wagon???? The European Accord is sold everwhere else as a wagon, so why not make the US version available? It would make a whole lot more sense for a large fraction of the MDX buying segment, especially if all wheel drive were an option.
Maybe I need to move to another country :(.
With three young children, I’d personally find the third row very useful.
The wood is fake. If you want real wood in an Acura, you have to get the RL.
Despite all of the improvements, the price remains much the same as before once you adjust for features. To compare the pricing of the MDX with the competition:
http://www.truedelta.com/prices.php
Not to continue in the pedantic mold, but I think you mean “extant” instead of “extent” (”…that plays every post-tape audio source extent…”). :)
lol
I hear a lot about tuning cars at the Nürburgring lately. Is this just because I visit TTAC and Jalopnik a lot, or is this becoming common to TV and radio like “Trail rated.”
It’s quite common on TV, for instance on TopGear. By the way, I know for a fact that BMW and especially Porsche have been using Ye Olde Nürburgring (Ze Nordschleife) for decades to fine-tune their chassis setup. Quite succesfully too I would say.
If I remember reading correctly, back in the day only Porsches that could manage a laptime below 9 minutes got the honory title “Carrera”.
The A4 “eagle’s head” tail light comparison was made on TTAC when the new Civic debuted. They carry through to the MDX, flattering Ingolstadt’s imitators everywhere.
Ow, ok. I guess I missed that because (for now) we only get the Civic 3- and 5 door hatchback here in Europe and the Hybrid sedan (that nobody buys btw). I don’t recall any Audi headlights on those.
My bad. Sorted.
Seems OK. About as exciting as watching hair grow.
Can we stop with the brown top/beige bottom interiors? Pretty please?
It’s all good. I love the way you guys write. It makes reading these articles so much more entertaining than the rest. You actually use vocabularies beyond the 6th grade reading level, and aren’t afraid of off-color commentary!
More power to you!
tlcastle: Anybody who spells the possessive form of MDX as “MDX’” instead of “MDX’s” should be beaten senseless by a stale baguette.
The traditional usage of possessive polysyllabic proper nouns (such as the acronym MDX where you enunciate each letter) ending in the sibilants s, z, and x is with an apostrophe (i.e. s omitted). For instance you would write Jesus’, not Jesus’s. As you advocate, some sources recommend that all possessive proper nouns use apostrophe + s to more accurately mirror the spoken word, but this usage is not mandatory.
Just curious.
If 7.5 seconds is “relatively slow” in getting yet another luxo-shite-barge from hulking rest to 60, what is decent acceleration considered nowadays?
Isn’t 7.5 pretty fast? Sub 4 seconds is supercar range, 5 to 6 seconds is spors car fast, over 6 is slowing down, and now over 7 seconds (I bet most sports cars in the 80’s were slower) is slow?
What are the general standards here?
Just askin’.
In pictures I think the MDX isn’t half bad. In person it comes off the same way as many of Honda’s other recent efforts: slightly overweight. Perhaps this works well for the American market, but whenever I see an Accord (USDM), RL, or new MDX I can’t help but think it looks bloated.
The plood on the dashboard really is nasty, and Acura needs to cease using fake wood as soon as possible. Really. It’s marginally acceptable in the TSX, but the darker stuff in the TL, RDX and MDX needs to go now.
Now where is my TSX wagon???? The European Accord is sold everwhere else as a wagon, so why not make the US version available?
Hear hear. A TSX wagon with AWD would hit the sweet spot in the luxury sport wagon market: classier than the Outback and more affordable than the A4 Avant.
But if I can’t get that (and I really doubt Honda’s going to start bringing wagons back to the US), how about an Acura version of the Honda Stream?
My wife has a MDX. The third row seat is far from useless.
We don’t use it often, so it is usually folded down flat, and we don’t give up anything by it being there. But when we need to give a couple extra kids (even teenagers) a ride to the movies or mall, we’ve got a place for them to safely sit.
Who cares if they are comfortable? We aren’t using it to travel cross country. And we never have had a need to carry 8 adults (who I would be a little more concerned about their comfort).
Kids can be squished for short rides, especially if the alternative is to have to take 2 cars, or worse yet, be forced to drive a minivan .
I’d still stick with a Nissan Murano compared to all other CUV’s currently out there including the MDX and X5. It does almost everything as well or better for less money and it looks better. I admit that I’m biased since I used to own one.
