Acura MDX and deserves the spotlight. Approaching its tenth year of production, the seven-passenger crossover flew under the radar, always refer to the news yesterday that the growing segment and expressed appreciation interesting new competitors. Apparently tired of watching the competition steal the conversation, Acura has thrown on the grill controversial and important update for 2010 MDX.
We spent a week with great Acura SUV. Commissioning of the family, we have almost 900 miles on our test model, including a day, 12 hours and more than a couple of trips with a full passenger load.
Fifteen years ago, feeling an obligation to respond to the threat of a new Infiniti and Lexus, Acura introduced its first SUV. Although both models Infiniti and Lexus had to rely on family businesses (the Infiniti QX4 was a rebadged Nissan Pathfinder, but the Lexus LX 450 was a rebadged Toyota Land Cruiser), the Acura was an empty garage. Undaunted, he has worked with the automaker Isuzu and edited a rugged body-on-frame Trooper as "completely new" Acura SLX 1996.
Bad press (Consumer Reports notes that "not acceptable" after discovering SLX has a tendency to roll during emergency maneuvers), poor quality and attractive overall look doomed from the start. The Acura SLX was sold for only four years before it was discontinued after the 1999 model year.
After a year without providing a high-riding wagon, launched the first cross Homegrown Acura - MDX renamed - in 2001. While Hyundai and Lexus has continued to provide muscular and capable truck-based SUVs, Acura recent seven-passenger model platform shared with the Odyssey minivan and Honda Honda Accord sedan. Unlike the stiff competition from truck-like, star of a cross-piece designed MDX mounted 3.5-liter V6, a five-speed automatic transmission and all wheel drive system based on front-wheel drive chassis.
Second-generation Acura MDX debuted in 2007 on the model. Completely redesigned and larger in every dimension than its predecessor, the new seven-passenger CUV distributed architecture, Honda Ridgeline and Honda Pilot pickup - both front-wheel drive unibody platform. While the Honda Ridgeline shows, "FNG-4" AWD, Honda MDX luxury was equipped with performance-oriented "Super Handling All-Wheel Drive" (SH-AWD), powered by a modified 3.7-liter six-cylinder passes through a five-speed automatic.
Acura has made several major changes to its flagship SUV for 2010. More visibly MDX has received a facelift to customize its appearance with the rest of his siblings. Under the hood is a new 3.7-liter engine with an upgraded six-speed automatic transmission. Management and the suspension was bent, and 19-inch wheels were added to further advance his pack. Finally, Acura made some cosmetic improvements in the interior and updated many electronic devices.
Unlike some of the competition which tends to sell you an improved level plate with a more powerful motor and nickel-and-dime you for additional options is the price structure of Acura is both simple and logical. All models have the same long list of standard equipment and the same powertrain. However, five different models made by mixing the three major equipment packages (Technology, Entertainment and Advance). The few accessories such as mudguards, roof rails and cargo ships, which are negotiated at the time of sale and installed by the supplier.
The buy-in of an Acura MDX starts at $ 42,230 (plus shipping U.S. $ 860), but the entry-level models often parked in the garage. While the car is well equipped standard, Acura has chosen to give us a top-of-the-line "with the advancement of MDX and entertainment packages." The total list price of $ 54 565 includes the technology package (navigation with real-time traffic time / ten-speaker Dolby Pro Logic II and GPS-linked climate control system), Option Group Package entertainment (in the rear seat DVD entertainment, a nine-inch screen, wireless headphones, heated seats in the second row and an output of 115 volts) and Advance (active suspension, the collision mitigation system of brakes, seats sports, adaptive cruise control, HID headlamps, 19-inch wheels and more). This is a list of features, accessories and amenities - almost to the point of sensory overload - but should consider the label.
All models of the Acura MDX 2010 with a significantly reworked 3.7-liter SOHC 24-valve V6, now rated at 300 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque - a five foot-pounds of last year, Acura claims but overall performance has improved. The largest power plant in the arsenal of Honda has a block of aluminum, magnesium alloy heads and a forged crankshaft to save weight. Bolted to the transversely mounted engine is a new six-speed automatic transmission. The gearbox uses the traditional logic of Grado Keep Acura Shift wet and software to improve handling and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters have to manual control. Power is sent to all four wheels through the manufacturer of the SH-AWD on all models. Acura does not release the acceleration time for the 4600 MDX books, but most of the publications of his ankle 0-60 sprint in about seven seconds (a few tenths of its mechanical twin, Acura ZDX a little lighter).
