Filed under: SUVs, Crossovers/CUVs, Acura
2007 Acura MDX already reviewed
Just as Acura finally allowed its new MDX to touch tarmac, Joe Wiesenfelder ran up, snatched the keys and left a bewildered PR person wondering what the hell happened.
After the senior writer for Cars.com got through with his joy ride, he wrote an engaging critique of Acura's newest 'ute, with a wit-sharpened perspective on design, ergonomics, drivability and market appeal.
Pointing out the exterior's dimensions and 12th century militarized grill, Wiesenfelder continues by crediting Acura for bringing the luxo-truck to the Nurburgring to get handling on par with its Deutschland rivals. Once inside, he points out, in an understated way, the fine line that Acura is walking with interior design, then proceeds to relentlessly bitch-slap the automaker for killing off the touch screen sat-nav and replacing it with a rotary knob, ala iDrive and MMI.
Overall Wiesenfelder seemed genuinely impressed with the new MDX, although between handling, acceleration, stopping and all-around utilizing, its success will be based on the image-conscious drivers that flocked to the Japanese mark in the first place.
Well worth the read, whether or not the new MDX is on your short list.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
me 11:13AM (9/06/2006)
Wow, I didn't think it could get an uglier exterior - guees I was wrong!
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Ted K 11:31AM (9/06/2006)
Piss and moan all you want, the new MDX willl be a winner.
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Jeff McMahon 11:32AM (9/06/2006)
The most recent Road & Track testers got only 13 mpg on their tester MDX, which is abysmal for a "small" SUV. I'd wait and get the 2008 redesigned Toyota Matrix for a "cross-over" with decent gas mileage. Or I'd get the 2007 Honda Element SC with 18-inch wheels. Even the Element gets over 20 MPG in an attractive package. 13 MPG is a deal killer.
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mikomi 11:41AM (9/06/2006)
I found the reviewer's comments about using the shield.. er.. front grille as a shield to ward of invading visigoths was hilarious.
The grille makes it look like this vehicle should be in the Transformers movie.
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DJ 11:43AM (9/06/2006)
#3- " The most recent Road & Track testers got only 13 mpg on their tester MDX, which is abysmal for a "small" SUV. I'd wait and get the 2008 redesigned Toyota Matrix for a "cross-over" with decent gas mileage. Or I'd get the 2007 Honda Element SC with 18-inch wheels. Even the Element gets over 20 MPG in an attractive package. 13 MPG is a deal killer."
I think you're confusing the MDX with the RDX when you say 'small' SUV. The MDX is one of the larger SUV's out there, with only the GM fullsize, Ford fullsize, Toyota Sequoia/Land Cruiser, and Nissan Armada SUV's being larger. It also has one of the largest V6 engines, at 300HP, in it's class, not a 4 cylinder like the Element and Matrix you compare it to. And weighs in at 4500 pounds. By the way, in USA Today's test, they got 19MPG in combined city highway driving, which isn't bad for this size, weight and power.
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RayRay 11:45AM (9/06/2006)
Jeff, I wouldn't quite categorize the Acura MDX as a "small SUV." If you were to put the Toyota Matrix or the Honda CR-V next to the MDX, the size difference is apparent. I've seen worse "reported" gas mileage on other midsize to large SUV, luxury or non-luxury.
As far as styling goes, most critics complained about the bland designs of passed Honda and Acura vehicles, therefore the manufacturer probably took in those feedback and bring their styling up a notch. It may take some time to get used to it, but at least they are on "the way forward," haha... just had to get that in there somewhere.
300 horsepowers from a larger 3.7L engine... how's that for more power? Bigger displacement comes with more low-end torque... other than that, the grill will take some time to get used to. Overall, I think everything good about this SUV will win over not so good elements with the potential customers.
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Jeff McMahon 12:07PM (9/06/2006)
I got the MDX mixed up with the RDX. Thank you all for setting the record straight. The Acura call letters are killing me.
