Acura: MDX News
03-27-2013, 05:51 PM
#801
The sizzle in the Steak
@ virtual buttons. Well played, sir.Truth is the industry had moved far away from the cluttered button interiors, and Acura got him to this and made the change as well.
Funny how critics hated iDrive back in the day when it debuted, and now so many carmakers have incorporated their version of iDrive.
Go figure.
03-27-2013, 06:28 PM
#802
I'm not sure how I feel about this one. The rear is basically an RDX. The front is adopting the new Geordi Laforge-look for Acura which isn't too bad, though not a huge improvement over the previous model. The interior looks like a step back from the previous MDX (?), although I'd have to see it in person. One of the biggest improvements I think is the MPG bump.
03-27-2013, 06:32 PM
#803
Senior Moderator
MPG gains are great any way you slice it. I don't see this being anything but another big winner for Acura. Conservative styling and all.
03-27-2013, 06:52 PM
#804
Midnight Marauder
Sort of plain but it does look pretty descent. Glad Acura has been doing better on the styling front sans 4th Gen TL and ZDX.
03-27-2013, 09:55 PM
#805
I'm not sure how I feel about this one. The rear is basically an RDX. The front is adopting the new Geordi Laforge-look for Acura which isn't too bad, though not a huge improvement over the previous model. The interior looks like a step back from the previous MDX (?), although I'd have to see it in person. One of the biggest improvements I think is the MPG bump.
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/co...onal-auto-show
The 2014 MDX also takes a big step up in luxury comfort and quiet. The MDX's dynamically tuned platform, more airtight body and triple path isolated dampers, along with the use of new sound-deadening materials, such as acoustic glass and expanding body sealers, and Active Noise Control technology, make this the quietest and most composed MDX yet.
The 2014 MDX also takes a big step up in luxury comfort and quiet. The MDX's dynamically tuned platform, more airtight body and triple path isolated dampers, along with the use of new sound-deadening materials, such as acoustic glass and expanding body sealers, and Active Noise Control technology, make this the quietest and most composed MDX yet.
03-27-2013, 11:52 PM
#806
Acura playing it safe. 
03-28-2013, 05:08 AM
#807
Senior Moderator
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Crazy Bimmer (03-28-2013)
03-28-2013, 07:23 AM
#808
Safety Car
Cars.com
Acura pulled an infamous Porsche move with its all-new MDX: It doesn't look very different than the outgoing model despite being a significant redesign. Under the skin, it's got an all-new lighter platform and fresh engine. Now riding on a longer-wheelbase chassis, the extra length allowed Acura to squeeze more room from the inside with added dimensions helping 3rd-row passengers.
Accessing the 3rd row only requires the press of a button to automatically slide the 2nd row forward — a standard feature on all MDXs. Stepping into the 3d row is easier with an additional 3 inches of width from the rear-door opening and a drop of 2 inches from the step-in height, but it isn't as painless as in other 3-row SUVs, like the 2014 Toyota Highlander we just checked out. Against luxury SUVs like the Infiniti JX and Audi Q7, the MDX should be even more competitive with the added dimensions.
Once seated in the 3rd row, headroom was tight for my 6-foot frame. Acura added 3rd-row legroom that's most notable when the 2nd row is slid completely rearward; the sliding 2nd row leaves enough room for 3rd-row passenger's legs. Behind the 3rd row, the MDX's cargo area is larger and includes a new under-floor storage space.
Up front, 1 of the most notable changes is the center stack; its number of buttons has been cut from 41 to 9. While we'll reserve final judgment until we're on the road using the system, our initial impressions from the auto-show floor are that the controls are well-thought-out and easy to use despite the severe loss of physical buttons. Like other Acura models, there always seemed to be a confusing array of buttons inside the MDX.
Front occupants also benefit from a massive storage area between the front seats with multiple layers to stash items. There's a coin tray up top, and when lifted, it reveals a deep bin separated by another divider that folds away to show the full storage bin; the latter is capable of fitting a laptop, a pair of iPads or a purse, according to Acura.
The current MDX is no slouch as far as interior quality, and buyers should be happy that the 2014 appears similar to the old version.
03-28-2013, 03:37 PM
#809
I feel the need...
Thinking out loud:
1. Still not fond of the power plenum.
2. Melted the creases, somewhat bland exterior.
3. Nice interior, not necessarily big improvement.
4. Still not sure what to make of the dual screens, will have to see to believe.
5. Love the weight loss.
6. Appreciate the mileage gains.
7. Like the increased interior room for second/third rows and added utility.
I hope the brilliant marketing minds at Acura don't get too greedy with aggressively moving pricing upscale like the RLX fail.
