2010 Acura MDX Review

The sporty, luxurious MDX, which has been called both an SUV and crossover vehicle, long has been a popular model from Honda's upscale Acura division. It has combined roominess and comfort with solid performance.

Acura doesn't rest on its laurels, so the 2010 all-wheel-drive, seven-passenger MDX has numerous improvements.

For openers, the mid-size MDX has a new front fascia with a bold, heavily chromed new grille some may feel is overdone, revised hood, new side sills and trim pieces, new rear fascia with revised taillights and available 19-inch 7-spoke aluminum alloy wheels. Prominent dual exhaust outlets help give the more aggressively styled new MDX a sporty look.

The interior has expanded use of Milano leather, new thicker sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, new LED gauges for a quicker read, easier-to-understand control button placement (although some still are too small) and available ventilated front seats. Interior trim materials have an improved look and feel.

A bunch of new interior technology items include a new navigation screen and new rearview camera, upgraded rear entertainment system, updated audio system and more LED lighting.

For added safety, there's a new blind spot information system and adaptive cruise control.

Standard is Acura's advanced all-wheel-drive system. It distributes the optimum amount of power between front and rear axles-and also between the left- and right-rear wheels. That enhances handling precision and ultimate cornering ability.The system works with a vehicle stability assist system with traction control to provide enhanced power delivery and driver control on- or off-road and on dry or slippery roads.

The base MDX starts at $42,230 and is appropriately equipped with comfort, convenience and safety equipment, including a leather-trimmed interior, power mooonroof and tri-zone climate control system.

New standard items include a power tailgate, steering wheel paddle shifters, LED backlit instrumentation, hill-start-assist feature and 8-speaker premium sound system with an in-dash 6-disc CD changer.

Four option packages raise the price of the top-line version to $53,755. New is an Advance Package.l It contains a revised active damper system that provides driver-selectable comfort or sport settings and larger 19-inch wheels and tires to enhance handling, while retaining a quiet and controlled ride. For most, this package probably isn't needed.

Ride and handling are very good for a 4,550-pound vehicle, thanks partly to a nicely engineered all-independent suspension. Agility is enhanced for 2010 by a revised power steering system that is quick-but a bit heavy-and body rigidity improvements that   result in a quieter interior. The strong anti-lock brakes are controlled by a pedal with a linear action.    

Honda is not a V-8 fan, even when it comes to its Acura division. So the MDX has a 3.7-liter V-6. The lack of a V-8 has hurt Acura vehicles in the past because many felt that premium vehicles should have a V-8. But, with stiffer government fuel economy regulations, it looks as if V-6 engines will replace most V-8s. So the MDX is right in step with the times. Besides, the MDX V-6 provides V-8 performance.

The MDX V-6 kicks out 300 horsepower. High-speed passing and quick merging are a breeze, and the engine is smooth and doesn't sound strained under hard acceleration.

Based on the previous MDX V-6, the newly refined and strengthened engine has variable valve timing, revised high-lift camshaft specs and a computer controlled dual-stage induction system for a wider powerband at low- and mid-range operation. The result is better responsiveness, while improving fuel economy by 1 mpg both in the city and on highways.

With all its power and weight, the MDX still is no fuel miser-new economy figures are 16 city and 21 highway. Premium fuel is called for, but the MDX has a 21-gallon fuel tank for a long highway cruising range.

Backing the engine is a new six-speed automatic transmission, which replaces a five-speed automatic. It upshifts smoothly and downshifts crisply. It also responds quickly to manual shifting with the steering wheel paddles, although manual shifting really isn't necessary.

A high step-in may challenge shorter persons, but occupants sit high with a good view of surroundings. Front seats are very supportive, and the large console has a deep storage bin with twin  flip-up covers. All doors have pockets, helping make interior storage good. Front cupholders are conveniently located, but their cover, when opened, partly blocks driver access to the console-mounted shift lever.

There's plenty of room up front, and the second-row seat is roomy and soft enough in the middle to comfortably accommodate a third adult. The middle of the rear seat in many vehicles often is too hard for comfort.

However, the third-row seat is really only for children,. That's just as well because it's rather difficult for even limber adults to enter or leave that seat, despite a second-row passenger-side seat that slides forward for access to it.

Second- and third-row\seats flip forward to greatly increase the cargo area, which is large with the third seat folded out of the way. The cargo opening is low and wide for quick, no-strain loading and unloading. A handy covered floor bin is at the rear of the cargo area.

Significant new features have made the new MDX better than ever and keep it among the top crosssover/SUVs out there.