2013 Acura MDX

Even though it is a sibling to the Honda Pilot, it barely resembles the Pilot in any aspect. The MDX can directly be compared to Buick Enclave, Lincoln MKT, and the Volvo XC90.

The Acura MDX comes in an AWD trim which comes at an MSRP of around $43,280 and that’s all. What makes the car special is the variety of add-on packages that come with the trim that make the model more distinguishable. Standard features in the AWD variant include an electrically powered moonroof, AUX as well as Bluetooth connectivity, tri-zone climate control, satellite radio, heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a lot of safety features like anti-theft alarm system, electronic stability control, traction control just to name a few.

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The AWD model is good but the upgrade that you get with the Tech package is worth it as you get a lot of additional features like the upgraded 10 speaker system, voice commands, multi-view rearview camera just to name a few. The entertainment package is for someone who likes to be driven instead of driving or have kids in the back seats. But the Tech package overall offers the best value in terms of MSRP and features.

The 2013 Acura MDX comes with a 3.7-liter V6 engine which packs enough grunt to be driven in the city and on the long highway roads as well. The engine produces 200 horsepower at 6300 RPM and 270 lb.-ft of torque at 4500 RPM both make sure that the performance isn’t dull. The 6-speed automatic makes the power delivery smooth and puts it down to the wheels in a linear fashion. 

The engine performance mated to the AWD system makes it capable on the road and off it as well. Even though the MDX is a crossover of rather large dimensions, it does not drive like a big bulky vehicle. It feels smooth while taking turns and feels quite nimble around the corners. This is a big plus point when it comes to the handling as it steers more like a “car” and less like a crossover. The steering feels a bit light which is a downer as it drains the fun from the agile MDX but overall the performance is good and easily comparable even to its rivals.

The Acura MDX is a tough competitor and sits comfortably right at the upper half of the list when it comes to performance with a 0-60 time of 7.1 seconds, which is similar to the Lincoln’s but faster than the rest. It also holds a similar stance when it comes to top speed where it comes just after the MKT’s top end of 150 MPH, and just posting a better figure than the Enclave. 

The MPG parameter isn’t the strongest point of the 2013 Acura MDX because it posts the lowest EPA estimates amongst its rivals with the figures standing at 16 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway, for a combined of 18 MPG from its 21-gallon fuel tank. This is since the massive naturally-aspirated engine does little to save fuel despite it powering the lightest vehicle in the segment. 

The fuel economy figures on the MDX are less but not significantly so because the rivals are no better, at least in the city. On the highway, the MKT and the XC90 increase their leads so much that even with a bigger tank, the Acura’s MPG isn’t enough to compensate for the higher miles the others will run. That said, the bigger tank does take care of the driving that happens inside the city with a similar MPG figure to the rivals. The 2013 Buick Enclave leads in terms of range averaging 396 combined miles.

The interior of the 2013 Acura MDX is exactly what you would expect from a luxury crossover. The leather seats and inserts give the cabin a very luxurious feel, this is complemented by a spacious cabin which offers tough competition to the other three. The Acura’s 39.2/61.6/41.2 head/shoulder/leg space is on par with the Enclave, the MKT, and the XC90 but it falls back a bit because of its limited headroom on offer. The MDX makes up for it with great shoulder and legroom. 

All SUVs in comparison can seat 7 people but the MDX can accommodate even the third-row passengers with comfort, well at least better than most of the competition. The only shortcoming is the cluttered instrument cluster in the center dash that may seem like an eyesore, but the quality of materials is good and up to the standards of the segment.

The MDX’s cabin has lower headroom than all of its rivals but performs decently enough when it comes to shoulder room and legroom. Apart from that, the overall construction of the cabin and the dashboard layout makes the cabin feel airier. However, it loses out in the cargo space, where the Buick and Lincoln lead with volumes of 23.3 and 17.9 cubic feet. The cabin is also covered in posh materials and the fitment quality is top-notch which is further highlighted by:

• Sunroof
• Heated eight-way power front seats 
• Two-way adjustable driver lumbar
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Leather upholstery

How intuitive is the 2013 Acura MDX's infotainment unit?

The infotainment features of the Acura MDX shine with tons of features to choose from including six in-dash CD changers, AUX, and Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free telephony and music. The system also comes optionally with an iPod interface along with multiple USB ports to connect other devices as well. The MDX also features XM radio connectivity and voice command controls. The audio adjustments can also be made using steering-mounted controls with the Tech package. 

It also comes with a good eight-speaker sound system that can be upgraded to a 10-speaker Acura/ELS surround-sound audio system with the Tech package. The 7-inch center console display also works well and is intuitive to use. You can also opt for the rear-seat entertainment system and add more features depending on the package chosen. That said, some of the highlights of the infotainment system are:

• Bluetooth phone connectivity
• Eight-speaker sound system
• Auxiliary audio jack
• Six-CD changer
• Satellite radio
• Optional navigation system with 8-inch display
• Optional 10-speaker Acura/ELS surround-sound audio system
• Optional voice controls
• iPod/USB interface

The 2013 Acura MDX is designed in a manner that makes it look sporty and premium even though the dimensions say otherwise. It has added curves here and there that give it an aerodynamically molded shape that looks beautiful. The rear has sharp, wrapping tail lights that give it an aggressive appearance while the front has a sharp design that makes it stand out. The only eyesore is the chrome grille which comes with a big slab of chrome and looks a bit odd. The look of the MDX comes off as fluid and stylish rather than bulky and boxy.

The MDX has smaller dimensions but excels in ground clearance with 8.2 inches which are good when compared to the rivals, except the XC90 that has 0.4 inches more. The MDX is also the lightest with a curb weight that also helps in maintaining the driving dynamics of the 7-seater crossover. That said the MDX does maintain a very good stance and has a subtle design that is not too radical, and this is highlighted by:

• 18-inch wheels
• Fog lamps
• Automatic xenon headlamps
• Heated mirrors
• Power liftgate
• Rear privacy glass
• Sunroof
• Multiview parking camera
• Optional 19-inch wheels
• Optional auto-leveling headlamps
• Optional adaptive suspension dampers

The 2013 Acura MDX has a pretty solid record when it comes to safety ratings like, a four-star rating by the NHTSA. As standard, the crossover comes with front airbags, side curtain airbags for all three rows, and a lot of additional safety features that make it a solid choice when it comes to safety. The MDX also comes with an anti-lock braking system, traction control, and electronic stability control as standard. The Advance package adds a lot more in terms of driver-assistance features, making the crossover a complete package in terms of safety. That said, some of the key safety features are:

• Rear view parking camera
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Multiview parking camera
• Optional Adaptive cruise control
• Optional Collision warning and braking system
• Optional Blind-spot warning system
• Optional Auto-leveling headlamps

The 2013 Acura MDX is an excellent choice for anyone who is looking for an all-around crossover that can tackle different situations from dropping kids to school to going all out on a highway or a twisty road. Its nimble handling aids to its performance and the safety features ensure you are safe when you push it. It also has all the luxuries you expect from a vehicle in this segment. The MDX hence is an overall good choice for anyone who is looking forward to buying a luxury crossover.