1. Still not fond of the power plenum.
2. Melted the creases, somewhat bland exterior.
3. Nice interior, not necessarily big improvement.
4. Still not sure what to make of the dual screens, will have to see to believe.
5. Love the weight loss.
6. Appreciate the mileage gains.
7. Like the increased interior room for second/third rows and added utility.
I hope the brilliant marketing minds at Acura don't get too greedy with aggressively moving pricing upscale like the RLX fail.
03-28-2013, 04:04 PM
#810
Senior Moderator
I actually thought the plenum on the 2G MDX looked great, I loved the look. They've actually gone backwards IMO with the new RDX and new MDX by making it somewhat softer. The aggressive shield seems to work well on trucks.
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Costco (03-29-2013)
03-28-2013, 04:07 PM
#811
The Third Ball
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Oh yay...they gave the interior the same "bulge" design from the RLX.
Yuck.
Yuck.
03-29-2013, 06:37 AM
#812
AZ Community Team
Looks good inside and out, I like that Acura toned down the bold styling of the exterior. Lighter, two center displays, only problem I see is the power plenum.
03-31-2013, 08:02 AM
#813
Safety Car
Tov
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03-31-2013, 02:55 PM
#814
2G TLX-S
At least now, Acura finally has an unified front grille for all it's products to stick to, rather than like before that almost every Acura model had a vastly different Acura brand front grille.
One giant step forward for Acura in promoting brand identity.
03-31-2013, 04:04 PM
#815
I feel the need...
One that's universally despised and bought despite of, not because of. 
03-31-2013, 04:09 PM
#816
I feel the need...
28 mpg Hwy: Win
Safest vehicle in its class: Win
4300 lbs, with as much interior utility as vehicles weighing 800lbs more: Win
Don't hate, appreciate.
03-31-2013, 04:58 PM
#817
The Third Ball
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I'm not seeing this so called bulge that you speak of. Let's put aside styling for a second which we both can probably agree, is not the MDX's strong suit.
28 mpg Hwy: Win
Safest vehicle in its class: Win
4300 lbs, with as much interior utility as vehicles weighing 800lbs more: Win
Don't hate, appreciate.
28 mpg Hwy: Win
Safest vehicle in its class: Win
4300 lbs, with as much interior utility as vehicles weighing 800lbs more: Win
Don't hate, appreciate.
I, personally, would appreciate a Durango RT even more :-D
Or a Jeep with the Diesel if the 3rd row wasn't needed...but alas it is.
04-03-2013, 01:45 PM
#818
04-04-2013, 05:15 AM
#819
Senior Moderator
I had the chance to check out the new MDX @ the NYIAS as it sat on a turntable a few feet away from a 13 MDX Tech. Honestly, it looks more minivanish in person than it does in pics (to me anyway). 
....and at the time I was there, more folks seemed interested in the 13 Tech than the new model.
....and at the time I was there, more folks seemed interested in the 13 Tech than the new model.
04-04-2013, 05:46 AM
#820
It's the lengthened wheelbase. After a certain amount, these crossovers lose their sexy silhouette and get that minivan silhouette. It's like the current Highlander which is barely hanging on to that profile, and the 2014 version which completely looks like a mini schoolbus with the new lengthened wheelbase. SUVs used to not have a legroom problem because they were tall, so even with less wheelbase, your legs aren't splayed in front because the roof was taller, the seats in turn were taller and you sat more comfortably off of the ground. But now to become sleek and sporty they lower the roof & height and we're soon getting all these long hotdog looking crossovers. I'm not a fan of this direction.
06-08-2013, 01:29 PM
#821
Three Wheelin'
Acura has put the 2014 MDX on www.acura.com
06-08-2013, 07:57 PM
#822
אני עומד עם ישראל
Nice and simple.
06-09-2013, 07:09 AM
#823
I feel the need...
My only complaints, and I'm being admittedly nitpicky here:
1. Why not offer the lane view camera (like in the Accord)? I'd prefer that over the lane keep assist which can be very annoying.
2. Why does
get the 360 view camera and not 
3. Keep the pancake wheels as a dealer option, 18's are fine thank you. If poseurs want to roll on dubs that's cool, but crappy roads dictate smoother rides for the family hauler in my book.
1. Why not offer the lane view camera (like in the Accord)? I'd prefer that over the lane keep assist which can be very annoying.
2. Why does
get the 360 view camera and not 3. Keep the pancake wheels as a dealer option, 18's are fine thank you. If poseurs want to roll on dubs that's cool, but crappy roads dictate smoother rides for the family hauler in my book.
