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.
