Added a 2017 MDX Advance to the Family
08-31-2016, 04:44 PM
#1
Added a 2017 MDX Advance to the Family
It was finally time to move up to a newer vehicle after driving an '08 Odyssey Touring for nearly 8 years. The Odyssey is still a fantastic vehicle and was difficult to let go.
Since this would be my wife's primary vehicle, I left the shopping up to her. She was somewhat surprisingly dead set on the MDX. A quick assessment of the competition:
The dealer had about 10 2016 models left and was dealing big time on them. We were pretty sure we would go with a '16 but thought we might as well check out a '17 out of curiosity.
The 2017 is definitely.. different. I can see how someone in love with the conservative and handsome styling of the '15-'16s would be aghast at the in-your-face grill and chrome galore of the '17s. As another poster pointed out, the new Acura emblem is huge. Like size-of-your-hand huge. But for us, the '17s are badass and make the '16s look plain in comparison.
I think if we were set on just the Technology package that the other smaller differences wouldn't have stood out as much. But the Advance features on the latest model, such as surround view camera, real wood accents, and second row captain's chairs with USB chargers in the middle console were big differentiators for us. Other small 2017-wide changes such as the electronic parking brake and added USB charging ports actually added a lot of value in our minds.
We ended up with a WDP/Parchment combo (like the van) since it's elegant and keeps clean easily.
No complaints about the transmission, buttons or shift behavior. Pressing "D" again into "S" mode delivers plenty of throttle response for a more athletic ride, but let's not kid ourselves it's a largish SUV, not an S2000 or even a sports sedan.
My favorite features:
Kinda Disappointing:
Accessories ordered from Prime Acura are coming in tomorrow! (They're running a good sale that ends today, btw.) The dealer wanted $2K for Advanced running boards, LOL. We also ordered the tri-fold cargo mat, cargo net, and all-season mats.
Since this would be my wife's primary vehicle, I left the shopping up to her. She was somewhat surprisingly dead set on the MDX. A quick assessment of the competition:
- The XC90 is sweet but quickly gets to be $10K+ more for the better engine and packages.
- Audi: I like the Q7 but she thought it was too wagon-like (and maybe it is).
- I suggested the CX-9 but she's still scarred from a Mazda-Ford vehicle she owned in years past.
- I tried to steer her to the Honda Pilot but "it looks like a minivan with regular doors."
The dealer had about 10 2016 models left and was dealing big time on them. We were pretty sure we would go with a '16 but thought we might as well check out a '17 out of curiosity.
The 2017 is definitely.. different. I can see how someone in love with the conservative and handsome styling of the '15-'16s would be aghast at the in-your-face grill and chrome galore of the '17s. As another poster pointed out, the new Acura emblem is huge. Like size-of-your-hand huge. But for us, the '17s are badass and make the '16s look plain in comparison.
I think if we were set on just the Technology package that the other smaller differences wouldn't have stood out as much. But the Advance features on the latest model, such as surround view camera, real wood accents, and second row captain's chairs with USB chargers in the middle console were big differentiators for us. Other small 2017-wide changes such as the electronic parking brake and added USB charging ports actually added a lot of value in our minds.
We ended up with a WDP/Parchment combo (like the van) since it's elegant and keeps clean easily.
No complaints about the transmission, buttons or shift behavior. Pressing "D" again into "S" mode delivers plenty of throttle response for a more athletic ride, but let's not kid ourselves it's a largish SUV, not an S2000 or even a sports sedan.
My favorite features:
- Power folding side mirrors
- Side mirror "puddle" lights
- USB ports galore
- Ventilated seats that suck heat away from your body
Kinda Disappointing:
- Maybe I was spoiled with the van, but there's actually not a lot of storage space for such a large vehicle. It's nearly as wide and just as long as the Odyssey but has a much higher floor with a much lower roofline, so its utility is limited for a large family. For us (a family of 4) it will work out fine by keeping the third row down, but a larger family needing the seats up might have to choose between hauling their kids or groceries at the same time.
- The seats are beautifully crafted but they're not as comfortable as the loaner RDX Tech I drove recently. The RDX's seats feel like sitting on memory foam; the MDX's are more firm. On a side note, I think the '17 RDX is awesome to drive but we occasionally need a third row.
Accessories ordered from Prime Acura are coming in tomorrow! (They're running a good sale that ends today, btw.) The dealer wanted $2K for Advanced running boards, LOL. We also ordered the tri-fold cargo mat, cargo net, and all-season mats.
08-31-2016, 06:31 PM
#3
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (1)
08-31-2016, 09:40 PM
#5
08-31-2016, 10:00 PM
#6
Drifting
Beautiful! I saw a black 2017 MDX the other day and really thought that it looked good. I like the new grille and don't find the Acura emblem to be too large.I think it's a great looking vehicle. Congrats!!!
