MDX ELITE IS SWEET
Quick-off-the-line, great handling Acura SUV holds 7 and all their cargo with ease
The Acura MDX received a thorough freshening for 2014, so there are few changes to the current model.
However, the big news with the redesign was that the MDX lost weight, became more aerodynamic and was more refined in every department.
Now in its third generation, the luxurious sport utility — with seven passenger seating in a rightsized package — has long been the Acura’s sales leader. As well, MDX delivers a ride and drive experience more like a sports sedan than a pickup truck.
There are four models — MDX, MDX Navi, MDX Tech and MDX Elite — and all come fitted with a 290-horsepower 3.5-litre V6 engine with 267 pound-feet of torque. This smooth operator features direct injection and variable cylinder management. The latter shuts down three cylinders under light load requirements.
This efficient engine is mated with a six-speed automatic transmission, and equipped with Sequential Sportshift steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The MDX is perfectly happy performing daily duty, but rises to the occasion when you feel the need to have a little fun.
Enthusiast drivers can select the Sport mode (there’s also Normal and Comfort), which sharpens throttle gearbox, brake and steering response, and use the paddle controls to select gears manually. The MDX will sprint from a standstill to 100 km/ h in about 5.5 seconds.
Steering is lightly assisted, and the vehicle tracks where you point the nose, even at higher cornering speeds — impressive for a vehicle of this type.
When road conditions get slick and sloppy Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive system will keep you moving safely along your way. This advanced system reacts to conditions by changing torque levels at front and rear wheels, as well as splitting rearwheel torque from left to right, to maintain traction and offer a continuously smooth ride.
The MDX is also equipped with Agile Handling Assist, an innovative system that has been designed to complement the SHAWD system and help improve the MDX’s cornering ability and smooth ride quality, and deliver enhanced braking performance.
With a spacious, functional cabin layout, seats are arranged in a 2-3-2 arrangement. I managed to squeeze my large frame into all seven seating positions with relative ease.
The interior is well designed, with most controls, dials, and instruments within easy reach. Our test vehicle was a fully loaded MDX Elite, which features the full array of technological goodies, an arsenal of active safety equipment, and upgrades to comfort and infotainment features. While the Elite model is plush, feature-laden and luxurious, even the base MDX is pretty well equipped and is probably where most sales will occur.
The second-row seating area is spacious, and at six-foot-two I had plenty of room for head, shoulders and legs. Taller types will appreciate the carved-out recess in the headliner, as well as fore and aft seat adjustments.
The 2014 redesign made the third-row seating area more accessible with a lower step-in height, and the second-row seats now move further out of the way to create a wider entry passage to the rearmost cabin.
Unlike the outboard secondrow seats which mimic the look, shape and comfort of the front bucket seats, the third row pair sit taller, reducing leg room, and have far less cushioning. They’re still comfortable and supportive, but best reserved for children.
At the same time, the size of the MDX’s cargo compartment was enlarged slightly. With the capability of hauling seven passengers, a little more room for their associated chattels is always appreciated. Cargo capacity with all seats in place is a respectable 447 litres.
For those occasions when you need to transport bulky items rather than passengers, the MDX will swallow 2,575 litres of gear when both sets of rear seats are folded flat.
If you require seven-passenger seating there aren’t an awful lot of options out there. If the idea of owning a minivan makes you cringe, or if you don’t enjoy trying to navigate one of those enormous truck-based domestic barges through traffic and busy urban streets, then a vehicle like the MDX may be the perfect solution to your needs.
The Acura MDX represents an attractive option to those consumers looking for a good mix of luxury, comfort, performance and utility in a very stylish carrying case.