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Acura MDX 2007
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Comments
Many drivers want the car to jump off the line without putting their foot to the floor or hearing the engine race. It's probably a cultural thing.
I come from a 1999 CR-V, which was lambasted in the press for being under-powered. A buddy complained about the lack of torque after tooling around town in it.
Next time he was in the car while I was driving, I side-stepped the clutch while he was fiddling with his phone. Sent his noggin right into the headrest then asked if that was enough torque for him.
It's less of an issue with the MDX, but I can see why it happens. Most drivers want "effortless" acceleration. It's something that is valued in both performance and luxury cars. With the MDX, you get good fuel economy, but you have to flog it a bit to get it to move. It's a trade off.
I happen to like the width. First of all, it adds stability. Second, it gives the interior a nice spacious feeling. Third, the cargo area is wide enough to swallow flat stock from the lumber yard, strollers, and furniture.
I think the stylists went a little overboard with the front fender flare, but that's a minor niggle with an otherwise bold and contemporary design.
07 MDX 2.697/1.606/1.071/0.766/0.538
06 MDX 2.69/1.57/1.02/0.73/0.53
07 X5 4.17/2.34/1.52/1.14/0.87/0.69
Just FYI.
As to acceleration being a cultural thing, I can't get with that either. I think it's that people haven't been around enough cars to know what one will do over the other one. It sounds like some people want the butter like acceleration of a 90k Mercedes S class at the price point of 45k.
I tried out all the seats and the only qualms I had was with the 3rd row which definitely is small and fit only for kids or small adults (and I'm only 5'5). It also is hard to get into, you really have to be athletic to squeeze into the small narrow space behind the second row seat. The 3rd row could really use a little more space that a adjustable 2nd row could provide.
I haven't driven the MDX yet so that is my next goal, but this is defintely my next vehicle. Compared to all the other midsized SUV I checked out at the autoshow the refinement, looks, value for the money and possibly performance really gives the MDX the edge.
Here in North America, many expect to get a big push from a half-hearted stab at the accelerator.
Comfort is king in the 2007 Acura MDX, if you’re sitting up front in the lovely leather-lined seats, and on a day with comfortable temperatures and humidity levels because an obvious option for a luxury SUV is missing from the new MDX – cooling fans for the seats. It’s also lacking one-touch down functionality for the rear windows, which is something you can get on an $18,000 Volkswagen Jetta.
If you can overlook these two omissions, you’ll be quite happy with the new MDX’s comfort levels. The front seats are wrapped in soft leather with supportive cushions underneath, and the front passenger’s seat is adjustable for height which goes a long way toward making long road trips enjoyable. Adults riding in the second-row seat might feel a bit snug if they’re tall, in part due to a lack of leg space but also because the outboard positions get more bolstering than normal. The result is rear passengers that won’t get tossed around as much during a spirited drive. Don’t forget that the rear seats are also heated when the Entertainment Package is ordered, increasing comfort on a colder day.
Acura deflects criticism about the space in the MDX’s third-row by saying it’s designed for children up to age 12, but will accommodate adults for short trips. Nevertheless, I crawled in, all 235 pounds and six feet of me. Once I got situated, my legs were flush against the second-row seatbacks but there was a little bit of toe space available, head room was decent, and the seat itself offers a modicum of support. Entry and exit were pretty easy, too, and I even spent three high-speed laps around a race track riding in the way back. Under these conditions, the active suspension’s ability to control pitch, dive, and squat – coupled with a smooth driver – made a motion sickness bag during high speed handling unnecessary.
[from auto site]....
Ironically, that alone could be a deal-breaker for me. I think it's almost the same width as a full-size Sequoia (the truck, not the tree)! Maybe it has something to do with the small, narrow parking spaces in many of the parking lots and parkades in my town, but wide vehicles are a pain to park around here. You almost always have to back it in. :mad:
Pros:
- Nice looking interior and exterior (modern looking)
- Handles well / agile
- Great Brakes
- Comfortable seats
- Quiet ride / cruises at 85 - 90 mph with no problems (very stable)
- High quality engine sound
Cons:
- Size (interior space seems smaller than the last model). Good width but a little short and low. Overall just looks/feels small.
