2014 Acura MDX Test Drive - Popular Mechanics 7/9/13 5:09 PM

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2014 Acura MDX Test Drive

By losing weight and gaining miles per gallon, Acura's crossover inches closer to the top of the
class.

By Ben Stewart

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May 31, 2013 3:01 AM TEXT SIZE: A . A.A

On-Sale Date: July

Base Price: $43,185 – 45,185

Competitors: BMW X3, Lexus RX350, Audi Q7,

Infiniti JX35

Powertrains: 3.5-liter V-66, 290 hp, 267 lb-ft; 6-

speed automatic, FWD or AWD

EPA Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 20/28 (FWD),

18/27 (AWD)

What's New: The new MDX might appear to be

a smoother, less muscular version of last year's
model. But behind those potent "Jewel Eye"
headlamps, this is a radically improved
crossover.

Just how important is the new MDX to both Acura

and parent company Honda? For the very first
time, this third-generation Acura MDX is the first
vehicle to come from Honda's entirely new light
truck architecture (a grouping of parts that will be
shared with a future Honda Pilot, Ridgeline, and
probably the Odyssey). That means Large
Project Leader Jim Keller could prioritize the FEATURED VIDEO
chassis of the MDX for the MDX first.

One of the biggest breakthroughs came in

material efficiencies, which led to some serious weight loss. The car is down a whopping 275 pounds
over the 2013 model, and the MDX was already one of the lightest 7-passenger SUVs on the market.
Opt for the new front-drive model and you'll save another 200 pounds. Much of the savings is a result
of increased use the high-strength steels, as well as aluminum (hood) and magnesium (cross car dash
beam). The unibody structure is a full 123 pounds lighter than the old car's.

It is this slim-down that makes up for slightly lower power and torque numbers from the new V-6. The
outgoing MDX's 3.7-liter V6 makes 300 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. The new 3.5-liter V-6, shared with
the RLX puts out 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque in the MDX, and now comes with cylinder deactivation

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2014 Acura MDX Test Drive - Popular Mechanics 7/9/13 5:09 PM

to improve fuel economy. Whether you select front wheel drive or the SH-AWD (largely the same
system as before), the power flows through a six-speed automatic transmission.

Although the MDX is lighter, it's also slightly longer and rides on a wheelbase stretched by 2.8 inches.
That modest growth creates improved legroom for those exiled to the last row. Before, you'd have 28.7
inches to fold your knees into your chest. The 2014 model offers 3 inches more, enough to make that
last row tolerable for real adults (for short trips at least). Cargo room behind that third row expands, too,
up by a cubic foot to 15.8. When folded, the rearmost seats stow completely flat, unlike in the current
MDX.

A more compact and lighter multilink rear suspension replaces the outgoing trailing arm setup to
provide a lower floor inside for third row access. The suspension has fewer connection points to the
frame and the loads are better managed to quell road noise. Up front is a strut suspension with revised
geometry to negate torque steer and a new electronic power steering (EPS) system. In addition to the
SH-AWD's mechanical torque vectoring across the rear axle, the new MDX uses a brake-based system
to help stabilize handling in off-throttle situations too.

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Tech Tidbit: The switch to EPS not only provided a slight fuel economy improvement but also allowed
engineers to tailor the steering effort to the driver's preference. The Integrated Dynamics System offers
three distinct steering effort levels: Comfort, Normal and Sport. Sport mode also boosts the engine note
(through the audio speakers, thanks to the tech developed for the active noise cancelling system used
for cylinder deactivation), sharpens the electronic throttle, and makes the AWD system torque vector
across the rear axle more aggressively. These driving system preferences, along with the normal seat
and mirror position and radio presets, are now saved to individual key fobs. When a family member
takes the car, the fob will set the MDX to his or her unique preferences. All cars should have this level
of personalization.

