December 2006
First Look: 2007 Acura MDX
Redesigned luxury SUV climbs to a new level
Overview. Acura pioneered the car-based, three-row SUV when it introduced the MDX back in 2001, offering a larger alternative to its
sole competitor of the time, the five-passenger Lexus RX 300. The original MDX shared some components with the Honda Odyssey
minivan, and it served as the forerunner of the Honda Pilot SUV.
Three-row car-based vehicles--the "next big thing" in the SUV world just a few years ago--have become a trend-setting reality. New entries from Audi, General Motors, Mazda, and others are just arriving on the market as Acura introduces its second-generation MDX, the redesigned 2007 model. The new MDX delivers increased power and sophistication and is designed to be a stronger competitor of the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, and Volvo XC90. The new MDX has also moved up in price. It starts at $39,995, but most MDXs hover around the mid-$40s. The engine is a new 300-hp, 3.7-liter V6 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes all-wheel drive, xenon headlights, and three-zone climate system. Safety gear includes electronic stability control, side and side-curtain air bags, and antilock brakes.
Our test model, designated a 2007 MDX "Tech Ent" (for technology and entertainment packages), was priced at $46,365 including
shipping. It came with a navigation system and backup video camera, leather-upholstered seats, premium audio system with satellite
radio and Bluetooth connectivity, rear DVD entertainment system, and the usual class accessories.
Initial Impressions. The redesign brings marked improvements over the previous, CR-Recommended model. The '07 MDX is quick and the 300-hp engine is smooth and refined. The slick five-speed automatic is very responsive. Handling is agile, with suppressed body lean. Steering is well-weighted and communicative. The ride is supple and controlled. The cabin is quiet, with noticeably less road noise than the previous generation.
The interior is tastefully furnished with soft-touch plastic surfaces and leather and wood in the right measure. The front seats are very comfortable and the center row is spacious, but, as is typical in this class, the third row is tight. It takes a while to get familiar with the array of similar-looking buttons and switches on the center console. As in the RL sedan and RDX SUV, a single interface knob controls the audio, climate, and navigation systems. Some redundant buttons allow you to perform most operations separately. The rear-view camera is very useful but takes a precious long 7 seconds to show what's behind the bumper once you start the engine and shift into reverse. By that time, the vehicle could have run over something you intended to avoid. Models with the nav system and XM satellite radio can receive real-time traffic reports in 44 metro areas with XM's $17-per-month subscription fee.
Overall, the MDX strikes a good balance between family hauling duties and a sporty driving experience. It's not as eager as a BMW X5 but more lively and spacious than the Lexus RX. We will see exactly how it stacks up in the July 2007 issue of Consumer Reports and on ConsumerReports.org next June.
Read the Consumer Reports Car Blog for regular updates on vehicles CR is currently evaluating.
Three-row car-based vehicles--the "next big thing" in the SUV world just a few years ago--have become a trend-setting reality. New entries from Audi, General Motors, Mazda, and others are just arriving on the market as Acura introduces its second-generation MDX, the redesigned 2007 model. The new MDX delivers increased power and sophistication and is designed to be a stronger competitor of the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, and Volvo XC90. The new MDX has also moved up in price. It starts at $39,995, but most MDXs hover around the mid-$40s. The engine is a new 300-hp, 3.7-liter V6 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes all-wheel drive, xenon headlights, and three-zone climate system. Safety gear includes electronic stability control, side and side-curtain air bags, and antilock brakes.
Initial Impressions. The redesign brings marked improvements over the previous, CR-Recommended model. The '07 MDX is quick and the 300-hp engine is smooth and refined. The slick five-speed automatic is very responsive. Handling is agile, with suppressed body lean. Steering is well-weighted and communicative. The ride is supple and controlled. The cabin is quiet, with noticeably less road noise than the previous generation.
The interior is tastefully furnished with soft-touch plastic surfaces and leather and wood in the right measure. The front seats are very comfortable and the center row is spacious, but, as is typical in this class, the third row is tight. It takes a while to get familiar with the array of similar-looking buttons and switches on the center console. As in the RL sedan and RDX SUV, a single interface knob controls the audio, climate, and navigation systems. Some redundant buttons allow you to perform most operations separately. The rear-view camera is very useful but takes a precious long 7 seconds to show what's behind the bumper once you start the engine and shift into reverse. By that time, the vehicle could have run over something you intended to avoid. Models with the nav system and XM satellite radio can receive real-time traffic reports in 44 metro areas with XM's $17-per-month subscription fee.
Overall, the MDX strikes a good balance between family hauling duties and a sporty driving experience. It's not as eager as a BMW X5 but more lively and spacious than the Lexus RX. We will see exactly how it stacks up in the July 2007 issue of Consumer Reports and on ConsumerReports.org next June.
Read the Consumer Reports Car Blog for regular updates on vehicles CR is currently evaluating.