- Roof line is a little too low - especially in the back
- When the MDX is pushed hard into turns you can still feel it is a front wheel drive biased vehicle (front plows slightly)
- Engine could use some more lower end punch
- I could not feel the difference in the sport vs comfort suspension settings (handles turns well but doesn't like rough pavement)
- The non-sport version wheels look wimpy in comparison to the sport
- Over priced
Summary
- Nice vehicle but not worth $47k. I think it is worth $40 - 42K tops (for a fully loaded version). I don't think they will sell as well as the previous generation due to the pricing strategy.
- Unless the price comes down soon (serious discounting just like the RL), I'll probably end up purchasing something else.
PS- Any one aware of the invoice prices??
Invoice prices aren't up yet here, but stay tuned.
Handling is great in turns and has been very easy to park. Acceleration on interstate on-ramps is very good; but for me did take a few times to judge right amount of foot pressure. Easily travels at 80 mph on interstate. Technology package is very good...bluetooth phone and navigation are very easy to use and for the most part are menu driven (manual and voice activation). Satellite radio has been a favorite. Another feature that has not been discussed very much is the climate control system. I have found it to be very good...has alot of options for all passengers.
Overall have been very pleased with purchase. Will say that if folks are looking to carry over four people would look at other SUV's. Part two of review will cover RES and Sport driving (mountain roads in NC).
Still, for my purposes, I'd take the stability and safety that comes with it over issues like those.
I thought you paid $43,495 the first day the car was out which is the full MSRP. What would sticker have been and will this change over time?
Given that I got $10k+ off on a new 911 in 2005 that still has an Edmunds "TMV" of full MSRP, I would be hesitant to get caught up in paying anywhere near MSRP for any Acura, unless I really did need the car immediately. Even our limited edition Honda S2000 was purchased for $32k when the Edmunds TMV was $36.8k ($4k over MSRP). I think Edmunds must poll too many California buyers.
The new MDX looks pretty impressive, I hope to drive one when I take my TL 6-speed in for an oil change.
I voted yesterday - can we please (!) turn off all the polling and political ads for another two years now? :P
we'll see. its great not be desperate for the deal because i'll only do it for that price/deal. if they refuse, im fine with not buying and will wait for it to inevitably to come down like the old mdx did or get a better model that may come out later. i have a 2006 mid size suv so while i like the 2007 mdx i wont be desperate for it unless for a great deal. might be better deals in jan but might still be too new.
The first is a gamble and the second a known loss. But with the loss you get a new ride.
I'm with Bodble2 on this one. I'd be concerned that Acura doesn't shift their lease practices fast enough for you. In which case, you're over-paying at both ends of the deal. Better to stick with the devil you know.
To answer your question, yes it does have the third row LATCH system. The latch for the center strap is located behind the seat right next to the latch that opens that small storage compartment.
Hope this helps......(I just purchased one)
Are we talking about where you attach the strap to the "top tether anchor" (which I think you said is there). Or is the question on the lower anchor points (usually in the crack between the seatback and the cushion).
The pre-2007 MDX's only had the top tether anchors in the third row, but did not have the lower anchor points (and the 2nd row only had two pairs). Is this different in the 2007?
Two things, apart from the price, that I didn't love were 1) the steering -- a tad too tight for me, but very smooth; 2)the stereo -- I thought it sounded very flat, and the subwoofer in back had a lot of distortion, even with fiddling. Sound very disappointing for a $45K car. Haven't decided yet...
I have an 06 MDX Touring.
I will say that was I also am less than impressed with the Bose stereo it came with, but it's gotten better over time.
