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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Sure Acura builds a near full-size sedan in the RLX as well as the mid-engine NSX supercar once again, but spotting either of these on the road is uncommon (impossible for the NSX as won’t even be out until spring) and therefore they do little for building brand image amongst the non-auto enthusiast crowd, which is responsible for the majority of sales. The once Canadian-made and now Lincoln, Alabama-built MDX, on the other hand, has been Acura’s brand-builder since it debuted way back in 2000.
At first glance the MDX appears unchanged for 2016, this third-generation version only arriving on the scene in 2013 as a 2014 model so it’s still relatively fresh. It wears
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
While still a fine looking CUV the nominal changes do little to inform would-be buyers about the big upgrades hidden within. You’ll need to peer through the window to see your first hint of its mechanical news, the old shift lever replaced by Acura’s new pushbutton and pull-tab actuated automatic. And it’s no slow-shifting six-speed autobox either, but rather a state-of-the-art nine-speed unit with optional auto start/stop to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions when the engine would otherwise be idling, while grippy standard Super Handling All-Wheel
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Acura’s 24-valve, SOHC i-VTEC-enhanced 3.5-litre V6 is unchanged and still only adequately energetic for a vehicle that weighs 1,936 kilos (4,268 lbs) as tested, with 290 horsepower available at 6,200 rpm and just 267 lb-ft of torque from 4,500 rpm, but the nine-speed breathes new life into the old mill. Shifts are quick and often, allowing the engine to maintain its sweet spot when attempting to coax out max performance for quick takeoff or highway passing, especially enjoyable when
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
No matter the drive mode the MDX offers up a wonderfully comfortable ride, it’s ample
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Acura’s torque-vectoring SH-AWD is a big part of its surprising agility, the system upgraded with a new twin-clutch rear differential design that directs torque between front and rear wheels plus side to side for quicker, smoother operation through corners plus ultimately better traction, that along with the capable yet compliant suspension results in an exhilarating driving experience that’s so smooth passengers will be lulled to sleep in comfort, other than the kids that can be entertained via optional 9.0- or 16.2-inch widescreen displays that hang off the MDX’ roof.
There are two rows of roomy seats behind the impressively comfortable and spacious
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
No matter where you’re sitting luxury abounds, and the quality of detailing is excellent. For instance, Acura covers the glove box door in soft padded synthetic whereas Audi, a brand that often gets attributed with class-leading interior quality, has been using hard plastic for the same surface in it’s Q7 up until that model’s most recent 2016 update. The MDX’ door panels are only soft touch on top mind you, plus the padded inserts and armrests of course. Acura finishes the dash top and the entire instrument panel in the nice pliable material too, other than
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
The MDX’ graphic interfaces aren’t the largest or most advanced, but the rearview camera is superb thanks to a full 360-degree view of the surrounding area and extremely good clarity. Putting an address into the nav system was a bit more rudimentary than others, however. Rather than intuitively finding similar street names
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Another time intensive process is setting the heatable front seat controls. Rather than merely offering a simple button or dial, Acura forces you to go into the infotainment system’s climate control panel and press the heated seat graphic that opens up a separate panel at which point you need to press another heated seat button three times in order to set its hottest temperature. This is a ridiculously long process, especially when compared to some others that not only include simple non-digital buttons but also enhance their convenience with auto settings that instantly provide a favourite setting as soon as you start up.
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Practicality in mind, dropping the 50/50-split third row into the cargo floor is an extremely easy process. All that’s needed is a tug on a lever that’s easy to reach on the backside of each seat, which flips forward the headrest and lays the seatback completely flat in one fluid movement. Lowering the 60/40-split second-row seats requires a walk around to either side door, after which pulling a lever on the side of the lower cushion lays one side flat; repeat the process for the other side. It should be noted that others in the class, as well as the smaller compact luxury CUV segment, offer even more convenient powered second- and third-row seatbacks.
Additionally,
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
I noted earlier that my tester came with the Elite package, which is Acura’s ultimate combination of features including the aforementioned auto start/stop system,
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
So equipped the MDX also includes most items from the lesser Technology package, albeit not the slightly less powerful ELS audio system and smaller nine-inch rear entertainment display, but otherwise adds auto-leveling headlamps, power-folding auto-dimming side mirrors, upgraded perforated Milano leather upholstery, keyless access for
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Other features pulled up from the inadequately named Navigation package (there’s just so much more) include the 19-inch alloys described earlier, plus the aforementioned eight-inch infotainment system with navigation and hard drive media storage, as well as perimeter/approach puddle lights, rain-sensing wipers, AcuraLink phone connectivity, and humidity control air-filtration plus a sun position detection system for the tri-zone auto HVAC system. Additional Navigation package upgrades include blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic assist and an upgraded audio system that comes pretty close to the one in my tester,
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
These last two come as part of the AcuraWatch suite of sensing and driver-assist technologies I promised to explain in more detail later, that also include new road departure mitigation, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, and collision mitigation braking with pedestrian detection, all of this earning all MDX trims the IIHS best Top Safety Pick + rating along with an NHTSA five-star crash test rating.
Additional
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Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
It’s not the least expensive seven-passenger premium mid-size crossover on the market, but it’s one of the best. Really, compare the MDX to any competitor and it shines in each and every respect, except maybe all-out power. Still, its powertrain is more than adequate and wonderfully smooth, its ride and handling combination sublime, interior refinement superb, safety grade an A+, and all-round goodness second to none. I recommend the MDX highly.
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