2014 Acura MDX
If you have a tough time
understanding Acura's model names, you're not alone, so let's try to
position this all-new 2014 Acura MDX luxury crossover utility vehicle
(CUV). Acura is Honda's luxury brand, but all of its current model names
are three-letter designations ending in X (except for the TL
"near-luxury" sport sedan). Three - the mid-size RDX, larger MDX and
fastback ZDX - are CUVs, the rest are sedans.
But since none of these
model names stands for anything, or makes any sense, they're very
difficult to keep straight. For the purposes of this review, here's what
you should know: At the top of Acura's model line sits the RLX luxury
sedan and this MDX three-row CUV; both all-new and substantially refined
for 2014.
Redesigned Crossover Utility Vehicle
This new MDX is Acura's
third-generation seven-passenger CUV, the first developed from the
ground up on an all-new lighter, stiffer architecture. Its engineers
focused on three core values: new levels of comfort and prestige,
top-level safety and class-leading fuel efficiency. Two inches longer
than the outgoing '13 model on a 2.8-in.-longer wheelbase, the 2014 MDX
is also 1.3 in. narrower and 1.5 in. lower, with a 1.8-in. lower rear
step-in height. The narrower width reduces frontal area for less wind
resistance, the longer wheelbase improves ride and interior room, and
the lower step-in makes it easier to get in and out.
In addition, the lower rear-door entry space
is 4.5-in. wider to improve access to the second-row seats, which boast
five-position reclining seatbacks and nearly six inches of fore-aft
travel to trade off cargo and rear legroom. A new one-button walk-in
feature offers easier operation of those middle-row seats from inside or
outside, and a larger, deeper console can accommodate a purse, a tablet
computer and more.
Powertrain And Chassis
The 2014 Acura MDX is
powered by the same 290-horsepower, 3.5L "Earth Dreams Technology"
aluminum V-6 engine that motivates the new RLX sedan. Acura's first
direct-fuel-injected engine, it also combines for the first time Honda's
i-VTEC (intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control)
valvetrain with two-stage Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), which
deactivates the rear bank of cylinders to save fuel under light-load
conditions. With front-wheel drive it's EPA rated at 20/28 MPG, while
the available Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) offers
best-in-class 18/27 ratings for AWD models - substantially better than
the previous model with standard AWD.
The 2014 MDX drives the
front wheels - or all four with SH-AWD - through a 6-speed Sequential
Sport Shift automatic that lets you change gears manually when you want
to. Vibration-smoothing Active Control engine mounts and Active Noise
Cancellation allow the VCM to operate in three-cylinder mode more often
to maximize efficiency. New strut front and multilink rear suspensions
contribute to both ride comfort and confident handling, and new
Amplitude Reactive Dampers use variable rates to further enhance its
dynamics.
The new Integrated
Dynamics System (IDS) offers Comfort, Normal and Sport modes. Comfort
reduces steering effort, while Sport gives higher effort with a firmer
feel. Sport mode also adjusts throttle response, AWD torque
proportioning and even the Active Noise Control for a more sporty engine
note in the cabin. And new Agile Handling Assist selectively applies
light braking to help turn into corners and feel more planted through
them. Also standard are 4-channel anti-lock brakes and Vehicle Stability
Assist (VSA).
Interior And Features
The first thing you'll
notice about the 2014 MDX interior is premium soft touch materials
throughout its cabin. LED backlit gauges look like high-end watch faces,
and LED lamps provide accent lighting on the console and front foot
wells. Premium leather covers the first and second-row seats,
complimented by a leather-wrapped steering wheel and satin chrome and
simulated wood-grain accents.
A Smart Entry Keyless
Access System is standard, and the available Technology Package adds
Smart Entry access to the rear doors and (manually operated) rear
side-window shades. The Advance and Entertainment Packages add
heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and remote engine
start. Additional standard features include push-button start,
Multi-Angle Rearview Camera, and One-Touch turn signals. Rain-sensing
wipers, front and rear parking sensors and auto-dimming side mirrors are
available in option packages.
The range of available
driver-assist technologies includes an Expanded-View Driver's Mirror, a
Multi-Angle Rearview Camera, Blind Spot Information (BSI), Lane
Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Collision
Mitigation Brake System (CMBS) and Lane Keep Assist (LKAS) and Adaptive
Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow. The comprehensive crash safety
package includes driver- and front-passenger front and side airbags,
three-row side curtain airbags and a new driver's knee airbag.
Audio And Technology
The next-generation
AcuraLink system provides enhanced connectivity via Aha mobile delivered
through an internet-linked smart-phone. AcuraLink and entertainment
systems operate through a new 7-inch color touchscreen with haptic
feedback, which reduces the number of hard buttons on the center stack
to nine from the previous 41. AcuraLink also includes customizable
shortcuts for Places, Phone, Climate and Audio categories. The optional
Technology Package adds Acura's latest navigation system with voice
recognition and an eight-inch, high-resolution backlit color display.
Also available are accident notification, remote unlocking, stolen
vehicle tracking and surface street traffic information.
The standard 432-watt,
eight-speaker audio has a CD player, AM/FM/SiriusXM radio and a USB
connector, plus Pandora internet radio, Bluetooth hands free phone
interface and a text message function that can read incoming texts aloud
and let you reply with factory preset messages. The Technology Package
upgrades to a 501-watt, 10-speaker Acura/ELS Studio system with HD radio
and a 16-gigabyte Hard Disk Drive (HDD), the Entertainment Package adds
a 529-watt amplifier, a ceiling speaker and a rear DVD system, and the
Advance Package ups the ante to 546-watts with 5.1-channel surround
sound and two ceiling speakers.
Driving Impressions
We doubt that many
Japanese makers develop their CUVs on Germany's famous Nürburgring race
track, on high-speed autobahns and in the Austrian Alps - but Acura
does. The result is a fairly athletic MDX that holds its own with German
competitors. Its quicker new Electric Power Steering (EPS) gives good
feel and response; its Sequential Sport Shift automatic has steering
wheel paddles for manual gear changes with Normal and Sport modes; its
IDS settings do make a noticeable difference.
We found the steering
wheel controls intuitive and easy to use, but the interior team may have
overkilled its objective to eliminate knobs and buttons. Most of us
appreciate a knob for manual radio tuning, for example, and it took us a
while to figure out tuning and some other audio functions through the
touchscreen system. The only other negatives were insufficient seat
travel for long-legged drivers, which made us feel a little cramped, and
not all that much cargo room behind the mostly-for-kids third-row
seats, compared to some competitors.
On the other hand, the new
2014 Acura MDX is easily the quietest, best-handling and most luxurious
MDX ever. It deserves a place on the shopping lists of everyone seeking
a luxury CUV.
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