2017 Acura MDX

The 2017 Acura MDX, despite being crowded by all the well established German heavyweights like the Audi Q7 and BMW X6 manages to create a space for itself in the segment primarily due to a niggle free ownership, a fiery character, and strong resale value.

The 2017 MDX is powered a 3.5L V6 engine as standard throughout the trim line. All the trims are available in both FWD and AWD configuration. There are a total of three trims offered on the Acura MDX. The entry-level trim is called Base and it can be bought for an MSRP of $44,050. A host of safety features from the upper models is now standard on the Base trim. Other features include 18-inch wheels, auto LED headlights and a 7-inch touchscreen amongst others.

Then, there is the mid-table, a Technology package that comes with a price tag of $48,460. It enhances the base model by adding features such as 20-inch wheels, automatic wipers and remote engine starts amongst other features.

Then there is the range-topping trim called the Advance package which is priced at $54,500. A lot of creature comforts and riding aids such as auto engine start-stop, sport seats, and rear parking sensors make their way to the top trim.

Trim	Base	Technology Package	Advance Package
MSRP (FWD)	$44,050	$48,460	$54,500
MSRP (AWD)	$46,050	$50,460	$56,500
Key Features	Package includes 18-inch wheels automatic LED headlights with auto high beams heated side mirrors, an electronic parking brake, a power liftgate Sunroof and keyless entry and ignition Eight-way power-adjustable front seats (with power lumbar adjustment for the driver) Driver-seat memory settings, a power-adjustable steering wheel, leather upholstery Tri-zone automatic climate control and an auto-dimming rearview mirror Technology highlights include dual dashboard displays (a lower 7-inch touchscreen and an upper 8-inch regular screen) Bluetooth, five USB ports, Siri Eyes Free, and an eight-speaker sound system with a CD player, Pandora and Aha compatibility and satellite radio	Adds niceties such as 20-inch wheels, automatic wipers Remote engine start power-folding side mirrors, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert Navigation system Color driver information display 10-speaker premium audio system with HD radio	Turns on the charm with front and rear parking sensors LED foglights, automatic engine stop-start Surround-view camera system Heated steering wheel Sport seats with premium leather and trim Power lumbar adjustment for the front passenger Front-seat ventilation, natural wood trim heated second-row captain's chairs Second-row sunshades and two additional USB ports for the third row

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The Technology package trim seems to hit the sweet spot amongst all other trims for us. It is not overly expensive and adds much more niceties over the base model. Several safety aids such as cross traffic alert that become a much-welcomed aid on big SUVs also make their way on the mid leveled trim.

“The 2017 Acura MDX derives ample power from its V6 engine. Fuel economy is great for the class, even in models with all-wheel drive. The suspension delivers both a cushioned ride and stable handling around corners. You'll be able to drive the MDX around small areas without breaking a sweat despite its large size.” – cars.usnews

Engine and Transmission

The Acura MDX is powered by 3.5L V6 engine, good for 290 hp and is paired to a 9 speed automatic. The powertrain, on the whole, is what makes the car stand its ground amongst the flood of a competitor. The engine is fun to rev up to the red line which surprising from a car that looks like a family minivan.

Models	Acura MDX	Infiniti QX60	BMW X6 sDrive35i	Audi Q7
MSRP	$44,050	$43,100	$62,500	$49000
Engine	3.5L 6cyl	3.5L 6cyl	3.0L DOHC 24 Valve Inline 6 Turbocharged	3.0L V6 cylinder
Transmission	9-Speed Automatic	CVT automatic	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
Horsepower	290 hp	295 hp	300 hp	333 hp
Torque	267 lb-ft	270 lb-ft	300 lb-ft	325 lb-ft

In comparison with rivals, the MDX is of the least powered vehicle in the segment. The Audi Q7 with its 333 hp engine is the most powerful car amongst its rivals with the BMW X6 taking the second spot with 300 hp.

