Two small things bugged me. First, the rear pillars are large and create blind spots. Also, the backup camera doesn't seem like a quality item: the image quality isn't very good, and its fish-eye lens makes it hard to judge distances. So backing up the MDX isn't easy, but it can be done anyhow.
New exterior appearance
Without a drastic departure from the looks of the first-generation MDX, this new version is, in my opinion, much nicer. The 2007 MDX isn't as svelte as the old one, and under certain angles, it looks a lot like other SUVs (like the Audi Q7, for example), but I think that Acura's designers did a good job.
And, despite space for 7 people, this SUV is big but not huge; its dimensions won't intimidate anyone. The vehicle is easy to drive around town, too, and can be parked relatively easily, despite the lack of rear visibility mentioned earlier.
Competition
The MDX has a base price of $52,300, but the Elite trim, which includes exclusive alloy wheels, auto-levelling headlights, an active suspension, the aforementioned DVD entertainment system, a power tailgate and roof rails, costs $61,900.
Here's a quick look at the competition, and how much they cost in order to obtain a similar level of equipment as the MDX Elite, as well as all-wheel drive and 7-passenger seating:
Audi Q7 3.6 Premium, 280 horsepower, $71,650
BMW X5 3.0si, 260 horsepower, $72,595
Buick Enclave CXL AWD (2008), 275 horsepower, $57,700
Cadillac SRX V6 AWD, 255 horsepower, $65,185
Ford Explorer Limited V8, 292 horsepower, $56,699
GMC Acadia SLT AWD, 275 horsepower, $55,940
Hyundai Veracruz Limited, 260 horsepower, $45,995 (navigation n/a)
Jeep Commander Limited, 235 horsepower, $56,790
Lexus GX 470, 263 horsepower, $76,150
Mazda MX-9 GT AWD, 265 horsepower, $53,365
Nissan Pathfinder LE V8 (2008), 310 horsepower, $54,623
Saturn Outlook XR AWD, 275 horsepower, $51,790
Subaru Tribeca Premier (2008), 256 horsepower, $52,495
Toyota Highlander 4WD V6 Limited (2008), 270 horsepower, $53,050 (DVD n/a)
Volkswagen Touareg 2 V6 (2008), 280 horsepower, $56,275 (DVD n/a)
Volvo XC90 3.2 AWD 7-seat (2008), 235 horsepower, $67,795
So, there's a lot to choose from. As for the MDX in its fully-loaded version, it's more expensive than 10 of the 15 vehicles listed above, but more powerful than all but the V8-powered Pathfinder. You've probably already noticed the Veracruz in this group, a real bargain considering its luxury content. At the other end of the price range, the Lexus GX 470 is ridiculously expensive, just like every other SUV of that brand.
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| The restricted rear visibility makes parking manoeuvres rather difficult. |
New exterior appearance
Without a drastic departure from the looks of the first-generation MDX, this new version is, in my opinion, much nicer. The 2007 MDX isn't as svelte as the old one, and under certain angles, it looks a lot like other SUVs (like the Audi Q7, for example), but I think that Acura's designers did a good job.
And, despite space for 7 people, this SUV is big but not huge; its dimensions won't intimidate anyone. The vehicle is easy to drive around town, too, and can be parked relatively easily, despite the lack of rear visibility mentioned earlier.
Competition
The MDX has a base price of $52,300, but the Elite trim, which includes exclusive alloy wheels, auto-levelling headlights, an active suspension, the aforementioned DVD entertainment system, a power tailgate and roof rails, costs $61,900.
Here's a quick look at the competition, and how much they cost in order to obtain a similar level of equipment as the MDX Elite, as well as all-wheel drive and 7-passenger seating:
Audi Q7 3.6 Premium, 280 horsepower, $71,650
BMW X5 3.0si, 260 horsepower, $72,595
Buick Enclave CXL AWD (2008), 275 horsepower, $57,700
Cadillac SRX V6 AWD, 255 horsepower, $65,185
Ford Explorer Limited V8, 292 horsepower, $56,699
GMC Acadia SLT AWD, 275 horsepower, $55,940
Hyundai Veracruz Limited, 260 horsepower, $45,995 (navigation n/a)
Jeep Commander Limited, 235 horsepower, $56,790
Lexus GX 470, 263 horsepower, $76,150
Mazda MX-9 GT AWD, 265 horsepower, $53,365
Nissan Pathfinder LE V8 (2008), 310 horsepower, $54,623
Saturn Outlook XR AWD, 275 horsepower, $51,790
Subaru Tribeca Premier (2008), 256 horsepower, $52,495
Toyota Highlander 4WD V6 Limited (2008), 270 horsepower, $53,050 (DVD n/a)
Volkswagen Touareg 2 V6 (2008), 280 horsepower, $56,275 (DVD n/a)
Volvo XC90 3.2 AWD 7-seat (2008), 235 horsepower, $67,795
So, there's a lot to choose from. As for the MDX in its fully-loaded version, it's more expensive than 10 of the 15 vehicles listed above, but more powerful than all but the V8-powered Pathfinder. You've probably already noticed the Veracruz in this group, a real bargain considering its luxury content. At the other end of the price range, the Lexus GX 470 is ridiculously expensive, just like every other SUV of that brand.
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| At $61,900, the MDX is evidently equipped with a navigation system. |