06-09-2013, 09:19 AM
#824
Senior Moderator
06-10-2013, 12:31 PM
#825
You'll Never Walk Alone
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My only complaints, and I'm being admittedly nitpicky here:
1. Why not offer the lane view camera (like in the Accord)? I'd prefer that over the lane keep assist which can be very annoying.
2. Why does get the 360 view camera and not
3. Keep the pancake wheels as a dealer option, 18's are fine thank you. If poseurs want to roll on dubs that's cool, but crappy roads dictate smoother rides for the family hauler in my book.
1. Why not offer the lane view camera (like in the Accord)? I'd prefer that over the lane keep assist which can be very annoying.
2. Why does
get the 360 view camera and not 3. Keep the pancake wheels as a dealer option, 18's are fine thank you. If poseurs want to roll on dubs that's cool, but crappy roads dictate smoother rides for the family hauler in my book.
06-23-2013, 10:13 AM
#828
אני עומד עם ישראל
I wonder what the new Pilot will get..
06-28-2013, 09:12 AM
#829
Moderator
Spotted one on my way home from work Wednesday
Not great photos, best I could do in slow traffic with an iPhone.
Not great photos, best I could do in slow traffic with an iPhone.
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SlimTL (06-28-2013)
06-28-2013, 12:15 PM
#831
Moderator
02-03-2015, 11:37 AM
#833
Senior Moderator
2016 Information
From here: 2016 Acura MDX Gets Nine-Speed Auto, Available Electronic Driver Aids
The current MDX has only been around since the 2014 model year but already the popular seven-seat SUV is receiving some significant updates. Although there are no changes to its styling, the 2016 Acura MDX will be coming to the market with a new nine-speed automatic transmission, a new all-wheel-drive system, and some available electronic driver aids grouped under the AcuraWatch heading. There’s also been a slight increase in price, with the base 2016 MDX starting at $43,785, including a $920 destination charge, which is up $325 on pricing for the base 2015 model.
However, the updates made to the vehicle are well worth the relatively minor price rise. The most significant is the new nine-speed auto, which gets a push-button electronic gear selector and paddle shifters for manual control. The new transmission is also 66 pounds lighter than the six-speed unit it replaces, helping to improve front-to-rear weight distribution for better handling characteristics. Finally, the new transmission features more closely spaced gear ratios and 25 percent faster gear shifts.
Like the transmission, the new all-wheel-drive system fitted to the 2016 MDX also helps save weight—19 lbs in total. It’s still a mechanical setup (as opposed to the hybrid-based setup found in the RLX Sport Hybrid and new NSX supercar) but it benefits from a new twin-clutch rear differential that more evenly and smoothly distributes torque, not only between the front and rear axles but also between the left and right rear wheels. This is said to enable more responsive, neutral and predictable handling.
The last major update is the available AcuraWatch suite of safety technologies. This consists of a number of electronic driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep and road departure assist, and active braking with pedestrian detection.
Other updates either standard or available include a frameless rearview mirror, Siri Eyes Free voice recognition, an easy-entry/exit driver’s seat that moves 35 millimeters rearward when the driver’s door is opened, a new tire pressure monitoring system that offers an alert when the tire is inflated to the correct pressure, and a multi-view reversing camera with dynamic guidelines.
Sales of the 2016 Acura MDX commence tomorrow. Note, the vehicle’s corporate cousin, the 2016 Honda Pilot, will make its debut next week at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show. It’s possible some of the features mentioned here will also be offered on the new Pilot.
However, the updates made to the vehicle are well worth the relatively minor price rise. The most significant is the new nine-speed auto, which gets a push-button electronic gear selector and paddle shifters for manual control. The new transmission is also 66 pounds lighter than the six-speed unit it replaces, helping to improve front-to-rear weight distribution for better handling characteristics. Finally, the new transmission features more closely spaced gear ratios and 25 percent faster gear shifts.
Like the transmission, the new all-wheel-drive system fitted to the 2016 MDX also helps save weight—19 lbs in total. It’s still a mechanical setup (as opposed to the hybrid-based setup found in the RLX Sport Hybrid and new NSX supercar) but it benefits from a new twin-clutch rear differential that more evenly and smoothly distributes torque, not only between the front and rear axles but also between the left and right rear wheels. This is said to enable more responsive, neutral and predictable handling.
The last major update is the available AcuraWatch suite of safety technologies. This consists of a number of electronic driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep and road departure assist, and active braking with pedestrian detection.
Other updates either standard or available include a frameless rearview mirror, Siri Eyes Free voice recognition, an easy-entry/exit driver’s seat that moves 35 millimeters rearward when the driver’s door is opened, a new tire pressure monitoring system that offers an alert when the tire is inflated to the correct pressure, and a multi-view reversing camera with dynamic guidelines.
