2007 Acura MDX Review

Driving Fun for Seven

In short: A great handling, luxurious large SUV.

The first generation MDX was a runaway success for Acura, with its mixture of luxury, good looks, car-like handling, solid power, a sophisticated all-wheel drive system and seven-passenger capacity. For version 2.0, Acura spiced up those key ingredients with a solid dose of performance and luxury improvements to make the MDX a more serious player in the increasingly competitive mid-size luxury SUV field.

Much of that spice was aimed at making the MDX more attractive to male customers, with more aggressive styling and handling comparable to a sports sedan. The latter was accomplished by adding the "Super Handling" All-Wheel Drive system found in the nimble RL and RDX, in addition to extensive tuning at Germany’s world-famous Nürburgring Nordschiefe race circuit. The MDX's 3.5-liter V6 is the most powerful engine Acura produces, with 300 horsepower capable of scooting the big SUV up from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable 7.3 seconds.

The biggest improvements have been made to the interior, with an attractive new design obviously inspired by the RL. When equipped with the technology package, the center console becomes a sea of buttons that atake a while to get acquainted with, but in combination with steering wheel buttons, voice commands and the multi-purpose control knob, there are multiple ways to do any single thing. This set-up is redundant, but giving the driver control options like this allows for a more personalized experience.

The MDX is a superb offering that does almost everything well in an increasingly competitive class. For those who need added space and seven-passenger capacity, no other SUV offers this much performance, handling and features for the price.

Warranty/Service: 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty; 6-year/70,000 powertrain warranty.

QUICK SHEET Base Price: $39,995 / As tested: $47,795 Technical Specifications Vehicle type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 5-door SUV Engine: 3.7-liter V6 Horsepower: 300 bhp @ 6000 rpm Torque: 275 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm Transmission: 5-speed automatic Curb weight: 4,539 lbs Wheelbase: 108.3 in Length/Width/Height: 190.7/78.5/68.2 in Turning circle: 37.6 ft Brakes: four-wheel disc with ABS and electronic brake assist Suspension: independent front and rear, optional magnetic-rheological fluid monotubes Traction: Super Handling all-wheel drive, traction control and stability control Safety: front airbags; front side airbags; front and rear curtain airbags; tire pressure monitor; rearview camera 0-60 mph: 7.3 seconds Top Speed: 121 mph (governed) EPA City: 17 mpg EPA Highway: 22 mpg

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Photography: AlphaMedia

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(Updated: 08/25/09 SV)