thunderbt3

See comments in red

KillerG

well yeah so pretty spot on then. I meant plasticy in the sense that theyd remove the chrome/bling. the tsx rear aero is a plastic insert also

the reflectors I was referring to were the lower bumper reflectors which look to be lighted in the concept

there may be led drl ala accord but we aint getting jewel eye standard

TSX69

They are very interesting, like a bunch of Acura emblems.

jwong77

They reduced the front overhang.

Legend2TL

Looks OK, however not much change from the 2G which considering it's sales is a good safe approach.

Costco

FWIW there's also an Acura apologist brigade, eager to pop in every Acura thread and defend them.

And yes, I know this is an Acura forum. I didn't expect impartiality, but when one side adds fuel to the fire, the other side tries even harder to put it out and vice versa.

Finally, I really like this MDX. More evolutionary than anything, just like the Pilot.

Sarlacc

The people here hating on Acura's current stuff...aren't doing so for no reason other than to hate...we are just wanting Acura to pull their heads out of their ass and figure out what they are doing as an entity.

We want to be excited by their new releases...just like the 1G TSX and the 3G TL.

There is the new NSX...pics didnt and still dont wow me...but I saw it in person and was sold on it.

But one low production halo car doesnt mean anything.

Im just tired of seeing Acura come out with garbage designs when they used to make really nice looking vehicles. Or slapping lipstick on a Civic and calling it a day.

ttribe

This.

Moog-Type-S

This man knows what he is talking about.


...except for the C7 GTR nonsense.


Seriously now, so many brands are producing exciting product from the likes of Kia, Hyundai, Ford, Chrysler, to the upper tier BMW, Audi, Lexus.......but Acura? ......other than a Halo car not due out til 2014, there is nothing exciting or innovative going on for the brand.

That's not hate, it's the truth.

KillerG

we should all as a community be mindful of straying to the extreme on either side. will make this a better place.

everyone for the most part has been pretty fair in this discussion. i do see what you mentioned pretty often though

fwiw i cross shopped a smattering of suvs over christmas break and the rdx was one of the better interiors i got to sit in, the int for this should be pretty great and im glad shawd is sticking round

SSFTSX

MDX is already top of the class for 300bhp SUV with non-DI and non turbo engine performance from 6speed auto on 19inch rims.
No other maker can go so low in aerodynamic drag in one model change.
This is completely different vehicle even though for most people it look the same.

Sarlacc

WOOOOOOOO 16% more aerodynamic!!!!!

The MDX is gonna be a track star!!!!!!

P.S. You're an idiot

HDNBenjamin

I think the MDX Concept looks good and its sale success will continue. Great job Acura!

dom

Why mess with success... Sales should continue to be a bright spot for Acura with this.

Hapa DC5

Do these warp rotors like crazy too?

Fibonacci

Speaking from experience on our '08 Tech, I can vouch that the rotors on teh wifey's MDX are fine. But then again, she's not stomping the go pedal on the 'ring every day.

You'd be hard pressed to find a nicer, well balanced, safer, family hauler than the current gen SH-AWD MDX at its current price point. The next gen looks to continue in that well-established Acura mold for this class.

thunderbt3

I've read on one of the auto show coverage magazine websites that they had a "show floor update" regarding the SH-SHAWD hybrid system. The PR person told the website that there will be no hybrid version of the MDX. I'm sure that will be the case at launch, but not sure if they'll revisit that for MMC. I don't think anyone offers a hybrid SUV in the luxury segment. There are hybrid versions of other SUV's, but I don't think they sell very well. Looking at it from the engineering and sales sides, it makes sense. They already have the SHAWD system that markets itself, sells and performs well. It would pretty much be as easy as copying and pasting to the new generation MDX with tweaks for the new engine and longer chassis. Converting to a FWD drivetrain was probably a cakewalk since they can just base the drivetrain design off the V6 Accord with the ED engine.

Designing a hybrid system would've been a packaging nightmare. They would've had to package the transmission motor, the 2 rear drive motors, and batteries. It would be pretty risky to go the hybrid AWD route when you would have to put a ton of resources designing/testing the system and then hope people would jump on the hybrid SUV bandwagon. Since Honda is pretty conservative, I doubt they would release 3 drivetrain versions. They know what sells best and what the market is like and sticking with what works.

Moog-Type-S

If they are the same ones from the Oddy...that's a big 10-4.

Allen-

I'm excited to see that it isn't getting shafted with regular AWD, but retaining the mechanical SH-AWD.

