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The Acura MDX (Honda MDX in Japan and Australia) is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automaker Acura since the 2001 model year. The MDX is the first crossover SUV to have third-row seating. It is built by Honda of Canada Manufacturing Ltd. in Alliston, Ontario, Canada. It was introduced in late 2000 as a 2001 model, replacing the slow-selling US-only SLX, based on the Isuzu Trooper. In Japan, it filled a gap when the Honda Horizon (also based on the Trooper) was discontinued in 1999. In 2003, the MDX went on sale in Japan. It competes with the Lexus RX, Infiniti FX, BMW X5 (released at the same time as the MDX), Volvo XC90 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class.
On April 11, 2006 during the New York International Auto Show, Acura unveiled the 2007 Acura MD-X Concept, showing to the public an indication about the exterior styling of the upcoming completely redesigned MDX due in October of 2006. The 2007 Acura MDX's body will feature a wider track and a longer wheelbase. However, the third row seats remain small for adults. The redesigned Acura MDX's unit-body will be engineered with Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure which is designed to absorb energy from a collision. Its suspension is tuned at Germany's Nürburgring race track. Its engine is all-new and the most powerful in Acura's lineup. It is a 3.7 liter V6 tuned for 300 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. Premium fuel is recommended. EPA mileage estimates are 17 city, 22 highway. EPA annual greenhouse gas estimate is 9.7 tons on a scale of 2.9 to 14.9. When coupled with the Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system, the upcoming MDX will provide class-leading powertrain and handling performance among its current V6 competitors. Also, the 2007 Acura MDX will finally be equipped with High Intensity Discharge (Xenon) lowbeam headlights.
Three package options will be available: Sport, Tech and Entertainment. The Sport package features active suspension dampers (co-developed by Honda and Delphi) that dynamically improves handling according to road conditions with a button in the center stack to switch to Sport/Comfort modes. This Comfort/Sport mode uses "magneto-rheological" fluid which changes its viscosity when a magnetic field is introduced (usually in milliseconds). The Sport package also includes unique 5-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels. The Tech package includes the Acura/Alpine DVD-based satellite GPS navigation system with AcuraLink satellite communications with real-time traffic reporting (XM NavTraffic), a 410-watt Acura/ELS DTS Surround audio system with XM Satellite Radio and rearview camera. The Entertainment package offers a flip-down 9-inch LCD screen with 2 wireless Dolby Digital headphones and a remote powered liftgate, operated either from the key's remote, inside the car or directly from the lift gate.
All Canadian Acura MDX models, aside from the heated front seats, also get the second-row heated outboard seats as standard equipment as well. A feature unique to Canadian MDX models are two headlight washers, one located below each headlight. In terms of packages, Canadian MDX models get only two: Technology and Elite. The Technology package corresponds essentially to the US model's Technology package while the Elite package is an amalgamation of the US model's Sport and Entertainment packages together. Unfortunately, AcuraLink real-time traffic reporting through XM NavTraffic is unavailable for Canadian MDX models.
This 2nd generation Acura MDX will continue to be manufactured by Honda of Canada Manufacturing Ltd. in Alliston, Ontario, Canada. Furthermore, the 2007 Acura MDX, along with the 2007 Acura RDX, will be among the first Acura vehicles to pass the Acura Quality Line, a special quality control and verification process separate from the other Honda vehicles. The second-generation MDX was released on October 17, 2006. The redesigned MDX overtook the TL as Acura's top seller in the United States. Since the platform created for the 2007 Acura MDX is all-new, most likely the next Honda Pilot, due in the 2009 model year will be based off the same platform. Wikipedia |
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