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2009 Acura MDX Safety Review

August 13, 2009

SAFETY | 10 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, frontal impact; five stars, side impact; four stars, rollover resistance
NHTSA

Good," frontal offset, side, and rear; Top Safety Pick
IIHS

Roof pillars hinder visibility to some angles
ConsumerGuide

These crash-test performances are among the best in the MDX's class
Edmunds

There's nothing to fault safety-wise in the 2009 Acura MDX. All the sources consulted by TheCarConnection.com's editors raved about its remarkable safety levels.

Across the board in U.S. crash tests, the MDX gets top scores. And the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) names the Acura MDX a Top Safety Pick. As Car and Driver reports, the MDX is rated four stars in rollover resistance, though no crossover vehicles achieve NHTSA’s lofty five-star rollover score.

"Few vehicles equal the MDX's safety story," remarks Car and Driver. "A laundry list of safety features," reports Motor Trend, "includes standard dual front airbags, driver and front passenger side impact airbags, side curtain airbags [for all three rows], active headrests, and seatbelt pretensioners." That laundry list doesn't even mention the standard ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and standard full-time all-wheel drive (SH-AWD). Also standard on all trims are HID headlights "for better night visibility," notes Motor Trend.

The Auto Channel reports that the 2009 Acura employs the company's patented Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) in the vehicle's structure and design, which Honda has been phasing in on all its vehicles. In case of a head-on impact, ACE construction distributes the force in such a way as to keep the MDX's passenger cabin from collapsing. What is marvelous here, however, is that the designers were not thinking only of the vehicle's occupants, but others as well. The hood design is specially designed to minimize injuries to any pedestrians that may be hit, and the bumpers are at a level that will do the least damage to other vehicles.

There are a couple of safety-related items that fall short of perfection. For one, "roof pillars hinder visibility to some angles," as ConsumerGuide states. Second, you can only get a rearview camera with the optional navigation system. Without that system, it will be impossible to see objects directly behind your vehicle while backing.

Conclusion

Feel confident in the safety of yourself and your passengers if traveling in a 2009 Acura MDX.

SAFETY | 10 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, frontal impact; five stars, side impact; four stars, rollover resistanceNHTSAGood," frontal offset, side, and rear; Top Safety PickIIHSRoof pillars hinder visibility to some anglesConsumerGuideThese crash-test performances are among the best in the MDX's classEdmunds There's nothing to fault safety-wise in the 2009 Acura MDX. All the sources consulted by TheCarConnection.com's editors raved about its remarkable safety levels. Across the board in U.S. crash tests, the MDX gets top scores. And the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) names the Acura MDX a Top Safety Pick. As Car and Driver reports, the MDX is rated four stars in rollover resistance, though no crossover vehicles achieve NHTSA’s lofty five-star rollover score. "Few vehicles equal the MDX's safety story," remarks Car and Driver. "A laundry list of safety features," reports Motor Trend, "includes standard dual front airbags, driver and front passenger side impact airbags, side curtain airbags [for all three rows], active headrests, and seatbelt pretensioners." That laundry list doesn't even mention the standard ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and standard full-time all-wheel drive (SH-AWD). Also standard on all trims are HID headlights "for better night visibility," notes Motor Trend. The Auto Channel reports that the 2009 Acura employs the company's patented Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) in the vehicle's structure and design, which Honda has been phasing in on all its vehicles. In case of a head-on impact, ACE construction distributes the force in such a way as to keep the MDX's passenger cabin from collapsing. What is marvelous here, however, is that the designers were not thinking only of the vehicle's occupants, but others as well. The hood design is specially designed to minimize injuries to any pedestrians that may be hit, and the bumpers are at a level that will do the least damage to other vehicles. There are a couple of safety-related items that fall short of perfection. For one, "roof pillars hinder visibility to some angles," as ConsumerGuide states. Second, you can only get a rearview camera with the optional navigation system. Without that system, it will be impossible to see objects directly behind your vehicle while backing. ConclusionFeel confident in the safety of yourself and your passengers if traveling in a 2009 Acura MDX. 2009 ACURA MDX STYLING | [7 out of 10] Car and Driver: "Robo-shaver face" Motor Trend: "two new exterior colors have been added for 2009" Edmunds: "Standard equipment includes 18-inch wheels" Acura released the second-generation MDX to market in 2007. In 2009, Acura MDXs carry ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Acura MDX has a ride that's better than that of nearly all of the road-oriented crossover vehicles except the RX 350, while offering straight-line performance that's close to or better than all of them. On the other hand, most of these competitors outdo the MDX in available high-tech options, such as laser cruise control, adaptive (swiveling) headlamps, or lane-departure warning systems. The Infiniti FX35 and FX50 lack a third row, but they're the only ones in the group that handle as well as or better than the MDX. The FX50 is equipped with a powerful V-8, the FX35 has 3 hp more than the MDX, and both have seven-speed automatics; the FX's ride, however, is not as good. The XC90 has a roomier third row, but it's the least exciting to drive. The Audi Q7 has a beautiful interior and plenty of luxury features; however, it's surprisingly cumbersome, revealing its especially hefty curb weight.

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See the Acura MDX in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001

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