Traded my RL today on an 07 Billet Siver/Taupe MDX Tech/ent. 1st observations after 60 mile drive home. Love the fact that you can play concert dvd's in 5.1. I do not know why the RL won't let you do this you have a dvd drive & surround system already & there is a lot more media available on regular dvd than dvd-a. Head lights blow the RL's away. The center stack on the RL is superior with the nav screen lower & MID display above issuperior you do not have to take your eye off of the rd as much to check the display. Also nav has too much glare in windshield at night.

 

As the owner of both an '06 RL and an '07 MDX, I know you'll enjoy your new ride.

For my own money, though, I wouldn't trade the RL for the MDX ... they're fine as a pair ( ), but I still feel the RL is more civilized and more feature-rich.

In fact, after about 3 months or so of MDX ownership, I've decided I'll probably trade it for the next-gen RL if it's not screwed up (there I go sounding like neuronbob). The new RL's intro should about coincide with the end of the lease on my '06, and I'll just get one to replace the MDX at that time.

My main gripe about the MDX is the key (it's big and clunky, and it springs open in my pocket all the time). If the MDX had the RL's excellent keyless entry/start, it would be a huge improvement.

Be sure to check out the MDX forum at acuramdx.org.

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I don't own the MDX but I've done extensive investigation and test drives. Probably the best xover on the market. Certainly the best value in it's class (as usual for Acura). However, the lack of keyless start, as you pointed out Mike, kept me from buying it. I can't believe Acura does not offer Keyless start and door handles on anything but the RL.

I've decided to just hold onto my 04 Sienna for another 6 months to see what happens with the new Lexus RX and also see if there are any rumors about the 09 MDX. My Sienna has more lux features then the MDX so why trade it in? If Acura doesn't come out with an MMC for the MDX in 09 to include keyless start, electric tail gate standard, and a few other things, then I think they are hopeless.

 

I am holding onto this one until I can get a CPO ML 550 suitably optioned. I loved the ML 500 but could not find one ptionrd the way I wanted. Keyless go is the one glaring deficency on the MDX and I can live without it. Out side of the ML nothing came close to the MDX. SRX with northstar was a great performer but lacked bluetooth. GX 470 was too floaty & there was some question as to how well the lock pick worked at unlocking the nav & bluetooth. Lexus salesmanager thought I was crazy for making my decision based on the electronics. He must never have used duperior tech before and gotten spoiled.
I will take the ability to listen to regular DVDs in 5.1 over the keyless entry as a suitable tradeoff.

 

I never test drove the ML it's not a 7 seater. Also, the sticker and the reliability ratings scared me away. I test drove the X5 though. comparably equipped to the MDX plus the keyless start/access system (they call it comfort access), you were priced at $70k. I lived the X5 but not THAT much.

If you test drove both you should start a thread in Car Talk and share the differences you found between the MDX and ML. I for one would be interested why you thought the ML was a better choice -- all things considered.

 

The 7 spd tranny esp w/an 8 is incredibly smooth power delivery. I prefer no 3rd row seat & doubt we will ever open the one on the MDX. I would also not buy a new ML at around $60k as I would like it optioned however for 40-50k for a cpo I would jump & would sell before thewarranty wore out. Smooth power & ride along wit the right size & options that I like. Have heard rhe navi is quirky & did not play with it, however I only use navi on trips every few months. I am an appraiser & know my area very well so I do not need it every day. I also know my way around Jacksonville & Savannah the 2 larger cities near me. Mainly use it in Orlando & Atlanta. Blutooth & sirius are much more important to me than nav. Only x5's I have driven are 1st gen w/sport which was way too firm of a ride I could deal withit in my e34 m3, but not my family cruiser. To tie this into my RL the reason I am in the MDX is the trunk in the rl was hard to pack & take advantage of all of rhe spae. My 2g GS400 was much easier to pack. 6 yr old girl & wife could fill the RL to the brim for a 4 night trip. So I had to get a cargo hauler that I could live with every day.

 

Congrats! I just picked up a 2008 MDX Sport Ent this week. I love it! It's mainly my wife's drive, but it was absolutely the best choice. The key is a minor annoyance for me. Overall it drives great and I'm glad I got the Sport. I prefer the sport mode even though it's a bit stiff. Body lean is minimal for a vehicle that sits so high.

The only thing I would change is the steering wheel. To thin and flimsy. I'll add the wood look wheel.

Spicey, take the plunge! Compared to the Siena, it's night and day. I drove it to Taste of Lexus this weekend. Lexus really knows how to put on a first class show. Drove every vehicle they had including the LS600h. Took a RX400h hybrid out and dove in a corner a little quick. The front end just caved and the body lean felt like I was going to fall over. The MDX would not do that.

 

If I had to make a decision today it would be to go with the MDX. But, I own the Sienna so I have no ticking clock. I'll just wait and see what surfaces on the RX and any rumors aboutt the 09 MDX. Both should start leaking out after the holidays. I'm thinking they might debut the RX at the Tokyo auto show coming up. If it still looks like the current one then I'd have a hard time buying it. Also, I believe you about the suspension eventhough I haven't driven one yet. Lexus always goes for the soft and cushy ride.

 

Rumor has that next year Lexus will unveil a JX which will be a GS based crossover. It will have my attention if they do make one. RX was too small & GX was too floaty.