I’m actually a bit surprised that other then MB none of the luxury brands has brought out a mini-van. Rich people don’t want to be seen in anything as suburban as a Honda or Toyota, so what are they supposed to drive when they have 3 or more kids under 5?
Eric Miller, I did drive the non-sport MDX without the electromagnetically controlled Active Damper System. It seemed suspiciously loose to me at slow speeds but really stayed composed during aggressive cornering, albeit with more lean and rebound than the ADS model. I attribute its improved agility when pushed hard to the SH-AWD that pushes you through corners (when your foot is on the accelerator, not on the brake).
I really like the new MDX. I do appreciate the comparison to the TL as well…I was lucky enough to test drive the TL after I traded in my old TL after 7+ years…what an amazing car they have in the TL (especially the Type S). Yes, yes…it’s not perfect because it’s not AWD or RWD, but it really is a great car…and they obviously aren’t targetting sports-car junkies. :)
Great write-up…the AA reference was a bit of a stretch however.
The review doesn’t mention the most entertaining thing about the MDX: the little LCD readout that show how power is being distributed. I just wish they could stick it in an HUD, because I found myself taking my eyes off the road to see how much power I could get it to send to the outside rear wheel.
Pasted from the X5 thread:
jthorner wrote: “You just cannot find and beat the MDX’s features anywhere else for the price.”
Eric Miller wrote: “GM benchmarked the previous generation MDX when they developed the Lambda large CUVs (Outlook, Acadia, Enclave). Please don’t laugh when I suggest that they come pretty close to the new one as well. Believe it or not, they also offer more features. I have driven both. The MDX is fantastic, but the Lambdas are at least 90+% as good for less than 90% the price. I was impressed, as my TTAC review (and this comment) shows. Flame suit on.”
jthorner wrote: “Why can’t GM produce a 110% as good vehicle instead of another 90% effort? Almost as good and a bit cheaper is not a prescription for greatness or success. Once you factor in the difference in resale values the bargain priced GM vehicle isn’t a bargain.”
Outlook vs MDX
They’re much more similar than one would think
Tire size, track, and suspension set ups are similar
Outlook beats MDX on:
Useable third row seating (+4″ leg/ +3″ head/ +5″ hip)
Access to the third row is larger and easier
3 passenger third row with LATCH child center (vs 2 pass MDX)
Available center-row buckets
More cargo space (max 116.9 vs 83.5 MDX)
Large (3′x4′) fixed-panel rear sunroof
Available factory remote start
Available in front wheel drive (MDX is AWD only)
Touch-screen use of nav/audio (both are voice)
Heated windshield washers
DOHC with continous phasing int/exh (vs SOHC VTEC MDX)
6 speed automatic (vs MDX 5spd)
2-3 mpg better fuel economy, despite its increased size
Uses regular unleaded (vs Premium MDX)
10.5″ longer wheelbase for better ride, larger door openings
Available 19″ wheels (18 only MDX)
100,000 mile powertrain warranty (vs 70K MDX)
$4400 price advantage option-for-option
MDX beats Outlook on:
25 hp / 25 lbs-ft advantage (300/275 MDX vs 275/251 OL)
250 pound weight advantage
1/2 second advantage zero-to-sixty
Available GM/Delphi magnetic ride w/ Sport (~$2000 more)
SH-AWD is more sophisticated and improves handling
Blue-Tooth interface (std) and available DVD audio
Available heated seating for second row (front only OL)
8-way power passenger’s seat (vs 4-way OL)
Power tilt and telescope steering column (non-power OL)
Real-time traffic and Zagat with optional navigation
LED taillights
Better standard warranty (4/50 vs 3/36 OL)
Every feature not discussed here is available or equal on both
That’s the list. (Micheal Karesh may do it better)
Whether the $4400 is worth it is a personal call.
The biggest difference is size. It may be important to some, a detriment to others.
Resale value is conjecture as neither have been projected by ALG. Saturn has historically done very well (#1 domestic) and so has Acura (#5 luxury).
CSJohnston brought up the Acadia and Enclave, and yes, the Enclave will fill the feature gaps including second row heated seats, better ride (maybe air or magnetic), same 4/50 basic warranty, and add features like heads-up display, double-pane ‘quiet tuned’ side windows and acoustic windshield, etc. Enclave may also be the first Lambda to feature GM’s direct injection version of the 3.6L HF reported to be 304-320hp (we’ll see it in the new CTS at Detroit IAS). Enclave, however, will be priced with MDX.
