Test Drive of the MDX Sport Hybrid
06-21-2017, 05:55 AM
#81
Senior Moderator
If it has CarPlay/Android Auto (the Acura system has both), you would have a "smartphone" button near your jog wheel. Once your phone is plugged in via USB, you press it and the system just works.
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RLX-Sport Hybrid (06-21-2017)
06-21-2017, 06:58 AM
#82
Burning Brakes
The MDX-SH doesn't have Apple CarPlay-Android Auto, only the new 2018 TLX has the updated infotainment system......
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06-21-2017, 08:05 AM
#83
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Thanks guys for looking into that! Oh well.
06-21-2017, 08:29 AM
#84
Burning Brakes
To add, the 2016+ MDX does include Siri Eyes Free, though.....very convenient feature to have if you have an iPhone. Sorry RLX-Sport Hybrid its no good for you, since you use Android.....
06-22-2017, 10:20 PM
#85
Drove 132 miles this morning. 99% freeway so EV mode was minimal (1.2/132). Drove in Normal mode as I wanted to compare as much as possible to my RLX PAWS on same trip. Had ACC set at 78 mph most of the time. Got 27.0 mpg. Same trip in RLX was usually 30.4. Pretty good comparing relative sizes of vehicles.
Loved the drive! I would not call the suspension soft, but far superior to RLX. ACC is improved as well. The RLX was jerky and slow to react for cars pulling in front or slowing down. This ACC is quicker to react and smoother. Pleasant surprise. One thing I did not notice was Lane keeping alarm. It has the Road Departure and Lane assist. Did they get rid of the alarm? Kind of annoying anyway.
Now to explore the other driving modes. Took me a while to figure out that the left most gauge was the hybrid battery charge level rather than engine temp.
The only nit I have so far is that I wonder why they could not put the power distribution monitor on the lower LCD. Would be nice to see NAVI in full screen and monitor at same time
Loved the drive! I would not call the suspension soft, but far superior to RLX. ACC is improved as well. The RLX was jerky and slow to react for cars pulling in front or slowing down. This ACC is quicker to react and smoother. Pleasant surprise. One thing I did not notice was Lane keeping alarm. It has the Road Departure and Lane assist. Did they get rid of the alarm? Kind of annoying anyway.
Now to explore the other driving modes. Took me a while to figure out that the left most gauge was the hybrid battery charge level rather than engine temp.
The only nit I have so far is that I wonder why they could not put the power distribution monitor on the lower LCD. Would be nice to see NAVI in full screen and monitor at same time
For comparison, my RLX would do 29.5
So MDX increased mpg on return versus outbound while my RLX decreased - as expected.
I can't believe how quiet it is - do all the MDX trim have the acoustic windows or only the Advance?
06-22-2017, 11:45 PM
#86
one other thing I have noticed. Battery drains and charges pretty fast. Looked it up and it is only 1.3 kWh. Thats smaller than a Prius.
Doesn't that seem odd? Big SUV could have added more battery/weight fairly easily - no?
Doesn't that seem odd? Big SUV could have added more battery/weight fairly easily - no?
06-23-2017, 05:42 AM
#87
Senior Moderator
It's already pretty heavy, and 27 mpg is pretty darned good for any SUV that heavy. I guess Acura was looking for a balance.
06-23-2017, 06:07 AM
#88
Burning Brakes
getakey . . . . . . . . you're making my 10 to 15 minutes I spend a day on this site beyond worth it. Your reviews are hands down better than those who are paid to review in my opinion. I too will be getting an MDX SH at the end of the year, if not sooner. It will be replacing the RXh. Your reviews are down to the detail level which I love. Keep them coming and thanks a ton!!!!
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RLX-Sport Hybrid (06-23-2017)
06-23-2017, 10:08 AM
#89
Thanks, but you may be mixing my review with RLX-Sport Hybrid reviews. His were very detailed and spot on
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RLX-Sport Hybrid (06-23-2017)
06-23-2017, 11:01 AM
#90
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Thank you Getakey and Moose66.
