TiggaMan909

Here is the deal:

New fully loaded 2014 MDX Advance SH-AWD with all accessories

vs.

Used 2013 Audi 3.0T S-Line Prestige with <6K miles - Includes all options except rear entertainment and B&O sound.

Sale price is comparable so not a factor. In fact, the price of the Audi is negotiable and feel confident I can get it for less then what I would be paying for the 2014 MDX.

Which would you get and why?

Husker4theSpurs

Just for me personally I'd choose the MDX mostly due to liking the size over the significantly longer Audi. I do like the looks of the Audi however.

rhn75

Not sure if you're buying or leasing (sounds like you're buying) but I would also go with the MDX for the following reasons:
1. Q7 has been out there for a long time and is getting redesign soon. If you're going to own the vehicle for a while you're better off going with the fresh design of the MDX
2. Fuel economy, not sure how much you drive but I log ~100 miles each day and that could add up to a lot of $$ every month
3. Reliability, Audi makes great cars but you are almost guaranteed to make more trips to the dealership than with the MDX
4. Resale value - given the age of the current Q7 it will likely depreciate a lot faster than the MDC

They're both nice cars so you can't go wrong with either one. I hear they are going to put the Q7 on a major diet with the new redesign. It currently tips the scale at close to 5000 lbs

TiggaMan909

My brain and my wallet say MDX, but the car enthusiast in me says Audi.... Really tough call especially considering the purchase price will roughly be the same.

TiggaMan909

Right now, I'm leaning towards the Audi as the MDX is a first model year car and I know there will be a number of bugs, issues and recalls to work through. I'd be more comfortable if the MDX were in its mid-cycle refresh. Where as the 2013 Q7 is sun-setting with a new model refresh due in 2015. I'm hoping they worked out most of the bugs by now. Still not convinced though....

TyroneBiggums

I actually prefer to buy cars right at the start of the redesign, because they look newer for a longer period of time.

OhioMDXer

The general notion that first model year cars tend to have a lot of problems is actually not statistically supported. Refer to this article for more information.

If I were you, I would still go for the new MDX (actually I did!). The current Audi Q7 weighs 5412 lbs. The new MDX only weighs 4332 lbs (Advance/Ent package). Just imagine the implications of this huge weight difference (1000+ lbs) in handling and fuel economy. I actually considered both before getting the new MDX. But don't take my word for it. Test drive both and see (and feel) for yourself.

dzionny_dzionassi

When i was looking to buy SUV back in 2012 i test drove brand new Audi q7 just for fun ( I will never ever buy German car again ) wanted to compare. It felt slower, and handling much worse than my current 2012 mdx. So what happened to 2014 Mdx it handles and accelerates worse than audi?

Edward'TLS

Just make sure you also buy extended warranty for the Audi, if planning to keep the car for long.

Husker4theSpurs

If I were going to buy the Q7 it would be for the Diesel engine option.

OhioMDXer

I agree. It was the Q7 TDI that I cross-shopped with the new MDX. If you really want the Q&, better wait for the 2015 version which should come out sometime next year. Reports say that it's around 800 lbs lighter than the current Q7.

TiggaMan909

Appreciate the feedback guys and believe me, its resonating. As much as i'd like to consider the 2015 Q, it isn't an option as its out of my time-frame, not to mention probably out of my price range. The only reason i even cross shopped the Q is because of the price points on used/low mile models.

The Q7 I was looking at actually sold yesterday, but there are other deals out there. I just wasn't aware that you could get a very nicely equipped (used) s-line for that price. Last thing anyone wants is buyers remorse so have to consider all the options.

Husker4theSpurs

I like how the Q7 looks but it's a bit too long and doesn't handle as well as the MDX from comparison videos I've seen online. The info screen for the navigation is a bit on the small side as well. The diesel gets really solid fuel economy and was very quiet IMHO.

Before checking out the Acura MDX we were dead sold on the upcoming Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel but it has been pushed back many times and we grew tired of the wait and also came to realize we didn't need the truck like capabilities of the Jeep after driving the Acura and Jeep back to back. My wife turned to me and said shortly after driving the Jeep after the Acura "why would anyone get this over the Acura?" I shouldn't have been shocked at how much better the Acura drove but the difference was amazing and the two are really apples to oranges. The Jeep was SO heavy and that was without the added weight of the diesel at that point. The Jeep diesel is supposed a bit less quiet as well. Reports on problems in the 2014s on message boards pushed us from the Jeep as well.

We also looked hard at the Infiniti JX and she really liked it but I didn't care for it as much drive/ride wise. The tech was better than the MDX however and was much more intuitive. We thought about waiting for the hybrid Infiniti but decided to go with the MDX. She felt it was maybe a bit plain (we test drove the Silver Moon base model) but I think with all the accessories and the like she will like the Acura. She said she didn't care so I made the executive decision. we probably split driving our cars so it works out.

kevTL888

MDX no question, not even close imo. the current Q7's design was dating back to 2006, it's due to have a total redesign.