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09-01-2016, 06:27 AM
#9
Pro
Thanks for posting! Pictures look great. I really like the new grille, compared to the beak. (Though they were finally refining the beak enough, such that it looked good as well.)
By the way, there is really nothing more efficient as a people mover/hauler than a minivan. We went from a 2012 Odyssey to our MDX and it took a little while to get used to the loss of space. Though my wife said she was tired of driving around a bus...
By the way, there is really nothing more efficient as a people mover/hauler than a minivan. We went from a 2012 Odyssey to our MDX and it took a little while to get used to the loss of space. Though my wife said she was tired of driving around a bus...
09-01-2016, 07:40 AM
#10
Have they improved the way navigation and camera response? i owned a 2016 advance and the camera takes some times to come up and the navigation sucks as hell and it a while to come up. I really wish there is an update from Acura because my wife is very close to trading this SUV for an Infinity. Thank you.
09-01-2016, 09:15 AM
#11
Have they improved the way navigation and camera response? i owned a 2016 advance and the camera takes some times to come up and the navigation sucks as hell and it a while to come up. I really wish there is an update from Acura because my wife is very close to trading this SUV for an Infinity. Thank you.
The backup camera comes up within a few seconds after starting the car. Since the '17 Advance has the 360* camera it looks like they were forced to add more horsepower to the computer that powers it.
It's funny how cars now actually have to 'boot up' like any other computer. My TV is the same way: I can't change the inputs for about 30 seconds after powering on the set.
09-01-2016, 10:41 AM
#12
Thanks for the info. Let us know if you ever use the navigation and congrats on your new SUV.
I haven't used the navi yet and don't plan on it any time soon since I usually run Waze from my phone. However, I will admit that the map looked to be only 25% more detailed than the antiquated system on the Odyssey. But anything is an improvement over that generation's navigation - if you searched for "Best Buy" it would list 400+ results with the first one being 400 miles away. Basically we use our phones for around-town routing and only use built-in navigation for road trips.
The backup camera comes up within a few seconds after starting the car. Since the '17 Advance has the 360* camera it looks like they were forced to add more horsepower to the computer that powers it.
It's funny how cars now actually have to 'boot up' like any other computer. My TV is the same way: I can't change the inputs for about 30 seconds after powering on the set.
The backup camera comes up within a few seconds after starting the car. Since the '17 Advance has the 360* camera it looks like they were forced to add more horsepower to the computer that powers it.
It's funny how cars now actually have to 'boot up' like any other computer. My TV is the same way: I can't change the inputs for about 30 seconds after powering on the set.
09-02-2016, 01:53 PM
#15
Oh wow -- The '17 Advance running boards require a much more involved installation than the '14-'16s. Compare this:
2 boards, 12 bolts.
... to this:
2 boards, 3 pairs of brackets, 3 pairs of frame protectors, 30 bolts, and 14 clips.
I'll try to put together a video on the installation this weekend unless one is already posted somewhere. Wish me luck!
2 boards, 12 bolts.
... to this:
2 boards, 3 pairs of brackets, 3 pairs of frame protectors, 30 bolts, and 14 clips.
I'll try to put together a video on the installation this weekend unless one is already posted somewhere. Wish me luck!
09-02-2016, 02:48 PM
#16
Oh wow -- The '17 Advance running boards require a much more involved installation than the '14-'16s. Compare this:
2 boards, 12 bolts.
... to this:
2 boards, 3 pairs of brackets, 3 pairs of frame protectors, 30 bolts, and 14 clips.
I'll try to put together a video on the installation this weekend unless one is already posted somewhere. Wish me luck!
2 boards, 12 bolts.
... to this:
2 boards, 3 pairs of brackets, 3 pairs of frame protectors, 30 bolts, and 14 clips.
I'll try to put together a video on the installation this weekend unless one is already posted somewhere. Wish me luck!
wow, i'm surprised! i installed running boards on 2 MDXs so far, look like 2017 required 10x more time on it.
09-02-2016, 02:59 PM
#18
I think the change is driven by the addition of the chrome-stripped side sill panels on the 17s. The instructions indicate removing them. If all goes well, I may have some factory side sill panels that might work on the earlier models if anyone is interested.
09-04-2016, 10:12 AM
#19
09-15-2016, 01:55 PM
#22
I thought something was up when I opened the box to find all of those parts inside. I was originally wanting to install them after dinner last night but instead I installed the cargo net, which still took a while thanks to having to drill rather large holes through the carpet on either side of the inner wall area.
I think the change is driven by the addition of the chrome-stripped side sill panels on the 17s. The instructions indicate removing them. If all goes well, I may have some factory side sill panels that might work on the earlier models if anyone is interested.
I think the change is driven by the addition of the chrome-stripped side sill panels on the 17s. The instructions indicate removing them. If all goes well, I may have some factory side sill panels that might work on the earlier models if anyone is interested.
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