So after completing a short trip (1st one) in the MDX-SH, I have a few more observations worth noting. First, there is an annoying beep that I have not figured out how to turn off when I have Lane Keep Assist on along with all of the other cruse control items. Seemingly at random times I get a beep and I can't figure out why. Second, although it is very cool to have the car steer itself, it is not fool proof and I don't find its use relaxing, but the opposite. Also when the system senses it should slow down for an approaching car on the highway that is moving slower than me in my lane, it is not as smooth in throttle modulation or brake application as I would apply in the same situation. It feels almost binary in its input applications which caught my wife's attention more than once during the trip. She said that I drive way more smoothly than the computer aided inputs provide, so she asked that I not use this technology when we are driving together. Now that is either a compliment to my driving, or a negative towards the technology usage. Third, my gas mileage on mixed highway and country roads, some of which had some hills to climb, recorded 26.9mpg. On our way back I did not use any of the technology as I typically do in the RLX-SH and that delivered 30.3mpg for the reverse trip. The total miles driven was 401 and it returned an average of 28.3mpg, with 202 miles left to empty on the gauge when we arrived back home last night. Very good I must say. So you make the assessment from that data.
I reiterate again that this version of the MDX is the smoothest, most quiet and comfortable MDX Acura has produced to date. What a delight to take on a road trip. A few complaints though. The ventilation system is far more noisy even on its lowest setting on the fan speed than what is in the RLX-SH on a moderate setting (fan speed). Second, throttle tip in is much less responsive for the same level of peddle pressure on the gas than the RLX-SH. Third, the available thrust the entire system produces is significantly less than what I experience everyday in the RLX-SH. By comparison the RLX-SH feels 700-1000 lbs lighter just based on seat of the pants feel. If I did not have the experience of owning the RLX-SH, I might not feel this way, but when I drive them back to back, the power difference is immediate and very obvious from the first time I hit the gas at any intensity. I suspect this was programmed in, not just because it is down on all aspects of power measurements, relative to each other. That is a compliment for the RLX-SH. The lighting pattern with the fog lights on is very good on the MDX-SH, but a significant notch down in brightness, width and depth of visual field relative to the RLX-SH. I would assume most would compliment the lights on the MDX-SH until they experienced them in the RLX-SH. Those are the best lights on any car I have experienced to date. Big miss there Acura. Also not having the HUD is another big missing piece of technology in the MDX-SH, especially in the hybrid version. Lastly for now, although I like the new power distribution screen for the new hybrid system in the MDX-SH, I actually like the old one better in the RLX-SH as it is easier for me to see at a glance how many bars of hybrid assist the system is providing, as well as the MDX-SH's hybrid system does not provide the same level of immediate YAW control in the form of rear throttle control regarding the overdrive of the outside wheel and under-drive of the inside wheel in most circumstances. In the RLX-SH it is immediate and very quick to provide that responsive manner and that is missing in the MDX-SH in Comfort Mode. I may feel differently in other driving modes, but for what I experienced in Comfort mode over the last few days, especially on twisty mountain roads, it was mostly showing all four wheels with discharge blue lines on the display and rarely with the blue/green alternating display in the RLX-SH if driven on the same roads and speeds. I saw the green/blue applications if I turned the wheel more sharply in turns, but that was it. More to come in future posts my friends.
So after completing a short trip (1st one) in the MDX-SH, I have a few more observations worth noting. First, there is an annoying beep that I have not figured out how to turn off when I have Lane Keep Assist on along with all of the other cruse control items. Seemingly at random times I get a beep and I can't figure out why. Second, although it is very cool to have the car steer itself, it is not fool proof and I don't find its use relaxing, but the opposite. Also when the system senses it should slow down for an approaching car on the highway that is moving slower than me in my lane, it is not as smooth in throttle modulation or brake application as I would apply in the same situation. It feels almost binary in its input applications which caught my wife's attention more than once during the trip. She said that I drive way more smoothly than the computer aided inputs provide, so she asked that I not use this technology when we are driving together. Now that is either a compliment to my driving, or a negative towards the technology usage. Third, my gas mileage on mixed highway and country roads, some of which had some hills to climb, recorded 26.9mpg. On our way back I did not use any of the technology as I typically do in the RLX-SH and that delivered 30.3mpg for the reverse trip. The total miles driven was 401 and it returned an average of 28.3mpg, with 202 miles left to empty on the gauge when we arrived back home last night. Very good I must say. So you make the assessment from that data.
