Acura MDX History
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The Acura MDX is a large seven-passenger crossover vehicle. Introduced for the 2001 model year, the MDX is in its second generation, with the newer version arriving in showrooms as a 2007 model. A 2010 mid-cycle update added new features and a new corporate face to the big crossover vehicle, which remains one of our top-rated family vehicles.
The Acura MDX is built in Alliston, Ontario, and shares some of its running gear with a wide swath of Honda and Acura models, including the Honda Pilot and Honda Odyssey. It competes most directly with the Lexus RX crossovers, the Volvo XC70, the Ford Flex and the similar Lincoln MKT.
The first-generation Acura MDX replaced a slow-selling vehicle dubbed the SLX--simply, a rebadged version of the then-current Isuzu Trooper. Offered as a seven-passenger crossover, the MDX came with a single drivetrain, a 3.5-liter V-6 with 240 horsepower, mated to a five-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. Over the years, this first MDX would see its power boosted to 265 hp, while it added features such as Bluetooth connectivity, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, Bose audio and satellite radio, and a voice-activated navigation system. Side-curtain airbags were another addition to the MDX's safety package, which performed well in crash tests. While it never reached the prestigious ubiquity of the Lexus RX, the Acura MDX became a reliable sight in upscale mall parking lots and commuter lanes thanks to its luxe equipment, its airy interior and its relatively good ride and handling.
A new, second-generation MDX emerged in the 2007 model year, and brought with it a more substantial look and feel, both inside and out. It featured an uprated engine--now at 3.7 liters and 300 hp--and a new all-wheel-drive system related to the one that would bow in the new Acura RL, "Super Handling All-Wheel Drive." Standard equipment included a sunroof and leather trim, while options included a high-quality premium audio package; voice-activated navigation; and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. Handling remained tried and true to its crossover positioning, but the MDX's interior grew more spacious and useful, giving it one of the most adult-friendly interiors of any crossover vehicle. Fuel economy, though, was not a strong point, at 14/20 mpg (it's improved to 16/21 in more recent years).
In 2010, the two-door Acura ZDX was introduced, with the model sharing some mechanicals with the MDX. Also that year, the MDX got a mid-cycle refresh, adopting Acura's controversial corporate grille, which some have likened to a bottle opener. It's the best-integrated version of the grille on any Acura, at least. The MDX also received new electronic power steering in 2010 that misses the mark completely for responsiveness (it's too fast) and heft (it's way too light). The MDX still stands out for its strong powertrain performance, and for its large, cozy cabin and high-quality finishes. Into 2011 and 2012, very little else changed for the MDX. Safety remains a strong point, with the 2012 MDX named an IIHS Top Safety Pick.
