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Cars

Acura MDX still appealing

By ANN M. JOB, Associated Press
Published September 16, 2005

The Acura MDX still looks good, after all these years. In its fifth model year, Acura's only sport utility vehicle is attracting increasing numbers of buyers.

Maybe it's the vehicle's car-like ride and smooth-running V6. Perhaps it's the long list of standard features on every MDX, including seven seats, four-wheel drive, leather trim on the first two rows of seats, curtain airbags among the six airbags total in the vehicle, power moonroof, front/rear automatic climate control and power-adjustable front-row seats.

Maybe it's the fact the MDX is one of Consumer Reports' top-rated SUVs, or because the MDX has received five out of five stars for frontal and side crash test protection by the federal government.

Whatever the reason, MDX sales have set records every year since the vehicle was introduced as a 2001 model and are on track to nudge 60,000 this year.

Starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge, for the 2005 MDX is $37,470.

Competitors include other mid-size luxury SUVs such as the 2005 Lexus RX 330, which has a starting MSRP including destination charge of $36,675 for a two-wheel-drive model with five seats, and the 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class, which starts at $40,525 for a four-wheel-drive model with five seats.

There are two main MDX trim levels - base and Touring. All MDX SUVs are cleanly styled, inside and out, which no doubt contributes to the vehicle's timeless appeal. There are no brutish looks, no unsightly body cladding and no overload of glittery chrome-like trim like that found on some other SUVs.

This is not to say the MDX is simple, however. There's a good deal of technology here.

For example, the MDX navigation system available on uplevel Touring models includes voice recognition, so a driver can talk to the unit, rather than push buttons. Zagat's restaurant rating guide is in the nav system, too.

The MDX comes standard with a drive-by-wire throttle that eliminates the need for a mechanical connection between the gas pedal and the engine.

The electronic throttle system not only helps produce smooth, responsive power delivery. It communicates with the standard electronic stability control on the MDX to better coordinate traction, braking and stability so a driver has improved control.

In addition, all MDX models are equipped with OnStar, a modern emergency notification system, and a free, three-month, OnStar trial subscription.

The Mercedes SUV is the only one in the world with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The MDX and RX have five-speed automatics, and I wish the shifter in the MDX had a straight up-and-down motion rather than its awkward gates.

The MDX fuel economy rating is 17 miles per gallon in city driving and 23 mpg on the highway, which is about mid-point among small-to-large SUVs. The MDX can tow up to 4,500 pounds, while the ML350 can tow up to 5,000 pounds, and the RX 330 tops out at 3,500 pounds.

Ground clearance is a decent 8 inches underneath the MDX, but step-in height isn't arduous, even for someone 5 feet 4 like me. Most road bumps are kept away from passengers and are felt as light vibrations. Third-row seats have vinyl, rather than leather, on them, and sit low to the floor so passengers back there sit with their knees up.

With these seats in use, there's only 14.8 cubic feet of cargo space at the rear of the MDX. This is just a bit more than the 13 cubic feet in the trunk of an Acura TSX compact sedan. But when both second- and third-row seats are folded, the MDX has 81.5 cubic feet of cargo room.

I liked how easily the third row in the MDX folds down flat into the floor. This third row is split into equal halves so one part can be used for seating while the other is used for cargo.

Seventy percent of MDX buyers are men, and 80 percent are married, according to Acura. Annual household income tends to be between $85,000 and $135,000, and median age is 45.

Last year, the 2001 and 2002 MDX models were among a recall of nearly 1.1-million Honda vehicles because of the potential for the automatic transmission to lock up from heat buildup. And in calendar 2002, MDX models from the 2002 model year were part of a 17,551-vehicle recall because a misaligned timer belt pulley could lead to timer belt damage and, ultimately, failure.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2005 MDX five out of five stars for frontal and side crash protection. The MDX has four out of five stars for its rollover rating. The MDX is a recommended buy of Consumer Reports magazine, which lists the predicted reliability of this vehicle as excellent.

A final note: In about a year, Acura plans to add a second, smaller SUV that will be priced below the MDX.

Next car reviews, in this order: 2006 Hummer H3, 2006 Chevrolet HHR, 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX, 2006 Mazda5.

BASE PRICE: $36,900 for base model; $39,725 for MDX Touring; $41,225 for Touring with rear entertainment system; $41,225 for Touring without rear entertainment and with navigation system; $43,975 Touring model with rear entertainment and navigation system

AS TESTED: $44,545

TYPE: Front-engine, four-wheel-drive, seven-passenger, mid-size sport utility vehicle

ENGINE: 3.5-liter, single overhead cam, 60-degree V6 with VTEC

MILEAGE: 17 (city), 23 (highway)

TOP SPEED: NA

LENGTH: 188.7 inches

WHEELBASE: 106.3 inches

CURB WT.: 4,510 pounds

BUILT AT: Alliston, Ontario, Canada

OPTIONS: None

DESTINATION CHARGE: $570

[Last modified September 15, 2005, 11:02:11]