I reiterate again that this version of the MDX is the smoothest, most quiet and comfortable MDX Acura has produced to date. What a delight to take on a road trip. A few complaints though. The ventilation system is far more noisy even on its lowest setting on the fan speed than what is in the RLX-SH on a moderate setting (fan speed). Second, throttle tip in is much less responsive for the same level of peddle pressure on the gas than the RLX-SH. Third, the available thrust the entire system produces is significantly less than what I experience everyday in the RLX-SH. By comparison the RLX-SH feels 700-1000 lbs lighter just based on seat of the pants feel. If I did not have the experience of owning the RLX-SH, I might not feel this way, but when I drive them back to back, the power difference is immediate and very obvious from the first time I hit the gas at any intensity. I suspect this was programmed in, not just because it is down on all aspects of power measurements, relative to each other. That is a compliment for the RLX-SH. The lighting pattern with the fog lights on is very good on the MDX-SH, but a significant notch down in brightness, width and depth of visual field relative to the RLX-SH. I would assume most would compliment the lights on the MDX-SH until they experienced them in the RLX-SH. Those are the best lights on any car I have experienced to date. Big miss there Acura. Also not having the HUD is another big missing piece of technology in the MDX-SH, especially in the hybrid version. Lastly for now, although I like the new power distribution screen for the new hybrid system in the MDX-SH, I actually like the old one better in the RLX-SH as it is easier for me to see at a glance how many bars of hybrid assist the system is providing, as well as the MDX-SH's hybrid system does not provide the same level of immediate YAW control in the form of rear throttle control regarding the overdrive of the outside wheel and under-drive of the inside wheel in most circumstances. In the RLX-SH it is immediate and very quick to provide that responsive manner and that is missing in the MDX-SH in Comfort Mode. I may feel differently in other driving modes, but for what I experienced in Comfort mode over the last few days, especially on twisty mountain roads, it was mostly showing all four wheels with discharge blue lines on the display and rarely with the blue/green alternating display in the RLX-SH if driven on the same roads and speeds. I saw the green/blue applications if I turned the wheel more sharply in turns, but that was it. More to come in future posts my friends.
Last edited by RLX-Sport Hybrid; 06-23-2017 at 11:06 AM.
06-23-2017, 11:25 AM
#92
My experience with the ACC is that it is much better than the ACC in the 2014 RLX. However, it is not as smooth as my own driving. I will often cancel it when I see another car moving in front of me from another lane just so I can control the braking rather than ACC. However, for long stretches it works well
06-23-2017, 11:47 AM
#93
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Couple of points to make in general.
The reason I am spending more time on the RLX side of the forum rather than the MDX side is I think it is relevant to RLX-SH owners and potential owners what the real world differences are between the hybrid systems. I like the quirky nature of the RLX-SH hybrid drive. It feels more "alive" to me as there are so many interesting thrust delivery experiences one can have, where in comparison, the new MDX-SH has had much of that programmed out, which I think is a huge mistake by Acura. The RLX-SH is fun to drive EVERY TIME is get behind the wheel, hands down. The new MDX-SH is a strong performer and delivers a great and relaxing driving experience, thus my repeating that it should be marketed as a "Luxury Hybrid". If a potential buyer of a new MDX test drives the traditional SH-AWD and the Sport Hybrid versions back to back, I can't see that person opting for the traditional SH-AWD. It is just that good. However, I feel compelled to compare the two hybrid systems on this side of the forum because of the related drive trains and mutually interested potential buyers/enthusiasts. I hope that continues to be ok with the moderators of this forum. I mean well.
The reason I am spending more time on the RLX side of the forum rather than the MDX side is I think it is relevant to RLX-SH owners and potential owners what the real world differences are between the hybrid systems. I like the quirky nature of the RLX-SH hybrid drive. It feels more "alive" to me as there are so many interesting thrust delivery experiences one can have, where in comparison, the new MDX-SH has had much of that programmed out, which I think is a huge mistake by Acura. The RLX-SH is fun to drive EVERY TIME is get behind the wheel, hands down. The new MDX-SH is a strong performer and delivers a great and relaxing driving experience, thus my repeating that it should be marketed as a "Luxury Hybrid". If a potential buyer of a new MDX test drives the traditional SH-AWD and the Sport Hybrid versions back to back, I can't see that person opting for the traditional SH-AWD. It is just that good. However, I feel compelled to compare the two hybrid systems on this side of the forum because of the related drive trains and mutually interested potential buyers/enthusiasts. I hope that continues to be ok with the moderators of this forum. I mean well.
