2014 Acura MDX: Surprising, To A Certain Extent

You would never guess it, but the MDX is Acura’s most popular vehicle, followed by the RDX. And according to the stats, the MDX is the third most-sold intermediate luxury SUV, with second place narrowly going to the Mercedes-Benz ML Class, while the much-loved Lexus RX350 comes in first. Shocking, isn’t it!

Well, maybe it’s not that shocking. Completely revamped last year, the MDX has kept the same exterior lines as before, but it no longer looks like a traumatized extraterrestrial. The chrome grille is less aggressive – and less apt to scare people off. The most dynamic, and the most easily recognizable, aspect of the vehicle’s appearance is the headlamps. Each is made up of five large and dazzling LED lights, which also happen to do a great job. If only the selection of body colours was a little bolder; surely no one would mind.

• Also: Updates For The 2016 Acura MDX
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A 1,000-page novel free with every MDX!

Inside, Acura enthusiasts are not on uncharted territory, though the dashboard is much more ergonomical than before, with the total number of buttons down spectacularly. Oh, and speaking of spectacular, can you believe that the Owner’s Manual is 500 pages long, the Navigation System Guide is 360 pages, the Advanced Technology Guide is 54, and the list of authorized dealers is 35. There’s a tree out there mourning the loss of so many branches in the name of technology. As a consolation, the centre console is nice and big, the storage compartments are numerous and the cabin has been finished with care. But still.

The front seats are comfortable enough for a king, those in the second row for a prince, and those in the third row (the MDX can seat seven) for a mere commoner. Space is tight, especially for adult legs. If you have knees, you should enjoy sitting in the back row, as you’ll have them in your face the whole time – that’s how low the seat is. Many people have also complained that the front seats lack adjustability, but personally, I didn’t find it bothersome.

The MDX’s trunk is the largest in its category, which includes the Audi Q7, BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz ML-Class, Porsche Cayenne, Volkswagen Touareg and, most importantly, the Lexus RX350, its natural rival. However, when all the seats are up, the MDX offers some of the least space. Its loading height is fairly high, but I don’t think it’s higher than in the others. There’s also a very useful storage bin under the floor.

An experienced engine

Under the hood rumbles the trusty 3.5-litre V6 that is tremendously popular at Honda/Acura. This mill produces 290 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 267 lbs.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm. And yet, we can’t really call it a fireball even though, in most situations, it delivers more than enough power. According to Acura, its fuel consumption is 7.7 L/100 km (highway) and 11.2 L (city). But that’s super gas, obviously. After all, this a prestige brand, right? We got 10.3 L, which is pretty exceptional for a vehicle in this category.  

The transmission is a six-speed automatic, which is pretty weak for a company that claims to play against the big kids with seven or eight gears. At least it’s transparent, though not always super fast. The SH-AWD system delivers outstanding road handling, even in winter when roads are perilous. Americans can buy the MDX with front-wheel drive, but north of the 45th parallel, Acura only offers it with all-wheel drive – a sound decision, given our climate.

Did someone say “dynamic?"

On the console, you’ll find the Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) button. Press it to change the settings for the transmission, throttle, steering and SH-AWD system. On a racetrack, it would probably be easy to tell the difference between Normal and Sport modes, but other than a noticeable increase in engine revs (which at 100 km/h went from 1,600 rpm to 3,200 rpm!) and slightly improved steering feel, we didn’t notice much difference. The MDX can tow anywhere from 1,588 kg (3,500 lbs.) to 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs.), depending on the equipment level.

In my opinion, the MDX is not the best vehicle for drivers looking for an inspired ride. Its handling is excellent, but what’s even better is its comfort and quietness. Plus, it’s a lot more inspiring to drive a Lexus RX350 (even the F Sport trim). If you really want to feel a vehicle’s suspension and steering work hard on corners, you’re better off in a Volkswagen Touareg, Audi Q7 or BMW X5 – the latter two cost more, despite their inversely proportional reliability.
While we tend to compare the MDX to the Audi Q7, BMW 5 Series, Porsche Cayenne or Volkswagen Touareg, its main adversary is the Lexus RX350. Its base trim is less expensive, but it comes with less equipment. This is also true for the F Sport, which is roughly in line with the MDX Elite that we tested. Price aside, what these vehicles have in common more than anything else is their comfortable, quiet ride.