Sales of the 2016 Acura MDX commence tomorrow. Note, the vehicle’s corporate cousin, the 2016 Honda Pilot, will make its debut next week at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show. It’s possible some of the features mentioned here will also be offered on the new Pilot.
02-04-2015, 07:31 PM
#834
Liquid Ice
Surprised that Acura is releasing the 2016 so soon. The 2015 MDX only came out in June/July of 2015 IIRC (according to a Google Search, June 5th, 2014), so it has only been around for 7 months or so and the 2016 model is available beginning February 4th (today).
Also surprising is that Acura has implemented some changes each year.
2015 didn't have any major changes - but the Navigation system was updated to the same as the TLX system and with a firmware update (that is incompatible with the 2014) it supports natural voice for address, and they have improved other things with the navigation such as being allowed to re-order the different sources on the navi screen and supposedly fixing the slowness issues that the 2014 navi experiences.
2016 obviously has a lot of changes, none of them visual. Wonder if 2017 will bring a facelift for the MDX?
Biggest surprise of the 2016 model is that the EPA estimates all dropped even though the car is lighter and has a 9 speed transmission.
2016 Acura MDX gets 9-speed transmission, added refinement
I guess we'll see if the 9 speed gives better gas mileage in real world driving (I'd assume it would based on some of the MPG figures that TLX owners are getting).
Also surprising is that Acura has implemented some changes each year.
2015 didn't have any major changes - but the Navigation system was updated to the same as the TLX system and with a firmware update (that is incompatible with the 2014) it supports natural voice for address, and they have improved other things with the navigation such as being allowed to re-order the different sources on the navi screen and supposedly fixing the slowness issues that the 2014 navi experiences.
2016 obviously has a lot of changes, none of them visual. Wonder if 2017 will bring a facelift for the MDX?
Biggest surprise of the 2016 model is that the EPA estimates all dropped even though the car is lighter and has a 9 speed transmission.
2016 Acura MDX gets 9-speed transmission, added refinement
We thought adding three more cogs was supposed to make for better fuel economy, but in some cases the EPA ratings on the 2016 MDX have gone down by one mile per gallon. The base 2015 MDX is rated at 20 city, 28 highway, 23 combined; the 2016 is rated 19 city, 27 highway, 22 combined. Add SH-AWD on the 2015 and you're looking at 18 city, 27 highway, 21 combined; on the 2016 that's 18 city, 26 highway, 21 combined. If you add idle-stop to those models you restore the city and combined ratings, but still lose that extra mile on the highway.
02-05-2015, 06:31 PM
#835
2G TLX-S
If the gas mileage goes down, this usually means that the new 9-speed auto box is using more aggressive gear ratios and therefore will result in BETTER ACCELERATION performance.
The priority is performance over fuel economy.
The priority is performance over fuel economy.
02-06-2015, 06:07 PM
#836
You'll Never Walk Alone
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That's weird eh. One would have though the shorter gears would allow for better performance anyways....and 3 extra ratios should help economy big time....haha
02-06-2015, 11:56 PM
#837
2G TLX-S
Close ratio 6-7-8-9 gears equate to high acceleration performance, whereas tall ratio 6-7-8-9 gears equate to maximum fuel economy.
02-08-2015, 02:10 PM
#838
Liquid Ice
So - is the idea is that the MDX needed to be sportier while the TLX needed to be more fuel efficient? ... seems a little backwards 
The 2014 MDX was already relatively quick with a 6.5s 0-60 (Acura claimed) but the gas mileage on the 2014 MDX tanks when you cruise above 60-65mph or so. A lot of that probably comes down to aerodynamics - but would have been nice to see taller gearing on the MDX for highway cruising.
The 2014 MDX was already relatively quick with a 6.5s 0-60 (Acura claimed) but the gas mileage on the 2014 MDX tanks when you cruise above 60-65mph or so. A lot of that probably comes down to aerodynamics - but would have been nice to see taller gearing on the MDX for highway cruising.
02-09-2015, 01:41 AM
#839
2G TLX-S
^^^^^
The top gears on the 2014 MDX are already very tall.
When cruising at highway speeds at top gears, the 2014 MDX has absolutely no passing power from the engine.
It has to be paddle down shift a gear or two, in order to get some decent instant engine power to do any passing maneuver.
The top gears on the 2014 MDX are already very tall.
When cruising at highway speeds at top gears, the 2014 MDX has absolutely no passing power from the engine.
It has to be paddle down shift a gear or two, in order to get some decent instant engine power to do any passing maneuver.
02-12-2015, 11:49 PM
#840
God damn, this and the new RDX are some effing bland!