2007 Acura MDX Review

There’s a lead time of several years for new vehicles. Automakers thus are locked into offering improved 2007 SUVs despite the recent move away from SUVs to smaller, more economical car-based “crossover” vehicles.

Honda’s upscale Acura division thus is offering its redesigned 2007 seven-passenger MDX, which has fresh styling, lots more power, a more driver-oriented interior and extra features.

The base MDX price is $39,995, or about $3,000 more than the 2006 model. It’s loaded with standard comfort, convenience and safety equipment, including leather upholstery, sunroof, heated front seats (heated rears are optional), wireless cell phone link and, of course, power everything and lots of air bags.

Got more to spend? The MDX can be equipped with Technology, Entertainment and Sport Packages that progressively raise its price to $43,495, $45,595 and $47,795.

The MDX has really good handling for a heavy, mid-size SUV, although it’s larger than the 2001-2006 model it replaces. It’s several inches longer, lower and wider — and feels bulkier.

Helping roadability is new suspension geometry and calibrations, along with Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which is new and standard for the MDX. Working with an anti-skid system, it enhances cornering ability because it distributes the optimum amount of engine torque between front and rear axles and also between left and right rear wheels.

The MDX suspension got development work on Germany’s treacherous Nurburgring race track, as do many domestic and foreign vehicles. (European automakers were using this track to improve handling long before other car producers discovered it.) Acura tested the new MDX against top sporty European SUVs such as the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne.

Steering of this Acura is precise, although somewhat heavy. The ride is supple — especially with the base suspension — and the strong brakes have good pedal feel.

An optional Active Damper System included in the Sport Package helps give the MDX good chassis control in performance driving, while retaining the quiet, comfortable ride desired by drivers of luxury SUVs. Large 18-inch wheels contribute to handling.

Powering the MDX is a 3.7-liter, 300-horsepower V-6, which is the largest in Acura history. It replaces a 3.5-liter, 257-horsepower V-6 with less torque and makes the 2007 model the most powerful 2007 Acura SUV or car. The MDX now can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Honda — and thus Acura — believes in offering two less cylinders in its various engines, compared with rival engines. It says “extra” cylinders add weight, complexity and less fuel economy. However, lack of a V-8 can hurt sales of the MDX in the premium mid-size SUV class, although the new engine provides V-8 performance with V-6 fuel economy.

The MDX can do 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds. Estimated fuel economy is 17 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway, which is decent for a big, powerful SUV that weighs 4,539-4,587 pounds. Premium fuel is recommended.

The only transmission is a five-speed automatic. Acura falls down a bit here because the trend is to six-speed automatics in its vehicle class. The transmission is responsive, except for a slight downshift hesitation, and has an easily used manual shift feature. (Move the transmission lever forward for an upshift and back for a downshift.)

This is a mid-size SUV, so it calls for extra effort to get in and out, although a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel eases driver entry, and all occupants sit high. Front seats are nicely bolstered, backlit gauges are easily read and controls have a precise feel, although audio controls are small. The front console has conveniently located cupholders, with a sliding cover.

The second-row seating area is large, and the passenger side second-row seat slides and tilts forward to facilitate access to the kid-size third-row seat.

The optional DVD rear entertainment system with a 9-inch flip-down color screen in the Entertainment package has dashboard-mounted and remote controls.

The tailgate has no separate-opening glass area, and the cargo floor is rather high, but wide. The cargo area is only moderately large with the third seat in its normal position. But it can be considerably enlarged by flipping the second- and third-row seats forward. A handy, fairly roomy covered in-floor bin is located behind the third-row seat.

This is a high-technology vehicle. For instance, the Technology Package, which has a navigation system with voice recognition, provides a feature that links the MDX’s climate control to GPS to automatically adjust the temperature and fan speed according to the position of the sun.

Acura still lacks the prestige of Lexus, Mercedes-Benz or BMW, but vehicles such as the new MDX should improve its status. 

2007 ACURA MDX 

PRICE: $39,995-$47,795

LIKES: Nicely redesigned. Roomy. Powerful V-6. Sophisticated all-wheel drive.

DISLIKES: A little bulky. High rear load floor opening. Small audio controls