Driving Character: On the inside, the MDX has the same smart split-screen system as Acura's new
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flagship RLX. That means you get the quick-responding haptic touchscreen in addition to the main big,
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beautiful navigation screen. The design reduces the number of buttons from 41 to just 9. But a
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crossover needs more than fancy screens. The center console is huge, able to swallow a good-sized
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briefcase. And it's covered by a sliding wood cover that's downright chic.
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Yes, the new MDX makes 10 fewer ponies than the old one, but you'll never notice. It feels quicker.
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And the fact that it delivers 6 more mpg on the freeway in a sprightlier package is impressive.
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The outgoing Acura MDX never seemed particularly overweight from behind the wheel. Its handling
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was sharp, its steering was communicative, and its power was ample. This new one, however, makes
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the old one feel like its BMI is in the danger zone. Grab the wheel of the 2014 MDX, bend it through a
set of switchbacks, and feel the weight loss. The Acura is lighter on its feet and planted through the
corners. And yet here is a crossover that delivers near Lexus-like ride quality and quietness. It sucks up
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big bumps better than ever before.
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The old MDX's busy ride is history. This new one is more serene without losing the fun. It's still one of
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the most responsive crossovers on the market. If your drive home includes a run up a rigorous
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mountain road, the Acura MDX should be on your shopping list. All Custom Shield Coating™

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2014 Acura MDX Test Drive - Popular Mechanics 7/9/13 5:09 PM

Favorite Detail: Accessing the third row seats in some crossovers usually requires throwing multiple
levers, and perhaps a few yoga moves too. Not so in the new MDX. Engineers developed a simple
electronic push button that will tumble and slide the seat forward. The button is even illuminated for
night use. And with six inches of total travel, the second seat not only slides forward enough to crawl
back to the third row but also provides enough legroom for a six-footer.

Driver's Grievance: The sheetmetal of the new MDX strikes us as just a smoothed-over version of
the old one. Yes, it's been tuned in the wind tunnel to deliver the better aero performance. But why
does it have to look so bland compared to the muscular, aggressive one it's replacing?

Bottom Line: Although it would take a real comparison test to prove the mettle of the new MDX, our
impression is that this crossover has edged its way close to the head of the class. And unlike many
luxury vehicles, you don't have to buy the top–of-the-line model to get the good stuff. Most of what
you'd want comes on the Tech Package that bumps the sticker to $49,460.

The new MDX also scores the top "Good" in the IIHS's new small overlap test (which mimics hitting an
object with the corner of the car). For as a vehicle primarily intended as a family transportation vessel,
that's comforting.

TAGS: test drives, 2014 cars, 2014 Acura MDX, crossovers, Acura MDX

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2014 Acura MDX Test Drive - Popular Mechanics 7/9/13 5:09 PM

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Post a comment

11 comments Add a comment

Peggy Harris
love it
Reply · 2 · Like · June 12 at 12:52pm

Chris M DiGiacomo
My 2012 MDX tech I don't think I would give up for this. Less horsepower less torque? Is this their
way of getting better fuel economy? I like the headlights but its not drawing me to this MDX. I saw it
in person at the NYC auto show, the lines of the vehicle have been removed I'm not sure I would
purchase this model. I test drove the new X5 and that turbo charged engine puts this to shame.
Always enjoyed the Acura brand but this move might have me going German within the year!!
Reply · 1 · Like · June 18 at 4:48pm

Richard Strong
The X5 looks and performs great but the dependability & price tag is a BIG problem for
me, just saying......why can't the Germans make Japanese dependability for the BIG
money that they ask for most of their cars? Take a look at the Lexus RX 450h in Black,
$10,000 less than the BMW X5 35d and the RX is #1 best buy in this class with a 88 score
on the consumer report 2012 rating book (X5 scored 75).
Reply · 2 · Like · June 20 at 9:17am

Cadillactien Cadillaction · Works at SELF MADE SELF PAID

That would be sad to see, New 2014 MDX performs better than the X5 along with its
2013 previous build and costs a lot less to drive.
Reply · Like · June 22 at 12:30am

Richard Strong
Bland looking.....got to bring back the muscles before I give up my 2008 MDX Tech (85,000 miles
with same brakes & pads)!
Reply · 1 · Like · June 13 at 7:56pm

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