Kirstie, I went to the help link and there doesn't seem to be any information on the new redesigned Acura MDX and when it will be released. Am I in the right place?
No - sorry I wasn't clear. The "help" link will allow you to select the "contact us" tab. There, you can ask a question regarding whether the redesigned MDX will be an '07 or '08 model year, and it will go straight to our Future Vehicles team. There seems to be a discrepancy between what we've got listed in the FV section and what's being reported at the auto shows.
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I see that Acura and Lincoln are coming out with similar, crossover, 5 passenger vehicles. The Lincoln has the new 6-speed auto trans and the new 3.5 dohc engine. The Acura seems very similar in price and size but it has a 5-speed and four cylinder. OTOH, I'd bet the Acura will be more reliable out of the gate.
Any thoughts on this comparison? What am I not seeing?
You're thinking of the Acura RDX, which is a 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder. The new MDX will again be a V6, probably a 3.5, although the displacement hasn't been confirmed yet.
Another point on this (take it FWIW): I stopped by the Acura dealer yesterday; they had an Acura-produced brochure with the cover saying "2007 Acura MDX", with the pictures being that of the NY show car. Dealer said availability Octoberish.
Any idea about changes other than appearance. How about gas mileage? Will MDX get cylinder shut-down? Highway road noise in my 02 is terrible. Improve mileage and road noise and I may be in the market. Driving 45,000 miles a year, I will not buy another 20 mpg vehicle again. Will pricing stay in line with current model?
I received a letter today from a manager at Acura Advertising in Torrance, CA. It said, "The MD-X concept is a powerful study of what the next-generation Acura luxury SUV will bring." She then goes on to state the exterior features. She also says that, "The production version of the 2007 Acura MDX will be available this autumn. So be prepared to experience the redefinition of the SUV for yourself at your Acura dealer." This letter assures me that Acura is definitely not referring to the RDX and the new MDX certainly is no secret. In addition to the letter, I got a small brochure with color pictures.
Check out acura.com for outside pics and sign up for info. They say a packet will be sent in 7-10 days. I'm guessing its a teaser and the real brochure will arrive closer to the launch date.
Sorry folks, I should have said something a few weeks back when I got my brochure from the dealer. It's just a few teaser pics that you could find anywhere on the web.
They said that there are no interior pics because the concept vehicle didn't have one.
The brochure only mentions a few options which, in my opinion, the '06 should already have considering the price. (Xenon Headlights, LED Taillights)
Comparing the 06 TL and MDX, I wonder why a lot of the extras were left out of the MDX. (Nav doesn't say who is calling, Dual climate control, Roll down windows from remote)
Right, it is specifically a mini brochure for the concept car, as it says on the cover " '07 Acura MD-X" (with a dash), not the real '07 MDX that is expected this Fall.
In at least one of the inter spy photos you can make out a button on the center console. The pictograph shows the body of the vehicle with what appears to be a rough surface under it. And there's some kind of marking over the wheels.
Under the picto, there's a five or six letter word which cannot be read. It might read "Comfort", "Assist", "Descent", or my personal favorite "Eject".
Anyway, one notion is that Acura has engineered height adjustable suspension. One height for pavement and another for off-road. While this type of set-up is never good for off-road use, it's better than nothing. And it can be effective when driving in unplowed snow.
I like the spy shots of the new MDX. Looks like it will be available around November. My current lease (Volvo XC90) ends in September. If I were to place an order for a 2007 MDX, would the dealer rent me a demo 2006 (or some other loaner-type vehicle) until the new MDX comes in? Any idea what that might cost me?
Probably the same it would cost from Enterprise. Unless you can find a really good weekly deal, I'd consider calling Volvo and asking to extend your lease on a month-to-month basis while you make up your mind.
The spy photos suggest a cornering lamp is combined in the the fog light housing. Can anybody confirm that this is indeed a cornering lamp? Back in 1994 Honda made this option available as a dealer "add on" for the Accord models. It would be nice to see this again on the MDX. Not only adds illumination in the corners but completes the upscale look of the vehicle.
No, it's not basically the same as the '06 model. The engine is rumored to be larger and more powerful. Plus it will have a better AWD system. It will likely have a whole bunch of other upgrades too.
Those exterior cosmetic changes are a big deal for some people. I've never been a big fan of the current design, plus it has been on the road for a long time now. The new design looks like a big improvement, IMO, and is worth the wait if you're willing to pay more.
Dealer wouldn't give me exact pricing but said it would be in line with the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. So my guess, somewhere betweenhigh $40's to high $50's.
If the dealer is being truthful, and Acura increases the price of the '07 MDX significantly, the dealerships will be overwhelmed with MDX inventory. The reality is that with the increase in gas prices, SUV's are falling out of favor.
