From a certain angle, the Acura MDX appears to be smiling. For 2010, Acura's flagship SUV has been branded with the company's gleaming new fascia, which gives the MDX a sunny disposition. Acura also has raised the bar on the MDX's drive t rain , electronics and interior amenities. The result is a dreamy, seven-passenger family hauler that has to be one of the quietest SUVs on the road today. Pye Acura salesman Ken Elrod said the MDX seems to attract over-40 professionals with children. "We sell them as soon as they hit the ground," he said.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS: The MDX is so quiet, it's hard to believe there are 300 horses under the hood. During a short test drive on Highway 153, our 2010 MDX tester merged swiftly into traffic without commotion. The 3.6-liter V-6 engine ladles out power through a new-for-2010 6-speed automatic transmission. Shifts are short and almost seamless. The new tranny allows the big MDX to squeeze out 21 miles per gallon on the highway. All-wheeldrive is standard.
FEATURES AND AMENITIES: Luxury SUV buyers want to be wrapped in comfort, and the MDX delivers. Even on a windy day in Chattanooga, the MDX felt as solid as a bullet train gliding along a magnetic rail. The front seats are bolstered perfectly for a middle-age frame. Everywhere the driver touches - the steering wheel, the gear shifter, the switches and dials - there is the tactile delight associated with quality materials. Rich, leather-trimmed seating and wood-grain dash accents add to the luxury.
Our tester included a tech package with a nifty hard drive-based sound system that allows you to load your music CDs once and then leave your discs at home. The navigation system includes a "traffic rerouting" function that lets you create your own freeway detours. The entertainment package includes a rear-seat DVD with motorized screen; heated, second-row seats; and a 115-volt power outlet.
BOTTOM LINE: The new 2010 MDX offers evolutionary improvements to an already polished SUV. While the compact luxury SUV segment continues to gain market share, there's still a solid market for a family-sized sports-ute with polite manners and a winning smile.
TEST DRIVE
TESTED MODEL: 2010 Acura MDX TECH.
ENGINE: 3.7 liter V-6, 300 horsepower.
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic.
STYLE: three-row, seven passenger seating.
FUEL ECONOMY: 21 mpg highway, 16 mpg city.
BASE PRICE: $46,805.
PRICE AS TESTED: $48,615.