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hondamore (06-23-2017)
06-23-2017, 11:49 AM
#94
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
My experience with the ACC is that it is much better than the ACC in the 2014 RLX. However, it is not as smooth as my own driving. I will often cancel it when I see another car moving in front of me from another lane just so I can control the braking rather than ACC. However, for long stretches it works well
06-23-2017, 11:50 AM
#95
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
06-23-2017, 01:19 PM
#96
Three Wheelin'
Couple of points to make in general.
The reason I am spending more time on the RLX side of the forum rather than the MDX side is I think it is relevant to RLX-SH owners and potential owners what the real world differences are between the hybrid systems. I like the quirky nature of the RLX-SH hybrid drive. It feels more "alive" to me as there are so many interesting thrust delivery experiences one can have, where in comparison, the new MDX-SH has had much of that programmed out, which I think is a huge mistake by Acura. The RLX-SH is fun to drive EVERY TIME is get behind the wheel, hands down. The new MDX-SH is a strong performer and delivers a great and relaxing driving experience, thus my repeating that it should be marketed as a "Luxury Hybrid". If a potential buyer of a new MDX test drives the traditional SH-AWD and the Sport Hybrid versions back to back, I can't see that person opting for the traditional SH-AWD. It is just that good. However, I feel compelled to compare the two hybrid systems on this side of the forum because of the related drive trains and mutually interested potential buyers/enthusiasts. I hope that continues to be ok with the moderators of this forum. I mean well.
The reason I am spending more time on the RLX side of the forum rather than the MDX side is I think it is relevant to RLX-SH owners and potential owners what the real world differences are between the hybrid systems. I like the quirky nature of the RLX-SH hybrid drive. It feels more "alive" to me as there are so many interesting thrust delivery experiences one can have, where in comparison, the new MDX-SH has had much of that programmed out, which I think is a huge mistake by Acura. The RLX-SH is fun to drive EVERY TIME is get behind the wheel, hands down. The new MDX-SH is a strong performer and delivers a great and relaxing driving experience, thus my repeating that it should be marketed as a "Luxury Hybrid". If a potential buyer of a new MDX test drives the traditional SH-AWD and the Sport Hybrid versions back to back, I can't see that person opting for the traditional SH-AWD. It is just that good. However, I feel compelled to compare the two hybrid systems on this side of the forum because of the related drive trains and mutually interested potential buyers/enthusiasts. I hope that continues to be ok with the moderators of this forum. I mean well.
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RLX-Sport Hybrid (06-23-2017)
06-23-2017, 04:34 PM
#97
asked this same question in the MDX forum:
I saw a review of the MDX-SH that compared it to 5 or 6 other SUVs, but now I can't find it. Did Google search, but cannot find that review
Anyone else recall it?
It compared all the SUVs by category, i.e., performance, interior, etc
I saw a review of the MDX-SH that compared it to 5 or 6 other SUVs, but now I can't find it. Did Google search, but cannot find that review
Anyone else recall it?
It compared all the SUVs by category, i.e., performance, interior, etc
06-23-2017, 04:39 PM
#98
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
asked this same question in the MDX forum:
I saw a review of the MDX-SH that compared it to 5 or 6 other SUVs, but now I can't find it. Did Google search, but cannot find that review
Anyone else recall it?
It compared all the SUVs by category, i.e., performance, interior, etc
I saw a review of the MDX-SH that compared it to 5 or 6 other SUVs, but now I can't find it. Did Google search, but cannot find that review
Anyone else recall it?
It compared all the SUVs by category, i.e., performance, interior, etc
06-23-2017, 05:05 PM
#99
found it - its in this thread
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-mdx-discussion-2014-414/3rd-generation-acura-mdx-reviews-888758/page3/#post16021946
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2017-acura-mdx-in-depth-model-review
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-mdx-discussion-2014-414/3rd-generation-acura-mdx-reviews-888758/page3/#post16021946
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2017-acura-mdx-in-depth-model-review
Last edited by getakey; 06-23-2017 at 05:11 PM.
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hondamore (06-23-2017)
06-23-2017, 05:29 PM
#100
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
06-23-2017, 06:13 PM
#102
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
You got that right. It is S1 in the MDX-SH. Just past 1,000 miles on it so I will give it another 0-60 before I fill up again next week.