The MDX was a great week out with us. Besides a large number of family-oriented event, which was sure to keep the engine hot, we had a trip of a day trip of 600 miles of ink in our calendar. The Acura medium is busy, allowing us enough time to examine their performance.
On a very positive note, there was no reason to fear being held captive in the cabin MDX for longer. Driver and front passenger are pampered with support, incredibly comfortable seats that offer excellent back support, as well as heating and cooling functions. Second row occupants have their own climate control, heated seats and DVD entertainment system-based head to keep them busy. While the third row is best suited for children (almost always), the back row in the MDX seems more accommodating than most in this segment. Premium quality leather is amazing and the fit and finish of materials is superior, but it is easy to become overwhelmed with acres of wood-grain plastic molded false (we were not fooled for a second, and nor was one of our passengers.)
The main instrument is easy to read visually, but things get more difficult when the task falls to the fingers. Blaming the multitude of buttons that covers the steering wheel, door panel, dashboard and center console, like wildflowers on a hillside spring. Knobs, buttons and switches are functional, of course, but the flight engineers established in 1950 was lower signs of intimidation. In addition, our test model was equipped with a navigation radio screen in color and monochrome orange display gross figures on the dashboard. All offer different pieces of information that is presented in a unique way. Despite aspiring to a single screen to interact with many major subsystems of the vehicle, several coming in the truck laughed at our discomfort with the ergonomics of the dashboard. He said it looked "futuristic" and "cool". Buck Rogers would be ... proud?
Given the level of high-tech gadgets on the MDX, it is hardly surprising that controls whether traditional primary CUV. It still uses a steel key fits into the steering column for the ignition, a parking brake pedal with a hand press, and the standard "PRND" of the transmission lever.
Driving around town or in whole without passengers, the MDX crossover is a grandmother who I love - like a pony is docile as a zoo, quirks or mannerisms air handling make the driver nervous. 3.7-liter engine makes enough torque off the line, then drag-and-merge in traffic is easy, and the brake system has never been for us to question its performance. External visibility is good, while running, and even then, as when a decent car (we had to turn on the camera, multiple views, but wanted an audible back-up sensors in addition). Acura is anything but small, but much smaller drives his physical presence would suggest.
On the highway, most Acura SUV crossed the miles effortlessly. He showed no fear to climb steep slopes and refused to start when they spend large oversized facilities, maintains its track as if it is equipped with a boom in buckets. The intrusion of noise in the cabin of the engine or the tires were kept low and indistinct (and the audio system sounded great). The active suspension absorbed bumps hard, yet gave enough to give our passengers in the back to sleep as the miles rolled by.
SH-AWD sophisticated seamless transfer of power at the corners of the vehicle, completely devoid of clunking, or button. Remember the driver of the efficiency of the system, the MDX functions at the center of the display of the primary cluster, which shows in real time, how much torque is sent to each wheel. Not the brightest thing to do while wandering corner punches, but us.
Fuel consumption is what we expected. The EPA rates the Acura MDX 2010 to 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway unleaded gasoline sip. During our 600-mile run, we used two full tanks on the road. Calculated by hand, which worked on the 19.41 mpg on the first fill up (time of day and an average of 75 mph), and 21.78 miles per gallon in the second (reduced speed on the highway in the black). Our fuel economy in the city reported that 15 mpg by the onboard computer was not as inspiring.
If forced to throw stones at the MDX, we know where it will end. Acura calls a "truck driver" was "... listening to the Nurburgring track in Germany's famous." Yes, it is surprising sports (even though these tires all seasons), but the reactions on the wheel is anesthetized. Whatever made the SH-AWD on every corner, the feeling behind the wheel is exactly what you expect: a large and heavy cross, which is very obedient, but not particularly funny Acura offers curves G, but can not deliver . free driver in the process. A passion for driving would be disappointed, but most drivers who do not prefer isolation.
When you look at the big picture, it becomes clear that Acura has maneuvered his flagship to have a comfortable niche in the segment of seven-passenger luxury CUV. The mass of the truck, including the Audi Q7, BMW X5, Land Rover LR4, Lexus GX and Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is considerably more expensive when compared equipped. Only the Volvo XC90, like the MDX over the competitors mentioned above, occupies the same price range. But Acura has more technology than the Swedes, Volvo is crushing strength and dexterity with beat for reliability.
After a very enjoyable week leading Acura - without doubt the best product in the range of the automobile - it is assumed that the MDX is well executed, a luxurious, family-oriented, all-season SUV. The title (in contrast to the performance of the vehicle), is the protagonist is one of the best values in the segment bus.