You can drive on the road, or, if you’re in the 2007 Acura MDX, you can assault it and have a lot more fun. Acura’s redesigned SUV offers hip styling, inspiring performance and enviable versatility.
WHAT CAR AND DRIVER SAYS: “The new MDX comes with a handsome new interior that features what Acura calls four-plus-three seating, which is simply a second row that converts to, and favors, two occupants, but will seat three if necessary, plus occasional third-row use for two. If we have any reservations about this new MDX, it’s that the current model’s large female following may not be enamored of the MDX’s aggressive new look.”
WHAT’S SPECIAL: Acura went out of its way to make sure the new MDX has strong performance qualities. The 3.7-liter V-6 engine is mighty powerful, capable of 300 horsepower and 275 pounds-feet of torque. To go along with that, the five-speed automatic transmission is silky smooth.
WHAT WE LIKE: You don’t want to judge a vehicle on looks alone, but if you did, this one would rate pretty high. The MDX cuts an athletic exterior figure, and its interior is classy without being over-the-top in fanciness. Interior controls are well-placed.
WHAT ISN’T THERE: This probably isn’t a vehicle you would do serious off-roading in. But, if you’re just looking to tackle a little rough terrain, the Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system should be plenty adequate.
YOU OUGHTA KNOW: Acura expanded the wheelbase, added new suspension geometry and tested the new MDX on the Nurburgring racetracks of Germany, as it sought to obtain maximum performance. The automatic transmission has a sequential SportShift mode that allows the driver to do the shifting when the mood strikes to appreciate the performance aspects.
EXTRAS: Acura has included plenty of standard electronic features, such as tri-zone automatic climate control, multi-information display and a wireless phone interface. But if you want a little more, you can choose from three option packages. The technology package has a dynamite sound system; the entertainment package has a flip-down screen for DVDs; and the sport package has alloy wheels.
AND ANOTHER THING: The MDX is a nice big brother to the RDX, a smaller, less expensive SUV that Acura introduced this year.
– – –
2007 Acura MDX
Body style: SUV
Trim lines: Technology, entertainment and sport packages
Price: From about $39,995 to about $48,200
Drive: all-wheel
Seating: two in front, three in middle, two in rear
Engine: 3.7-liter V-6
Transmission: five-speed automatic
Mileage: 17 mpg. city, 22 mpg. highway
