First Driving Impressions of the 2007 MDX

We received our first three MDXs last week and they've been going through the service department but they're finally ready to drive and sell. I'd like to tell you my initial impressions of our new SUV, and give you firsthand, my thoughts from behind the wheel. I've got some new pictures up as well so please read on!

Exterior Impressions

As you approach the new 2007 Acura MDX from the front, you’re confronted by the most controversial styling aspect of the new car. The New Grill. If you can get past this, it only gets better and better. For the last 10 years, most Acura grills have featured chrome “wings” on either side of the Acura caliper emblem suspended in a black grill opening. The new grill is the same theme but in reverse. You now see black “wings” on a silver opening.

As you move to the flanks, you’ll notice the aggressive bends in the sheet metal on the fenders, and the graceful sculpting on the doors that look like muscles rippling under the skin. The headlights are positioned as far outboard as was possible, and this lends to the bold stance as well. I’m not a fan of the grey lower cladding on the bumper caps, but it does blend well with the colors we have in our initial batch. The tail lights, share a family resemblance to the smaller RDX, but these are now LEDs.

As I mentioned earlier, there will be a number of different versions, MDX, MDX Tech, and MDX Sport (sport includes everything in the Tech). Additionally Tech and Sport allow you to add a Rear Entertainment DVD System.

Interior Impressions

In the rear of the new MDX, you’ll notice that the third row seats now feature a pair of nested headrests that don’t need to be removed when you store the seats. You’ll also notice that the latch to raise and lower the seat is in a more convenient position.

The second row seats display the new 4+3 seating theme. The outboard seats look and feel like the front buckets. They have more substantial side bolsters and in the Entertainment models, heated outboard rear seats. The armrest has hidden, retractable cup holders pulled directly from the RL. There are still small cup holders in the door pockets.

The front two seats continue to be the best seat in the house. Indeed, the new MDX rivals the RL flagship when it comes to electronic convenience features. The seats and mirrors are linked to the remotes, and now with the 4 way power steering column, this also adjusts to each driver. Once seated, you’re greeted with an instrument panel with two prominent pods, and two smaller pods. All the instruments are within easy reach for the driver and passenger.

Our now familiar Bluetooth cellular phone integration is standard, and the audio and a/c controls respond to voice commands. Updated in May, 2007 all Hawaii navigation systems are fully functional and you do get a handy back up camera that aids you whenever you place the car in reverse. All MDXs have tri-zone air conditioning that allows separate settings for the front seat occupants and the rear seats as well.

Safety Features

The new MDX is built on our new Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure that enhances safety for everyone, by helping to absorb and disperse the energy of a frontal impact while directing it around the passenger cabin to preserve the passenger space. It is similar in concept to the design or our IndyCar cockpits that have proven to protect our race car drivers in crashes of 150 mph or more!

There are Xenon projector high intensity discharge (HID) headlights, Daytime running lights, and LED taillights. There are additional turn signals mounted on the rearview mirrors. Naturally, front, side and side curtain airbags are standard, as well as seatbelt pre-tensioners, and new active front head restraints.

There are full compliment of “alphabet soup” safety aids, including: ABS, VSA, EBD, and BA. Anti-lock Braking (ABS) helps you to steer around trouble by preventing the front wheels from locking in a panic stop. Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) helps to keep the car on its intended path by monitoring various sensors to help keep the car from entering a slide. Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) enhances braking efficiency by changing the amount of front to rear brake bias to compensate for various loads. Brake Assist recognizes a panic stop and helps you apply full braking force.

This car is expected to achieve a full 5 star safety rating in all government tests, with the possible exception of resistance to roll over. Due to the higher center of gravity, (compared to the RL for example) however, look for an above average 4 star rating in this test.

Under the MDX

The photo above shows the underside of the MDX Sport package. A few things are worth noting. First, the small actuators that talks to the Active Suspension System. These communicate how much each wheel is moving and how much body lean there is in a corner. The computer uses this data to electromagnetically vary the thickness of the shock absorber fluid to improve the handling while at the same time maintaining ride quality.

The new MDX carries on with Macpherson struts up front and a multi-link rear suspension. The front uses an aluminum lower control arm to reduce unsprung weight for better handling. For lower emissions, there are the close coupled catalytic converters in the exhaust manifold. A pair of pre-mufflers are positioned midway under the car and another pair of mufflers in the rear. The SH-AWD drive system uses a steel driveshaft and not the carbon fiber unit from the RL. The rear clutch pack has a fixed 1.7% overdrive for the outside rear wheel and not planetary gear device like in the RL.

To keep weight down without sacrificing strength, 58% of the steel used is High Strength Steel verses just 13% for the previous MDX. Some unit body areas using this material include the roof arches, floor

cross members, tailgate opening and front rails and body sides. An aluminum hood (like my S2000) saves 15 lbs over the steel hood used in the previous car.

Driving Impressions

I spent a good deal of time behind the wheel driving up and down Tantalus which is a nice twisty road in Honolulu. I know its no “Tail of the Dragon” or Nurburgring Nordschleife (where the MDX suspension calibrations were finalized), but its ten minutes from the store, and lightly traveled. It also has the benefit of overlooking Honolulu, and it provided the setting for the photos you see here.

When you first roll away from a stop, and cross your first pothole or uneven surface, you’ll immediately notice the car feels like it’s carved from one piece and not an assemblage of parts. Acura has improved dynamic rigidity by 20% over the previous generation MDX. This does not mean that the ride is stiff; on the contrary, it is very comfortable. The body motions are well controlled, but there is a feeling of tension, as if the MDX is lion ready to spring into action.

Like a lion, the MDX has all the power you’ll need, but a surprising amount of agility. There is a torque sensing power rack and pinion steering system that varies the amount of assist depending on how much resistance the tires detect. This enables the MDX to have a comfortable feel around town and at thesame time, a feeling of total control at higher speeds. I noticed that the steering ratio is a little slower than the RDX, so this means it takes more input on the wheel to complete a turn. Personally, I’d like the faster ratio from the RDX, but on plus side, there is good feedback in the wheel, and I never noticed the steering assist changing.

Once you pass 3000 RPM, the engine launches the MDX with a ferocious “snarl” that is music to any enthusiasts ears. Straight line acceleration is good, but the MDX comes to life when there are a few bends in the road. The Super Handling All-Wheel Drive claws at the pavement, and easily puts the 300 hp to the ground. Surprisingly, there is very little body roll! It must be the semi-active dampers in the Sport Package that keeps the car so stable. I never felt like I was about to tip over, and I was pushing pretty hard!

As with all our cars with SH-AWD, if you’re off the throttle and coasting (or braking) into the corner, there is understeer. However, if you get your braking done early, and then hit the gas just before the apex, the MDX rounds the corner faster than seems possible. This could be the best handling SUV available today.

The brakes are also up to the task. I know that some of the track testers have managed to induce some fade, but in my street drive, I was unable to heat them up enough to see an change in braking performance. Stops are quick and secure and the pedal effort was just right. You know how you get in some cars for the first time, and find the brakes hard to get used to. They’re either too “touchy” or too “soft” and you find yourself always changing the pedal effort. I felt the MDX brakes were perfect, and I feel much better than the previous generation in feel.

In the urban jungle, there are a lot of SUVs that will fall prey to the MDX. Some will have more power, but will be too thirsty. Some will have room for five, but lack the utility of an extra pair of seats. Some will have better 7 passenger seating but not in such a tidy 190 inch package. Overall, the MDX improves on every aspect of the award winning first generation SUV, while maintaining the traditional Acura virtues of precision craftsmanship and engineering excellence.