Acura has learned its lesson with the current RL. They realize that competitors are able to lure customers by having low starting prices, and using options to reach higher levels. This can be seen with the new Acura RDX, which now has a $3500 tech package, with features that were standard on the current Acura TL.
Expect Acura to do the same with the MDX. They will most likely start in the early 40's, maybe $42999, and add a $3500 tech package, bumping it up to $45000-46000. This price will be right in line with the Lexus RX350, which I just took delivery on 2 months ago for around $45k out the door.
We truly wont know until they come out with price tags on the window, but according to the Acura Manager at Auburn, MA... they'll be "significantly" higher in price. I made the argument about how they won't sell.
He said that the new RDX is coming out and will be slightly lower in cost than the current MDX and will be there to entice the current MDX market.
Those shopping for something more will go for the new MDX and will be happy with it's crazy price tag.
We'll have to wait and see.
Personally, I would never pay $50,000+ for an Acura MDX, but that's just me. I feel that my loaded '06 is barely worth the $39,000 price tag I paid.
In the luxury market, I don't believe SUVs are falling out of favor. Most buyers looking to spend $45K+ on a family mover are not overly concerned about a few less MPG. Besides, MDX is usually fairly high on the MPG list compared to similar models, and not much worse than other luxury sedans in that price range.
If the new MDX can prove itself as better than the Escalade/Navigator/GX/GL/Q7/XC90 (and other 7-passenger luxury models), than it will be a big success even at $45K+.
The marketplace reality is that most people care about prestige and the number of cylinders. If I were Acura I wouldn't price the MDX anywhere near the GX.
Body on frame SUVs are falling out of favor. Crossovers are one of the fastest growing segments. Sales of luxury vehicles in general have been climbing, as well.
The fear of rising gas prices has put a damper on sales in the lower half of the market. The upper half does not appear to be taking it seriously.
It's difficult to say without seeing a spec sheet, but I expect the MDX will arrive with a base price around $44,995 plus destination.
There may be two packages offered. (Wild guess) One for comfort (or sport), the other technology. Adding both will bring the price up to $53,995. Then there will be a dealer-installed appearance package.
Acura is promising that the new MDX retains the same utility, yet delivers more for the sporting enthusiast. From the spy pics, this model does look less tall compared with the current vehicle. It's possible the roofline has been lowered, however, there is a good deal of speculation about Acura offering height-adjustable suspension. The low appearance in the spy photos may be the result of it being set in "low-mode".
Darn...if you're correct on pricing, then the MDX is off my short-list. Adding nearly $9k to the base price is a little too much to swallow, unless the base '07 has much more to offer than the base '06.
I'm looking to spend about $40k, which in the '06 could have put me into a nicely furnished MDX. If 40k doesn't even get me into a base MDX for '07, then I guess that sucks for me, but at that price range the MDX would have to be something incredible for me to throw money at.
Looks like my price range will focus on a loaded Mazda CX-9, or maybe the new GM Acadia/Buick Enclave crossovers.
Then again, maybe you're wrong on pricing and I'll still be able to get my MDX ;-)
The "impression" people are getting from the Acura design team is that this MDX has been designed to move a little higher up on the food chain.
The current MDX has been a huge success because it offers plenty of utility, solid performance, and just enough luxury content to make it seem quite nice to the average Joe. However, vehicles from Lexus, BMW, Volvo, Cadillac, and others have bested the MDX in either performance or luxury. Acura wants to fix that.
So, the new MDX is supposed to be sportier and more luxurious. But, at the same time, Acura is promising that the new vehicle will not lose its utility and become a pip squeak like the X5.
More luxury + more performance + same utility = higher cost
There's no way of getting around that.
Also, with Acura adding the RDX to the lower price bracket, they have the freedom to move the MDX a bit further up in price.
I think Acura will burn quite a few repeat buyers. But the profit margins on a 45-50K vehicle are higher than those on a 35-40K vehicle. So, Acura can sell fewer copies and still make the same profit. The question is whether the price hike will burn too many buyers.
Good point. If they are targeting the European luxury SUV's, it makes sense to add more "sportiness" and luxury, while still undercutting them a bit on price. But they do have to be careful on price: if it's too high some people might just get themselves into a slightly smaller European crossover.
I still can't see myself ever paying $50k for a SUV. I guess I lean more toward the utility side than the luxury side...oh well.
Comments
I went to the help link and there doesn't seem to be any information on the new redesigned Acura MDX and when it will be released. Am I in the right place?
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Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
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Review your vehicle
Any thoughts on this comparison? What am I not seeing?
Jay
Bob
Many people looking at an RDX or MDX would never even consider a Lincoln. It may not be totally rational, but I think it is true.
I will not buy a BLIND MDX..It looks silly.There must be a better design idea.......
..