TiggaMan909

In all fairness, the outgoing Q still looks pretty damn good in my opinion, especially the S-line. I was expecting a "total" redesign of the MDX - but it didn't really turn out that way. I took my wife to the dealership earlier this week and she couldn't even tell it apart from 2013.

Besides looks though, I think long term cost of ownership is ultimately going to sway my decision. The MDX is the clear winner there.

TarJacket

I looked at both and chose the MDX. The ride in the Q7 & MDX were similar enough in my mind for me to favor the MDX for fuel economy reasons and the fact that the Audi dealership is almost 30 miles away compared to 10 miles for the Acura. I have experienced some major problems with my MDX, but I have owned Audis and Acuras and the Acuras have had less issues over time.

ichi d

Get the Q7 and do a ECU flash. APR stage 1 and You won't regret it.

Edward'TLS

^^^^^

Which engine Q7, and what will the ECU reflash do ?

ichi d

Its for the 3.0T. And the reflash will give u more hp n tq.

quartzinterior

I have never been in the audi q7...but you are on acurazine, not audizine. lol. I believe the opinions will most likely be biased towards the mdx on this forum.
I myself have an 08 tl which I intend to keep until it dies. The redesigned mdx will give the same mpg as my tl and it's an SUV. That is impressive. I haven't personally driven the Audi Q7. I enjoyed driving x5 and x3 bmw's and german cars definitely have a different feel than japanese cars. But Acura is known for giving you the most bag for your buck and this mdx is truly awesome and I am strongly considering getting it as a second vehicle for road trips mainly. Obviously I can't give you a completely objective recommendation since I haven't driven the q7, but in terms of reliability of acura vs audi, Acura is the winner. MDX is redesigned and the q7 is due for one and the new model will come out in a years time. Gas mileage is better in the MDX as well. But if you're shelling out 40k+ cash the mpg difference doesn't make that big of a difference in terms of cash relatively speaking unless you drive a lot and will be driving a lot for many many years. Go and test drive both cars see if you like both cars. What is most important is that you really like the car because if you're buying you will be keeping it for a long time. Good luck to you. If you wait a few months you will be able to get some crazy deals on the 2013 mdx models as well. You may even find a few 2012's if you look hard enough. But that's the older design.
I'm debating between a 2012-2013 mdx and a 2014 mdx myself. Yes the 2014 is nicer and improved and gives better mpg, but is it worth 10K more?

JM2010 SH-AWD

To the OP's original question, it all depends on how much you like to visit your dealer's service department. A few years ago, the Q7 was rated the most trouble-prone luxury model. If you don't care about that, pick the one you like the most.

Edward'TLS

^^^^^

Having owned a B5 A4 and a C6 A6 previously, I fully understood the hassle.

Even I deliberately purchased the longest available extended warranty (zero deductible per visit of course) for the cars, but the frequent repair trips to the dealership were very tiring indeed.

Not to mention the extreme inconvenience when the check engine light came on when I needed to use the car the most.

Highly not recommended having an Audi as the only car in the garage.

TiggaMan909

Hey everyone, just thought I'd give ya'll an update. After weeks of deliberating and a number of test drives I ended up taking delivery on a brand new 2014 Q7 S-Line Prestige.

I have to say the MDX is a fine vehicle and I had a very tough time with this decision. Ultimately i sided with the Audi because it was, in my opinion, the best car i could get that was within my budget. Again, I have nothing negative to say about the MDX, but the build quality, attention to detail and the just the feeling i got sitting behind the wheel won me over. Zero regrets.

Anyways, here is a quick pic of the new ride:

d1sturb3d119

iTrader: (1)

Congrats. Take this from a detailer though. Get rid of it after 6 or 7 years. The quality of plastics are crap and comes apart.

ichi d

Great pick up. I still think the Q7 looks better then the all new MDX. Did u get a TDI or 3.0T?

Edward'TLS

TiggaMan909, congrats on your purchase.

I must admit that the Audi interior is extremely well laid out.

But if you're planning to keep the Audi for longer than 4 years (Audi basic factory warranty), be sure to buy extended warranty for it.

TiggaMan909

Thanks man, I'm loving it so far. I did not get the TDI as the dealer wanted an extra 5K and was not willing to budge on price. I know it makes the most sense for gas mileage, but this vehicle is really our "family hauler" which we plan on primarily using on the weekends and road trips. This is not my daily driver.

Part of the reason why i did not get the TDI was because i got the extended warranty. Just trying to stay within my budget.

ichi d

That 3.0T supercharged engine is a beast! Once your out of warranty chip it out for more Hp and tq.

db22

Yes, that will really help its already dubious reliability!