My 05 RL has been in the shop the past two days for a seat belt repair and I was given a 2014 MDX base loaner. Granted I'm comparing a sports sedan to an SUV, but I want my RL back!!! For a nearly 10 year old car with 100k miles, it is so much better than the MDX. I find the interior to be inferior, the steering is vague, lots of body roll, weaker sound system, poor acceleration and it's not that comfortable. For a smaller SUV, i think it's pretty nice, albeit a bit too small, but it doesnt compare at all to the RL, and I think it's way overpriced at $45k. I wonder if the Advance MDX w/sh-awd would be nicer??

 

rlerman when you got back into the RL did it not feel like a tank?

I once considered replacing the RL with the new MDX. I was given one for a loaner when my RL was last in for service. I do like the MDX, but it just felt tinny and so less solid than the RL. I agree with the other points as well. I understand the need for weight savings but that makes me suspicious of long term durability. And the interior made me question wear and tear. I found the door cards very thin and too many flexi pieces of trim.

After I got back into my RL it felt like granite. Granted the vehicles are different machines (sedan vs CUV) but the RL felt much more solid and secure. Close the RLs door and you feel a vault like tightness.

Maybe superficial impressions, but nonetheless they rate high in my vehicle assessments.

 

Lol @ $45k being expensive in 2014. You haven't looked at new car prices in a decade, have you?

The MDX sells in droves. The RL couldn't be given away.

 

The masses are rarely right, follow the lemming off the cliff. The RL is one of the best undiscovered gems out there.

I think you can do a lot better for under 45k. A fairly decked out highlander, for example, can be had for about 35k; and I think it's better than the MDX.

Tampa: yes, the RL feels like a tank, but doesn't drive like one. The handling is very precise, great responsiveness and road feel. MDX left me feeling isolated from the road. I'm not really slamming the MDX, it's very nice, just doesn't carry over from the RL well.

 

I am not dogging the RL. The RL is a fantastic car that went unnoticed. However, I am not buying the MDX is a junker argument. I'm also not buying a $35k Highlander coming close to what the MDX can offer.

Do you have any other options that are a lot better for <$45k?

 

Personally I think that in the line of CUV's the MDX is a pretty good pick, my dad has had an MDX, RDX, and a TL. I would say that the MDX is a CUV version of the TL, not the RL which is a whole other beast so comparing them is really a moot point. That would be like saying "I'm a big fan of my Mac, but the Mastercraft is so much better for towing people" (maybe a little extreme but you get my point).

If you compare the MDX to other CUV's in that range you'll find that it's better than most at that price point.

 

Definitely not saying it's a junker, didn't mean to imply that and thought I said it was nice. I'll stick by my claim that the highlander decked out is as good or better, having driven one extensively. It's certainly better at$10k less. Keep in mind my mdx loaner is a 2014 base, so it's entirely possible the advance 2015 version would be much more impressive. I do like the way the MDX rear seats fold down. The dash area is just not that impressive and road feel was lacking.

I haven't seen or driven other luxury mid size SUVs so can't compare. I'd wonder how the Lexus 350, volvoxc90 and infiniti qx60 compare?

My original point was that my 10 year old 05 rl still blows away the MDX in terms of fit and finish. I don't expect the MDX to perform as well.