Acceleration

The acceleration which the car displays when the pedal is further pushed down to the end is commendable. Although crossovers rarely display sportiness in their character the MDX is a breath of fresh air with its spirited off the line performance. The SUV completes a 0-60 mph spring in under 6.2 seconds.

Models	Acura MDX	Infiniti QX60	BMW X6 sDrive35i	Audi Q7
0-60 MPH	6.2 sec	7.1	6.0 sec	5.7 sec
Quarter mile	14.7 sec	15.5	14.4 sec	14.3 sec
Engine	3.5L	3.5L	3.0 L	3.0L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	8.0	8.0	8.4	8.4

Amongst the rivals, the most powerful Audi Q7 naturally takes the top spot by completing the sprint in 5.7 seconds while the second spot is taken by the BMW X6 which takes 6 seconds to complete the sprint.

Ride and Handling

The ride and handling are the perhaps the best parts of the Acura MDX SUV. The drive is amazingly sporty for a vehicle its size. The clever torque vectoring system, especially in the AWD trims, does an amazing job by diverting up to 70 percent of the power to rear wheels. The direction shifts are snappy and the overall feel to the steering feels delightfully natural and will go on to please the enthusiast in everyone

Braking

Brakes on the Acura MDX feature a 12.6-inch rotor on the front and a 13.0-inch rotor on the rear. The brake response is immediate courtesy of the accurate and precise brake pedals. The car never feels out of control even during emergency braking.

Model	Acura MDX	Infiniti QX60	BMW X6 sDrive35i	Audi Q7
Brake Front (in.)	12.6	12.6	13.7	14.8
Brake Rear (in.)	13.0	12.1	12.6	13.8
Curb Weight (lbs.)	4,001	4,390	4630	4938
60-0 MPH (ft.)	123	122	NA	117

The Acura MDX is a hefty vehicle but still manages to stop in from 60 mph in about 123 feet. But, it’s the Audi which takes the top spot again with a stopping distance of 117 feet.

Buyers in today's market are more concerned about the fuel economy than ever owing to the rising fuel costs. The Acura MDX is not a particularly frugal SUV but it manages a fair fuel economy of 22 MPG combined.

Model	Acura MDX	Infiniti QX60	BMW X6	Audi Q7
MPG (city)	19	20	18	19
MPG (highway)	27	27	25	25
MPG (combined)	22	22	21	21

In comparison with rivals, the MDX manages to be at par with all the vehicles in the segment.

“The MDX is spacious and versatile for the midsize luxury segment, and though its third row is tight, it's more usable than most. Still, mainstream models such as the mechanically related Honda Pilot are even more practical.” – Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

The Acura MDX SUV offers comfy seating for up to 7 occupants. With a legroom of 41.4 inches in the front, there is enough space to stretch out your legs if the need arises. On the top end variants, the leather draped seats along with ventilation and heating add a whole new dimension to comfort levels on the vehicle. The story continues in the rear end as well with an airy and clutter-free approach.

Model	Acura MDX	Infiniti QX60	BMW X6 sDrive35i	Audi Q7
Passenger capacity	7	7	5	7
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.1/61.1/41.4	40.7/60.3/42.3	38.3/59.9/40.4	38.4/59.5/41.7
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.3/59.1/38.5	38.3/60.4/41.7	37.2/57.0/35.9	38.8/58.5/38.8
Third (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	35.6/54.7/28.1	36.5/57.1/30.8	NA	35.9/49.4/29.2

In comparison, the Infiniti QX60 leads the charge in terms of space with a legroom of 42.3 inches. The 2nd spot is taken up the Audi Q7 at 41.7 inches and the gatekeeper of the segment is the BMW X6 with a legroom of 40.4 inches.

Infotainment

The Acura MDX sports a dual screen setup with one of them mounted to the dashtop and another one inside the center console. There is a huge room for improvement in this department as the entire MMI is infuriatingly downmarket. The response times are something that you’ll just have to live by while the rivals like the Audi Q7 offering a lot more advanced interface.