06-24-2017, 02:43 PM
#103
somewhat odd behavior. I live on a hill and driving away from house is all downhill. The car seems to not know what to do. I cannot fully take foot off accelerator or I slow down, but when trying to give slight throttle, the car literally bucks back and forth trying to figure out what to do. This is all at <25 mph. Not sure if it only does this when ICE is not yet up to temp.
06-24-2017, 04:26 PM
#105
not a bad idea
just finished its first wax. A lot of metal on that car! My watch thinks I did 5K steps.
Plan on getting it Opti Coated, but wanted some protection in the meantime
just finished its first wax. A lot of metal on that car! My watch thinks I did 5K steps.
Plan on getting it Opti Coated, but wanted some protection in the meantime
06-24-2017, 11:07 PM
#106
The RLX SH is 350 lbs heavier than the RLX PAWS
The MDX SH is only 300 lbs heavier than the MDX AWD - weight offset be getting rid of the mechanical AWD
50 lbs more battery would make a huge difference and the % higher is lower than the 350 lb gain in the RLX
06-25-2017, 06:51 AM
#107
Senior Moderator
ok - a little more on this.
The RLX SH is 350 lbs heavier than the RLX PAWS
The MDX SH is only 300 lbs heavier than the MDX AWD - weight offset be getting rid of the mechanical AWD
50 lbs more battery would make a huge difference and the % higher is lower than the 350 lb gain in the RLX
The RLX SH is 350 lbs heavier than the RLX PAWS
The MDX SH is only 300 lbs heavier than the MDX AWD - weight offset be getting rid of the mechanical AWD
50 lbs more battery would make a huge difference and the % higher is lower than the 350 lb gain in the RLX
06-25-2017, 09:58 AM
#108
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
I expect 26.5 - 28 mpg per tank no matter what roads I drive on based on what I am seeing thus far. I think that is a safe bet. My lifetime is 30.7 mpg on the RLX-SH and I just passed 50,000 miles a few minutes ago.
06-25-2017, 02:38 PM
#109
06-25-2017, 07:35 PM
#110
Cold ICE must be the problem. Went down the hill when ICE still warm from previous trip. ICE turned off, rear wheels were regen braking and still accelerated a little. With ICE cold, it must want to find a low gear and cause the bucking. I will try putting in Sport mode and upshifting.
Odd though, because when I was in Sport mode going down a similar hill, I saw front Regen and ICE was on, but not applying power. ICE was warm though.
Odd though, because when I was in Sport mode going down a similar hill, I saw front Regen and ICE was on, but not applying power. ICE was warm though.
06-26-2017, 07:34 AM
#111
Safety Car
Thoughts
Finally got to spend some time in a family member's MDX Hybrid and I am impressed. It is such a smooth quite ride and no there is no telling that you are in a hybrid; you cannot even tell when it changes gears really. After a few weeks, we are getting ~26 mpg in mixed driving which is pretty good for an AWD CUV with that much power.
As for that random beep, could it be when there is a car in front of you? When I 1st got my RLX, I kept wondering what the random 1 beep was but then realized that it happens when there is a car in front of you - kind of like a pre-warning before the ACC does anything.
Biggest complaint so far is the loud thunk/thud noise when moving from park to reverse. Also, I know Acura was trying to reduce the amount of physical buttons after all the complaints but the heat/ventilated seat controls on the touchscreen are kind of annoying compared to the MDX.
The fit and finish is excellent although it has a bit more hard plastic than I would have liked in a vehicle at this price range.
For only $1,500 more, the hybrid was well worth it. If Acura puts this much effort into their future vehicles, they could really turn things around for themselves in the luxury market.
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06-26-2017, 07:08 PM
#112
The shift to Reverse does have a big clunk - glad to hear it is not just mine. For the random beep, cold it be lane keeping loses the lines?
I managed to solve by herky jerky hill problem. As I expected, I used Sport and upshifted to 3rd gear. No issues.
However this evening started car, shifted to Reverse and rear camera came on. When I shifted to Drive LCD went Black. Hitting Nav, Audio, Info, Phone buttons did not do anything - not even a beep.
Stopped and restarted car and screen did come on. Hope that was a one time issue!
I managed to solve by herky jerky hill problem. As I expected, I used Sport and upshifted to 3rd gear. No issues.
However this evening started car, shifted to Reverse and rear camera came on. When I shifted to Drive LCD went Black. Hitting Nav, Audio, Info, Phone buttons did not do anything - not even a beep.
Stopped and restarted car and screen did come on. Hope that was a one time issue!