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Wm. B. Sullivan Realty & Co.
Claudia Hommel
Cabaret Singer
Extraordinaire
Cordell Koland
Car Writer
Weekly Reviews
 2007 Acura MDX by Cordell Koland For 2007, Acura has launched the second generation of its popular MDX sport utility, although the outline and proportions aren¹t much different from the outgoing vehicle. True to its position in Honda's upscale division, the Acura MDX delivers impressive technology and excellent value for the executive buyer. It seems hard to believe, but the Acura MDX was relatively late to the SUV party and didn¹t join the automotive world until 2001. In the meantime, it's become omnipresent in my community and is currently Acura's top seller, just nosing out the popular TL sedan. This goes to prove the marketing adage that it isn¹t important to be first to market, but it is important to be first in consumer mind share. And if the MDX is not first, it isn¹t far off the mark. What I find particularly impressive in the new MDX is refinement. Everything just works so well. The vehicle is quiet at any speed and on any and all road surfaces. The quality of the materials and the overall execution of the interior are second to none. When you pay $40,000 to nearly $50,000 for a vehicle, you deserve luxury and the Acura MDX delivers. The MDX remains a sound value, rivaling units that cost thousands more in the luxury SUV market. An advanced all-wheel-drive system and the new engine are standard on the base unit. While the MDX is generously equipped right from the start, I highly recommend the $43,495 MDX with Technology Package. This includes the 410-watt, Acura/ELS surround-sound system. The package also includes the Acura Navigation System, rearview camera and the AcuraLink Satellite Communication System with real-time traffic reports. In addition, the large eight-inch navigation video screen displays the picture from the rearview camera when the transmission is put in reverse. Another option is the MDX with Sport Package, priced at $45,595, and includes all features found in the Technology Package. It adds the sport suspension and upgraded leather interior trim, a special wheel design, auto-leveling xenon headlights and exclusive trim. Our $47,795 text vehicle delivered both the Sport and Entertainment packages. The latter seems designed with families in mind, featuring a rear DVD entertainment system, heated second-row seats and a remote-linked power tailgate. Acura is emphasizing the sporting aspirations of the new MDX. Besides featuring a 300-horsepower V-6 engine and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, the company claims that the suspension was tuned on Germany's demanding Nurburgring Nordschleife race circuit. Acura is touting its all-wheel-drive system as the big thing in handling. Conventional all-wheel-drive systems distribute torque between the front and rear wheels as conditions dictate. The Acura version adds the ability to redirect torque between the left and right rear wheels. In fact, the system can channel up to 100 percent of engine torque to the outer rear wheel when cornering. Despite all of the technology, while the agility and responsiveness is good for a mid-size SUV, I¹d be hard pressed to say that the MDX has surpassed the better handling vehicles in its class. On the other hand, the ride quality is superb. I¹m more excited about the new 3.7-liter V-6. It meets California's tough LEV-2/ULEV emissions standards and gets pretty good mileage for its class. You can accelerate from zero to sixty miles per hour in less about seven seconds in an unloaded vehicle. The exterior style of the MDX remains true to the overall design strategy of the Acura, clean and tidy, but not particularly distinguished. The interior components are well placed and easy to use. One of my few real quibbles with the interior is the driver's seat. Regardless of my efforts, I just could not find a really comfortable driving position. However, your experience may be quite different. One of the things I like most about the MDX is the adaptability of the cargo area. Both the second row and third-row seats fold flat. If I owned an MDX, I¹d just leave the third row of seats folded down until I needed to transport six or seven people. Vehicle:
Acura MDX
Price as tested: $37,450 Engine: Type: 3.7-liter, V-6 cylinder Horsepower: 300 @ 6,000 rpm Torque: 275-ft. lbs. @ 5,000 rpm Fuel economy, automatic transmission City - 17 mpg Highway - 22 mpg Curb Weight: 4,578 lbs.  Cordell Koland is an automotive journalist based in California's central coast. He can be reached at cordellkoland@oakparkjournal.com |