Some major interior features of the Acura MDX are

• Dashtop screen
• In-dash screen
• Multifunctional steering wheel
• Up to 5 USB ports

“The 2017 MDX is the first production model to sport Acura's new face, a diamond pentagon grille that replaces the former model's snout. It looks stronger and more cohesive. This 3-row luxury SUV's hood, front fenders and "Jewel Eye" headlights have been refreshed, as has the rear bumper. The sporty, dual exhaust outlets now feature a bright exterior finish.” – Kelley Blue Book

Dimensions and Weight

The Acura MDX is a full-size 3-row family SUV with the curb weight tipping the scales at 4001 lbs. It is also one of the lengthier vehicles in the segment with a length of 196.2 inches. To accommodate the three rows, it sports a modest wheelbase of 111.0 inches.

Model	Acura MDX	Infiniti QX60	BMW X6 sDrive35i	Audi Q7
Curb weight (lbs.)	4001	4,390	4630	4938
Length(in)	196.2	200.1	192.0	199.6
Width(in)	77.8	77.2	78.1	77.5
Height(in)	67.4	68.6	66.5	68.5
Ground clearance (in)	5.6	6.5	7.8	9.3
Wheelbase (in)	111.0	114.2	115.5	117.5
Track width (in) F/R	66.3/66.3	65.7/65.7	64.7/67.2	66.1/66.6

Exterior Features

• 20 inch or 18-inch alloy wheels
• Pentagonal grille
• LED DRLs
• LED headlights

 

The Acura MDX suite of safety features are enough to put even the pricier vehicles to shame. There is a comprehensive list of both active and passive safety features to keep the occupants safe. Moreover, the car has been allotted 5-star safety rating in almost all the segments when tested by major crash-testing agencies. Safety and reliability is never going to be a concern for the Acura MDX

• Dual-Stage, Multiple-Threshold Front Airbags (SRS)
• Front Side Airbags Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor
• Driver's Knee Airbag Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control and Motion Adaptive Steering 4-Wheel
• Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
• Brake Assist LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Location and Pressure Indicators
• Theft-Deterrent System

NHTSA Ratings

Overall Rating	5 star
Driver’s	4 star
Overall front	4 star
Overall rollover rating	4 star
Side-pole	5 star
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat	5 star

Infiniti QX60 Vs Acura MDX

The Infiniti QX60 is another fine offering from the Japanese giants. The QX60 is a fine looking car from the outside with sharp body styling and a well-balanced front and rear fascia. The list of safety features might not be as long as the MDX but it still is enough to rank it in the higher spots in the segment.

However, the Infiniti QX60 is not half as fun to drive as the Acura MDX. The steering response is nowhere near what the MDX has to offer and even the chassis sway too much when cornering aggressively.

Acura MDX Vs BMW X6

The BMW X6 sports a look like no other SUV. It is a blend of a sleek looking sedan with a sloping roofline and an SUV. The car is fun to zip around on the tarmac and response fairly well to driver inputs. The interior quality and layout are textbook BMW with expensive looking and soft-touch materials generously spread throughout the cabin.

But, if you’re looking for a family vehicle, the BMW X6 is no match for the Acura MDX. The utility has certainly taken a back seat on the BMW and even the legroom in the rear is not satisfactory for a vehicle its cost.

Acura MDX Vs Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 has been the poster boy for luxury SUVs for a long time and for good reason. The interior quality is probably the best in the segment and the layout is an ergonomic delight as well. Other than that, there is enough tech ladden on the car for it to qualify as a spaceship.

The Audi Q7 is a great vehicle that does the job of an SUV well and can even take a fair bit of off-roading with its 4 wheel drive powertrain. All in all, the Audi seems to be the better vehicle amongst the two.

The Acura MDX is a vehicle that offers a great alternative to all the German SUVs with enough pedigree to dethrone them. The vehicle is charming from both the inside and the outside. Seating for 7 people makes it a great family vehicle and even the utility part is definitely there. All in all, if you’re looking for a mid-size, family SUV, the Acura MDX makes for a compelling choice.