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It's just a few teaser pics that you could find anywhere on the web.
They said that there are no interior pics because the concept vehicle didn't have one.
The brochure only mentions a few options which, in my opinion, the '06 should already have considering the price.
(Xenon Headlights, LED Taillights)
Comparing the 06 TL and MDX, I wonder why a lot of the extras were left out of the MDX.
(Nav doesn't say who is calling, Dual climate control, Roll down windows from remote)
Oh well.
Anyway, someone posted a scanned pic from the brochure here:
http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=323481#post323481
It is also discussed a bunch here:
http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=faf19b211c0a3139c44085ad26c38dd5- &threadid=24523&highlight=brochure
http://autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=7845&categoryId=12
http://autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=7846&categoryId=12
http://autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=7847&categoryId=12
http://autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=7844&categoryId=
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-image?image=576574/07mdx_bp01.jpg
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=576574
Under the picto, there's a five or six letter word which cannot be read. It might read "Comfort", "Assist", "Descent", or my personal favorite "Eject".
Anyway, one notion is that Acura has engineered height adjustable suspension. One height for pavement and another for off-road. While this type of set-up is never good for off-road use, it's better than nothing. And it can be effective when driving in unplowed snow.
We'll have to wait and see.
Isn't it basically the same car as the '06??
..and,I believe,at a much higher price than the available '06s.
Ray
Bob
Does anyone have information about '07 pricing?
Ray
So my guess, somewhere betweenhigh $40's to high $50's.
Expect Acura to do the same with the MDX. They will most likely start in the early 40's, maybe $42999, and add a $3500 tech package, bumping it up to $45000-46000. This price will be right in line with the Lexus RX350, which I just took delivery on 2 months ago for around $45k out the door.
I made the argument about how they won't sell.
He said that the new RDX is coming out and will be slightly lower in cost than the current MDX and will be there to entice the current MDX market.
Those shopping for something more will go for the new MDX and will be happy with it's crazy price tag.
We'll have to wait and see.
Personally, I would never pay $50,000+ for an Acura MDX, but that's just me.
I feel that my loaded '06 is barely worth the $39,000 price tag I paid.
If the new MDX can prove itself as better than the Escalade/Navigator/GX/GL/Q7/XC90 (and other 7-passenger luxury models), than it will be a big success even at $45K+.
http://www.autospies.com/news/Acura-releases-official-RDX-SUV-pricing-6622/
Base is slightly over $32,000
Nicely equipped, your're looking closer to $37,000
Like we said, close to the pricing of a nice '06 MDX (Slightly lower)
The new MDX, fully euqipped.... $$$$$
The fear of rising gas prices has put a damper on sales in the lower half of the market. The upper half does not appear to be taking it seriously.
There may be two packages offered. (Wild guess) One for comfort (or sport), the other technology. Adding both will bring the price up to $53,995. Then there will be a dealer-installed appearance package.
Acura is promising that the new MDX retains the same utility, yet delivers more for the sporting enthusiast. From the spy pics, this model does look less tall compared with the current vehicle. It's possible the roofline has been lowered, however, there is a good deal of speculation about Acura offering height-adjustable suspension. The low appearance in the spy photos may be the result of it being set in "low-mode".
Trouble with the MDX is that we really don't know how many goodies Acura is going to put into it.
I'm looking to spend about $40k, which in the '06 could have put me into a nicely furnished MDX. If 40k doesn't even get me into a base MDX for '07, then I guess that sucks for me, but at that price range the MDX would have to be something incredible for me to throw money at.
Looks like my price range will focus on a loaded Mazda CX-9, or maybe the new GM Acadia/Buick Enclave crossovers.
Then again, maybe you're wrong on pricing and I'll still be able to get my MDX ;-)
The "impression" people are getting from the Acura design team is that this MDX has been designed to move a little higher up on the food chain.
The current MDX has been a huge success because it offers plenty of utility, solid performance, and just enough luxury content to make it seem quite nice to the average Joe. However, vehicles from Lexus, BMW, Volvo, Cadillac, and others have bested the MDX in either performance or luxury. Acura wants to fix that.
So, the new MDX is supposed to be sportier and more luxurious. But, at the same time, Acura is promising that the new vehicle will not lose its utility and become a pip squeak like the X5.
More luxury + more performance + same utility = higher cost
There's no way of getting around that.
Also, with Acura adding the RDX to the lower price bracket, they have the freedom to move the MDX a bit further up in price.
I think Acura will burn quite a few repeat buyers. But the profit margins on a 45-50K vehicle are higher than those on a 35-40K vehicle. So, Acura can sell fewer copies and still make the same profit. The question is whether the price hike will burn too many buyers.
I still can't see myself ever paying $50k for a SUV. I guess I lean more toward the utility side than the luxury side...oh well.