Rear Climate System Works Well - 2014 Acura MDX AWD Long-Term Road Test
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Rear Climate System Works Well - 2014 Acura MDX AWD Long-Term Road Test
The latest sales numbers are in and the Acura MDX is now the best-selling, three-row SUV of all-time. After driving it for nearly a year we're not surprised.
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The MDX HVAC system is all new. Most SUVs use two evaporators and heater cores, front and rear. The MDX has a single front evaporator and heater core partitioned 65% front and 35% rear and a dedicated blower. Honda says this reduces the number of refrigerant lines, cost less weighs less and reduces leakage potential. Honda said the difficult part was figuring out how to angle the 40% larger evaporator to fit and still drain properly. The solution along with the ducting, seals and design are patented by Honda. Honda designed the system and teamed up with Delphi (GM's primary HVAC supplier) to manufacture it. Delphi also provides the variable displacement compressor. The smart climate control module also incorporates automatic control of the heated and cooled seats and rear HVAC. On extremely hot or cold days the climate control module will automatically turn on the front cooled or heated seats and rear HVAC system as needed for comfort. It also receives information from the Nav system to determine the position of the sun relative to the vehicle. The computer determines by time of day and direction of travel if the sun is primarily on one side of the vehicle and compensates automatically using the dual zone adjustments. The system is so much more efficient and environmentally safer that Honda received CAFE credits from the government.
That's slick.
what is that 'hole' below the vents and between the seat heater buttons. Almost looks like some sort of display?
That hole is the display for the rear climate control settings.
This feature is Honda/Acura's GPS solar sensing climate function, and it's been on their GPS equipped cars since at least 2005.
Too bad I use Garmins.
I'm rather surprised this is considered an upgrade and that some SUV's don't even have this? I have the prior gen MDX and it has a similar system. It does help with 2nd row occupants but the 3rd row or cargo area is left to bake in the sun. When hauling our dogs I have to use my Suburban or significantly older Pathfinder that both have vents in the ceiling all the way to the back. I was very disappointed with the HVAC in the MDX as I just thought ceiling vents were the norm for such big vehicles.