Regarding a hybrid MDX, not being too sure on compatitability of the SH-SH-SH-SH-SH-SH-SH-AWD drivetrain, but would a conventional 6AT work with the system? I dont see Acura putting the DCT in the MDX due to its size, weight, towing capacity, etc.

Regardless I imagine packaging is the biggest factor. With all the extra batteries and motors taking up space having a bulky on the outside/small on the inside SUV would be a contradiction for any gains it may have in mpg.

But in reality I don't see the 3G MDX making any big leaps in mpg over the 2G. Would 26mpg on the highway be feasible given the new tech?

Fibonacci

I concur, SH-AWD is a good marketing differentiator and I think Acura made a mistake in losing it in the RDX. Granted, it hasn't effected RDX sales so maybe I'm the one being foolish, but it seems to me that if you want to establish difference between your Honda line-up and the Acura lineup, SH-AWD is one of them.

I also think HondAcura should have left LED headlights for Acura, instead of debuting them in an Accord. But this is just silly marketing minutiae, so I'll leave that to the brilliant brand marketers at Honda.


I can't think of another SUV/Crossover that has DCT. It doesn't make sense for the added weight/platform constraints. Even Porsche sticks to an automatic in the Cayenne instead of PDK.


Why don't you wait to see the production version first. Smaller displacement (3.5 vs 3.7), added teh Earth Dreams DI, less drag - it all adds up.

TSX69

phile

Looks really good in that vid with the headlights on.

F23A4

I can't wait to see it in person at the NYIAS later this month.

MuGen7Modulo

In Chicago.

Looks really good. ML & X5 can hide...

fsttyms1

Ill look at it when it comes out. I like the current, just wish it was bigger. This looks bigger.

elessar

Not bad. But am I the only one who sees Geordi LaForge in that pic?

Moog-Type-S

Met the new boss,
Same as the old boss.

Crazy Bimmer

Love it!

Side looks a lot like the FX to me. Not that its a bad thing.

MuGen7Modulo

This Prototype looks huge, even bigger the Enclave.
Pre production versions are always larger.

Hapa DC5

Nice, good to see Acura is using the if it aint broke don't fix it.

phile

it's come a long way.

This original 2nd gen concept looks downright boring by comparison.

F23A4

The 2G concept looked good for it's time as does this 3G. For the most part, I have to commend Honda for not screwing this up. As much as I love my 12 MDX Tech, I'm looking forward to a 15 MDX Tech (or equivalent) when this lease expires.

fsttyms1

I wouldnt go that far.

leedogg

What size rims are those? I want them.

fsttyms1

255/50/20

Belzebutt

Really? If I didn't know any better I'd say the old concept looks more modern than the new one. They softened it up a bit.

csmeance

The 2G concept was okay, there were a few flaws here and there but it is a great car. The 3G MDX seems more of evolution then Revolution as the 2G MDX was coming from the 1G MDX.

The new MDX does seem a bit softer, esp by the way the front end rises up slightly. I wish that the grille was SLIGHLY lower and matched the line of the headlamps to make it a bit more aggressive.

As well I wish there was something a bit "more" with the rear 1/4 esp in the lower section by the rear doors and the rear bumper. Like in this picture, the wheel/tire size and wheel opening seems WAY to large for a car like the MDX, and as well the lines aren't very "edgy" or interesting:



In all honesty I'd still probably buy a new one if it looked like this on the outside. The only deal-breaker for me is the interior. I was VERY disappointed with the RLX on how comfy it would be compared to my 760. I figured Acura would have caught up in the materials or comfort department a bit from the old RL. If there's fake plastic wood in the MDX, I won't even know what to say.

CCColtsicehockey

That looks really good. The only thing Acura has not screwed up at this point.

phile

agree about it appearing softer. the stamped protruding shoulder hunches over the wheel wells, for example, are now streamlined with the body, barely there. The crisp upper body line is gone too, only the lower one remains.

And if you look at the window line of the C pillar, it's missing that top horizontal piece that makes it appear a little more upright. Now it forms a triangle back there vs the 2nd gen, more like the Lexus RX.

Of course this is just a prototype, so maybe it's meant to be squatter, but it also appears the greenhouse and overall profile is lower.

F23A4

The 2G is an entirely different vehicle than the 1G...right down to Acura's re-targeting of the MDX's intended demographic.

The 3G is definitely evolutionary, which is all it needs to be; 'cause Acura can't afford to mess up a good thing again. (read: 3G - 4G TL)