Huh boy….well, this “thing” is hideous, as I said yesterday in the X5 review. Just plain hideous. Like the Pilot, the headlamp design is too busy and looks unfinished. The ass looks like an Audi A4 Avant that’s eaten way too much. The fenders are Mazdaesque and out of place on this “SUV”. And that grille…..well….it’s the world’s most expensive cheese grater.
Like I said yesterday….if I want an SUV, I’ll get a Jeep. If I want an all weather street car that can fit stuff in it, I’ll get a Legacy wagon, BMW 530xi wagon or an Audi S4 Avant.
“Steve_S: Rich people don’t want to be seen in anything as suburban as a Honda or Toyota, so what are they supposed to drive when they have 3 or more kids under 5?”
If you’re rich (and I think we’re talking rich in the image-concious, Bimmer-leasing, second mortgage-having, upwardly mobile, nouveau type), 3 kids under 5 could make you not rich in a hurry.
And if you’re the real kind of rich, aka wealthy, you probably don’t give a crap about your image, and you get the Honda.
While we’re on the subject of writing style and grammar…
“pusillanimous ponderousness”?
I know the author has only 800 words to get his message out, but I’m not sure such preciosity is warranted when a phrase such as “excess avoirdupois” or “a superfluity of corpulence” would convey the concept just as well…;-D…
I drive the current generation MDX, and my wife loves it. The interior was usable, and certainly not as cluttered or busy as some cars I have sat in. The new one? Exterior isn’t bad (followed one for a few miles on the freeway the other day), but the interior just will not do.
As for the Murano comparison, sit in the two side by side. The interior of the Murano is cheap as only Nissan does. Sit in both after 15k miles, then see the difference. And how does a car that weighs 500 pounds less, and has a CVT, get worse mileage? I don’t get that.
Frank:
Touche.
But I wasn’t acting as the grammar police, I was acting as the punctuation police. ;)
3 kids under 5 could make you not rich in a hurry.
Easy decision here – money went into our 3 boys’ 529 accounts, and they are ferried in a more affordable Sienna that comfortably holds 8 – useful when family is visiting. Much better use of funds in the long run.
Nice Review.
Has Honda worked out that transmission problem…yet?
A quick glance at Acura MDX. o r g suggests they haven’t…yet.
But then, if they would invest some money in how to design a functional tranny instead of
paying off the UAWbuilding cars “infested with gizmology…”Don’t bother with the minivan talk. We all know it’s the best use of space and money of any vehicle type on earth.
The SUV craze is dependent on the “craze” portion of the term.
On a related note, where are the minivans with more focus on handling–air suspensions, larger wheels, etc? They could probably take them a lot further, with minimal functionality compromise, if only the market demanded it.
The review doesn’t mention the most entertaining thing about the MDX: the little LCD readout that show how power is being distributed. I just wish they could stick it in an HUD, because I found myself taking my eyes off the road to see how much power I could get it to send to the outside rear wheel.
This was my experience when I drove the RL this summer. It’s like drivnig a video game.
Except it didn’t. Audi revealed this design before Honda.
“Those rear lights look so much like those on your average Audi…especially the A4 comes to mind. I guess that was left outside the review because nobody wants to state the obvious.”
I agree. However, there is one significant difference – they work. It seems every Audi/VW I see on the road, including mine, has one non-functioning rear tail lamp. Form is useless without functionality.
Or, you don’t give a crap about your image, and you get the best you can get (whatever that is).. Why is it people love to float the theory that super wealthy people own inexpensive cars because they don’t care about their image, ignoring the reality that most people buy the best thing they can afford…?
WTH? I have never seen what you’re talking about, on my Audi RS4, nor on any of the 4 Trillion A4s/A6s that are driving around NY/CT every minute.
Nice review William (Can I call you Will, Willy, Bill, Eddy Baby?).
I especially like the reference to brake cleaner…some of us still do our own wrenching, much as we can!
The seemingly good news here is that Acura apparently fought the battle of the bulge. Perhaps we could see a reversal of the trend to blimp one’s ride.
Seems like a worthy ML and X5 competitor. However, for this kind of money, I expect three blades and a pivoting head.
quantimouse, I’m just floating the theory that a wealthy person with 3 or 4 young children is not likely any more put off by the notion of driving a Honda minivan than the average person.
people with loads of cash tend to indulge in the things that they personally care about. That might be luxury vehicles, might not.