(Only had it since May)
Speaker components need hours of usage before they can reach the best sound potential.
It's hard to go to a dealer, test a stereo on a brand new vehicle and make any real decision... they need time to break in.
I'm not saying the 07 MDX has a fantastic stereo... but I believe that it will certainly sound better with time. Mine has gotten much better since taking delivery.
Good luck with your decision.
We have decided to wait until we can drive a 2007 X5 before we make our final decision
ksso
the rdx looks amazing in pictures, but not as impressive in real. am i the only one?
i'm still not an suv buyer.....
ksso
natenj1971, "Acura MDX Towing" #12, 2 Nov 2006 8:13 am
The Prices Paid Forums are basically for reporting and, yes, that includes leasing. But there are many who want to dig into the nuts and bolts of leasing and that would be a serious distraction to those (majority) interested only in the bottom line.
tidester, host
And again, for Canadian readers, the only two interior choices are black and Bordeaux - no taupe or parchment. And for me, that's a dealer breaker. I've written to Acura, not that will likely make any difference. But I can't understand the product policy committee (or whoever makes these decisions) not to offer a single light color option in Canada when they offer two in the US...and to make one of the two choices a new and untested (and IMO awful) reddy/brown.
Exterior:
The overall design was nice. The side panel were pretty plain and I think that it would improve its appearance if it had a well defined crease or body side moulding. The front grill was nothing to write home about even though some here felt that the grill didn't look that bad. I thought it was too large and I did not like the the chrome drilled-holed plated front nose. It would have looked better if this part was left out. I think the vehicle was just high enough that a running board is needed for those vertically challenged.
Interior:
Awesome fit and finish with excellent materials used. However the design/placement of the interior controls was not so good. I felt that the center stack was a little cluttered even though each section of the center stack was seperated by climate, cd, dvd, nav. The front center divider was a little too wide reducing the amount of thigh room for both the driver/passenger. The placement of the shifter was too close to the driver's thigh it should have been placed near the center of the console. The placement of cup holders with the cheap manual slider compartment should have been place up against the armrest compartment with a spring loaded door. The steering wheel seems a little small in diameter. I guess I am used to European vehicles with a thick steering wheel. Also, too many buttons on the steering wheel on all three sides of the "T".
The second row seats were very comfortable but forget about having an adult sit in the middle seat. The contour of the second row seats produced a hump on the middle seat and the backrest that is not very comfortable.
As for the third row seats, they cannot be opened unless the backrest of the second row seats is un-reclined or tilted forward slightly. I have to say the design of the third row is very nice because the seat cushion rises about six inches as the seat is opend so you are not sitting on the floor. The third row is basically for children. Just make sure that they do not have large feet since the foot space is limited.
The cargo area is very large and nice!
They also have great electronics! I really like the voice interface with all controls.
Performance/handling:
Driving on both local streets and on the freeway, I have to say that the car has a nice ride and comfort along with quietness of the cabin.
The acceleration was adequate and I have also notice like others on this forum that the pickup from stop to the third gear, the car is sluggish and there seems to be no sense of power. With a 300HP engine, one would expect the power. There should be more torque at the lower gears! Handling is good but you do not feel connected to the road.
Bottomline, it drives like a Honda (which I have owned a few). It even performs similar to the RL and that is not too impressive and we all know how the RL did in sales over the last few years.
For the value, you cannot beat it! But don't expect the performance and handling like a BMW, Audi, VW. If you do, you will be disappointed.
I am in the market to buy either a MDX, X5, Q7 and after this test drive, the MDX is off the list. I think my parents (in their late 60's) would like this car alot.
JMHO
They are nearly the same in weight, SH-AWD and gear spread of 5-speed. I won't be surprise that they feel the same in driving dynamics.
The engine is good enough for the task but the MDX needs a 6-speed tranny for better gear ratios. 2.7 is simply too short as the 1st gear. The new X5 starts at 4.0+.