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Whydrive 12:44PM (9/06/2006)
Why bother getting this when you can get a Toyota Rav-4 for thousands cheaper but near the same level of performance and get Toyota quality? Someone please convince me why I should buy a Honda over a Toyota!
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Brian 12:56PM (9/06/2006)
It's sad that someone who writes automobile reviews doesn't know that the USA requirement where nav screens can be positioned.
I may not be 100% (it's mentioned here on autoblog in the past), but automakers cannot have the nav screen below a 30 degree angle from someone's line of sight outside the front window. In the past, most radios and the nav screens that replaced them, have been farther down than 30 degrees (Look at current Jaguar cars).
With that in mind, it would be foolish to do a touchscreen with the current positioning, unless your Shaq and have 5 foot arms.
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NC grad 1:13PM (9/06/2006)
The grille looks like military patch that goes on the sleeve of a uniform. Sorry Honda, but you can do better than this.
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Rob 1:13PM (9/06/2006)
it gets better mileage than the X5 apparently...so no problemo there..
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=116651
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Rob 1:14PM (9/06/2006)
whydrive, maybe you're comparing the RAV4 to the new RDX (the smaller Acura sibling)? that would be the only comparison i could see because the MDX is comparable to an X5 or a volvo XC90, not a 'cute-ute'.
if thats what you meant, i think i would agree with you that the RAV4 is good competition, but then again you know some people are willing to pay a little extra for the badge.
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JarryHames 3:06PM (9/06/2006)
I've read some of the other reviews and everyone seems to be impressed with this new MDX. They all had comments on the grill. It will grow on you and other vehicles will copy it. It looks like it is more refined than the outgoing model. I think that it will sell very well. Most people who purchase this car will not be concerned with miles per gallon. Lexus introduced the RXh CUV and it is doing ok in sales. I also had a chance to check out the RDX. It is very very nice and refined for a small Lux-ute. Acura did an excellent job with the interior. That would be closer to my budget and needs.
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Steve K 4:39PM (9/06/2006)
I just saw the interior. Very elegant! Nicely done. Layout, shape and colors, everything looks be-spoke and rich.
The added power sounds attractive. The only issue is the touch-screen navigation system is gone, but I guess I can live without that.
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blurger293 7:23PM (9/06/2006)
What is with all these navigation idrive-inspired joystick thingies? Seems like they are universally reviled by all the critics, but obviously SOMEONE somewhere likes them. BMW insists on using it, and now other makers are following. I'm assuming that somehow someway, the companies research is showing that these stick things are a good design.
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AdamT 7:33PM (9/06/2006)
So did Suzuki copy Acura or did Acura copy Suzuki? The D-pillar is Grand Vitara; the headlights remind me of the new XL-7. If I hadn't seen the Suzukis first, I'd love it. Now it seems cheap.
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Steve 9:48PM (9/07/2006)
I am not sure what Acura brand strategy is.
Acura has thoroughly bombed its brand.
Look at RL sales in its second year. No one wants to buy a 45K+ Acura. Classic case of Poor brand management.
Acura should have worked hard to clearly differentiate between its honda and Acura lines. Selling Acura as Honda in europe has made the problem worse.
Acura did not care about competing in S-class, 7-series category which is really the halo it needs.
If I was Honda CEO I would do something about this soon.
I also do not understand this suicide logic not to make a V8 and V12.
Acura is going to be in serious trouble and RL sales are a perfect indicator for its future.
Happy to move along with Saab or gutsy enough to go after benz??
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psychguru 1:56PM (9/08/2006)
whydrive said.........."Someone please convince me why I should buy a Honda over a Toyota!"
why should anyone waste their time "convincing" you since you have obviously already made up your mind? frankly, who cares what you drive? do your thing and don't be obnoxious about it.
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Kelly MDX 11:43PM (9/24/2006)
Does anyone have any experience with putting 20 inch wheels and 255-50- tires on a MDX? The 17's look lost while 20's should look cool. I don't want to mess up my ride and handeling though.
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acura 7:27AM (10/03/2006)
20 inch sound good, but are they available ?
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