Acura MDX, 2008: The Weekly Driver
http://www.theweeklydriver.com/articles/594/1/Acura-MDX-2008-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html
By James Raia
Published on 03/12/2008
I’m driving past gas stations in a 2008 Acura MDX, and as comfortable and secure as I am in one of the nicest sport utility vehicles around, I can’t help but think: Why should anyone buy this car?
And as contradictory as it may sound, it’s not a knock on the MDX. After its redesign last year, Acura improved what was already a shining example of the best of the mid-sized SUVs.
I’m driving past gas stations in a 2008 Acura MDX, and as comfortable and secure as I am in one of the nicest sport utility vehicles around, I can’t help but think: Why should anyone buy this car?And as contradictory as it may sound, it’s not a knock on the MDX. After its redesign last year, Acura improved what was already a shining example of the best of the mid-sized SUVs.
I’m driving past gas stations in a 2008 Acura MDX, and as comfortable and secure as I am in one of the nicest sport utility vehicles around, I can’t help but think: Why should anyone buy this car?
And as contradictory as it may sound, it’s not a knock on the MDX. After its redesign last year, Acura improved what was already a shining example of the best of the mid-sized SUVs.
The MDX is a seven-passenger, high performance (really!), SUV. Its exterior and interior designs showcase Acura at its best. And it has a vast selection of efficient standard and optional features, which make stand out among luxury vehicles in its price range.
But with all of its options, my weekly test drive MDX priced out at nearly $49,000. And while I’m driving around in luxury, I’m watching gas prices increase nearly at will toward $4 per gallon.
How does anyone justify the price of the car and its cost of basic operation, particularly considering its best gas mileage average estimate is 20 mpg?
Get past practicality and environmental concerns, however, and the MDX’s popularity is easy to understand. It’s a 3.7-liter, 24-value 300-horsepower beast with a six-cylinder engine, a five-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The transmission also has a manual shift control and its been tested as capable of 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds. And there’s nothing not to like about the vehicle’s performance and equipment comforts.
It’s in a two-rows-of-seats configuration that the MDX is at it best. The front seats and second-row seats are leather and comfortable and spacious. That leaves a spacious cargo area, accessible by the side doors and automatic rear lift opener. It gives the MDX a great combination attraction — a fine- driving SUV that also serves as a practical cargo SUV. Another option is to fold down the second and third rows. Of course, that provides even a larger area, an impressive 83.5 cubic feet.
If needed, of course, the third row of seats conforms via two pull handles. The seats aren’t plush or spacious, but are sufficient for two small passengers.
The mid-size SUV market is competitive, with the MDX seeking a segment share against well-known competitors — Audi Q7, BMW X5, Infiniti FX, Porsche Cayenne and Volvo XC90.
I haven’t driven many of the offerings, but the MDX holds its own against the Volvo and the BMX 5 and it’s severely less costly than many others in its class.
The Acura MDX has a full share of features: 18-inch wheels, Xenon HID headlights, sunroof, power and heated front seats, driver seat memory, tri-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and an audio system with a six-disc CD/MP3 player, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack.
Three optional packages are also available:
The Technology package adds a navigation system with voice recognition and real-time traffic, a surround-sound audio system, a rearview camera, premium leather upholstery and solar-sensing climate control.
The Sport package includes the Technology package features and an Active Damper system sport suspension, special wheels and perforated leather trim.
The Entertainment package, available in conjunction with the Technology or Sport packages, and includes a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, heated second-row seats, a power lift gate and a 115-volt power outlet.
That’s a lot of stuff and it all complements the Acura’s standard equipment.
Still, the price point and gas mileage estimates don’t equate to a purchase made without a good share of consideration.
Safety Features — Dual front, side and head curtain airbags.
Fuel Mileage (Estimates) — 15 mpg (city), 20 mpg (Highway)
Warranty — Bumper-to-Bumper, 4 years/50,000 miles; Powertrain, 6 years/70,000 miles; Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited miles; Roadside assistance, 4 years/50,000 miles.
Price As Driven — $48,665.
Article edited and posted by www.theweekldriver.com.
And as contradictory as it may sound, it’s not a knock on the MDX. After its redesign last year, Acura improved what was already a shining example of the best of the mid-sized SUVs.
The MDX is a seven-passenger, high performance (really!), SUV. Its exterior and interior designs showcase Acura at its best. And it has a vast selection of efficient standard and optional features, which make stand out among luxury vehicles in its price range.
But with all of its options, my weekly test drive MDX priced out at nearly $49,000. And while I’m driving around in luxury, I’m watching gas prices increase nearly at will toward $4 per gallon.
How does anyone justify the price of the car and its cost of basic operation, particularly considering its best gas mileage average estimate is 20 mpg?
Get past practicality and environmental concerns, however, and the MDX’s popularity is easy to understand. It’s a 3.7-liter, 24-value 300-horsepower beast with a six-cylinder engine, a five-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The transmission also has a manual shift control and its been tested as capable of 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds. And there’s nothing not to like about the vehicle’s performance and equipment comforts.
It’s in a two-rows-of-seats configuration that the MDX is at it best. The front seats and second-row seats are leather and comfortable and spacious. That leaves a spacious cargo area, accessible by the side doors and automatic rear lift opener. It gives the MDX a great combination attraction — a fine- driving SUV that also serves as a practical cargo SUV. Another option is to fold down the second and third rows. Of course, that provides even a larger area, an impressive 83.5 cubic feet.
If needed, of course, the third row of seats conforms via two pull handles. The seats aren’t plush or spacious, but are sufficient for two small passengers.
The mid-size SUV market is competitive, with the MDX seeking a segment share against well-known competitors — Audi Q7, BMW X5, Infiniti FX, Porsche Cayenne and Volvo XC90.
I haven’t driven many of the offerings, but the MDX holds its own against the Volvo and the BMX 5 and it’s severely less costly than many others in its class.
The Acura MDX has a full share of features: 18-inch wheels, Xenon HID headlights, sunroof, power and heated front seats, driver seat memory, tri-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and an audio system with a six-disc CD/MP3 player, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack.
Three optional packages are also available:
The Technology package adds a navigation system with voice recognition and real-time traffic, a surround-sound audio system, a rearview camera, premium leather upholstery and solar-sensing climate control.
The Sport package includes the Technology package features and an Active Damper system sport suspension, special wheels and perforated leather trim.
The Entertainment package, available in conjunction with the Technology or Sport packages, and includes a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, heated second-row seats, a power lift gate and a 115-volt power outlet.
That’s a lot of stuff and it all complements the Acura’s standard equipment.
Still, the price point and gas mileage estimates don’t equate to a purchase made without a good share of consideration.
Safety Features — Dual front, side and head curtain airbags.
Fuel Mileage (Estimates) — 15 mpg (city), 20 mpg (Highway)
Warranty — Bumper-to-Bumper, 4 years/50,000 miles; Powertrain, 6 years/70,000 miles; Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited miles; Roadside assistance, 4 years/50,000 miles.
Price As Driven — $48,665.
Article edited and posted by www.theweekldriver.com.