2010 Acura MDX: An Understated, High-Tech, Luxurious SUV

What’s New:

For the 2010 model year, the seven-seater MDX, with its angular styling, receives Acura’s trademark new front grille, revised taillights and polished stainless steel exhaust finishers. And as far as the MDX shoes, look for the SUV to be equipped with new 18-inch diameter 5-spoke aluminum wheels.

Powering every MDX is a more refined engine that teams with an all-new 6-speed automatic transmission for better performance and improved fuel efficiency. Acura’s new 3.7-liter VTEC V-6 in the MDX generates 300-horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, while achieving an increase of 1 mpg in both city and highway driving, according to the EPA.

Inside, the 2010 MDX receives a host of new features and technologies that make it even more luxurious. Topping the list is the expanded use of Milano leather, a new sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, new gauges, easier to understand button placement for center stack functions and available ventilated front seats.

Must Have Goodies:

The 2010 MDX is available in five trim packages: the well-equipped MDX; the MDX with Technology package; the MDX with Technology and Entertainment packages; the MDX with Advance package; and the MDX with Advance and Entertainment packages. In order to get select options, just like with the cable companies, Acura bundles everything into a package. In some cases, one may end up with options or features not necessarily desired.

The vehicle we reviewed was equipped with the MDX's high-end Tech package, the Advance package and the Entertainment system.

The Tech package includes a voice-activated navigation system, a rear-view camera, real-time traffic and weather updates, a 10-speaker surround system, a DVD player, a Radio Data system, Bluetooth connectivity and a tri-zone automatic climate control system (for the front and second-seat passengers.)

The Advanced package was also apart of the equipment included in our MDX. This package includes such features as an active damper system, a blind spot information system, comfortable sport seats with premium leather seats, an adaptive radar-controlled cruise control system, 19-inch shoes (wheels) and auto-leveling Xenon headlights.

And for long drives with the kids, the Entertainment package should be on your list. This package includes a rear roof-mounted DVD 9-inch entertainment system, with a remote control and a set of wireless headsets.

What Rocked:

For any large SUV, the Electronic Blind Spot Monitoring System should be standard equipment on all vehicles just like airbags. This much needed high-tech safety feature kept us from being involved in a number of accidents. In the case of our MDX, a pair of sensors (one on each rear corner of the vehicle) can detect nearby vehicles that may be positioned in the driver's blind spot. And when the MDX's turn signal is on and one is driving  in the direction of a detected blind spot object, an indicator located on the inside A-pillar flashes to catch the driver's attention. Boy, what a great safety feature!

An additional active safety feature included in the available Advance package is the Collision Mitigating Braking System which helps the driver reduce the likelihood of a collision, alerting him/her of a potential collision situation and activating the brakes if the system determines a collision likely is unavoidable.

What We Hated:

With the vehicle being so high-tech, we were shocked to find that the MDX doesn’t include a push-button, keyless starter. 

And, the MDX is only available in an all-wheel drive configuration. A non all-wheel drive vehicle configuration could simultaneously help reduce the MSRP, while increasing the fuel-economy. Also it would be great if Acura offered captain chairs as an option for the second-row. It would make it much easier to get to the third-row

seat

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Any Juice:

The all-wheel drive SUV is equipped with a newly revised 300-horsepower 3.7-liter, 24-valve VTEC 6-cylinder engine. 

The Verdict:

The angular, more conservative design of the luxurious, high-tech MDX is somewhat deceiving, since it doesn’t provide the same stylish flair of the 2010 Cadillac Escalade and the 2011 Infiniti QX56. However, immediately upon entering the cabin a different story is revealed. One will find that the MDX as we noted earlier is available with every conceivable feature one can imagine: from ventilated seats to partial reclining second-row seats to the latest advance safety technology. Just like when the MDX debuted in 2001, it continues to be a trend setter today.

Unlike most luxury SUVs, the step-in height is much lower and the MDX is priced significantly below many of its competitors. In fact, pricing for a base MDX, without the Tech package, Advance package and the Entertainment package, starts at $43,000. However, when the vehicle is equipped with all of the packages noted, the price increases by approximately $11,000 to $54, 615.00.

Competition:

2010 Cadillac Escalade, 2010 GMC Denalli, 2011 Infiniti QX56, Lexus GX 460 and 2010 Lincoln Navigator