When Acura introduced the MDX in 2001, car-based luxury SUVs were pretty thin on the ground. Within the last few years, however, this segment has heated up faster than a Broil King, and now, just about every manufacturer is offering a well-appointed crossover/SUV powered by a V6 engine. For 2007, the MDX goes from innocuous to edgy and by the name of 20th Anniversary Edition, celebrating 20 years of Acura sales in Canada. It has grown in every dimension, and the new sharp-creased bodywork comes at you with a bold stance, HID (high intensity discharge) headlight clusters and a polarizing RoboCop-esque metallic visage. The 20th Anniversary Edition is the top-of-the-line Elite model ($61,900) with a few extra goodies: 19-inch summer tires on chromed alloys (18-inch wheels with winter tires and tire-totes are included), running boards and lower body "garnish," bringing the price to $67,900. MDX starts at $52,500, with the Technology model next up at $56,900. The Alliston-built SUV is powered by a new SOHC VTEC 3.7 L V6 that generates 300 horses at 6000 rpm and 275 lb.-ft. at 5000 rpm. Acura claims this is the most powerful V6 in its class. Coupled to a five-speed manu-matic, the V6 feels strong and smooth, and like all good Honda engines, is happy to rev. Due to the extensive use of high-strength steel and light alloy metals, the new MDX has not gained any weight over the outgoing model. It consumed a respectable 12.7 L/100 km (premium fuel) over a week of mixed driving. The MDX has always featured a plethora of luxury and techno goodies, and while these elements still figure strongly, MDX v.2.0 revels in its newfound athleticism. Acura has thrown everything it's got at this tall SUV to make it handle, well, not like a tall SUV. Every MDX is equipped with Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive – a clever computerized system that will, as conditions dictate, send to up to 90 per cent of the torque to the front wheels, 100 per cent to the rear, and apportion torque from side to side. In addition, it can overdrive the outside wheels in a corner to "push" the vehicle around in a more brisk fashion. The Elite model (and thus the 20th Anniversary Edition) gets a new Active Damper System that utilizes 15 sensors, magnetic viscosity variable dampers and mucho computer mojo to keep things on the level. The system reacts to road inputs within 30 milliseconds and can operate in either sport or comfort mode. Acura tells us this system was tuned on the famed Nürburgring race circuit in Germany. Throw the MDX 20th Anniversary into a series of bends and, yes, the automaker's work seems justified. There is barely a whiff of body roll and the truck, er, crossover handles quick transitions with ease. Steering is reasonably communicative too. Impressive. It's when you're not driving like Walter Röhrl that things aren't completely rosy. Comfort mode serves up an odd combination of float and impact harshness, and while sport mode seems the better of the two, there is too much lateral rocking, like the system is trying too hard to compensate for road irregularities. I got used to it, but it never felt completely settled or natural. Additionally, my wife and I both noticed an occasional tugging in the steering (left or right), mostly when driving in a straight line. It felt like torque steer, but showed up at the oddest times. That aside, one can't argue with the way the rest of the MDX 20th Anniversary Edition treats its occupants. The interior is well crafted and elegant, with comfortable and supportive perforated leather seats and tri-zone climate control. Along with the expected mod-cons, Acura has gone the extra mile with satellite-based navigation, rear-seat climate controls and DVD, rear-view camera, an excellent 410-watt sound system with XM radio, Bluetooth and bilingual voice command for navigation, HVAC and entertainment. While many European automakers are trying to eliminate dash clutter with computer-like interfaces, Acura goes the old fashioned route with lots of buttons. I counted 52 on the centre console. It looks fussy, but once you know where everything is, it sure beats the heck out of twirling, scrolling and nudging a control knob while dividing your attention between screen and road. Getting a handle on voice recognition eliminates a lot of button-pushing anyway. The hooded LCD screen on the top of the dash (not touch screen, as in most other Acuras) faithfully transmits all info but can get washed out in bright sunlight. Acura describes the MDX's seating arrangement as 4+3 – four in first class, while the other three will likely lodge some complaints from the second-row centre hump and the two flip-up third-row perches that are only accessible from the passenger side. With second and third rows folded, MDX offers 2,364 litres of flat storage. Towing capacity is 2,268 kg. Despite some reservations regarding the active suspension, my family and I enjoyed the MDX 20th Anniversary Edition. Its technology is easily accessible, the cosseting factor is high and if a banzai run to the cottage is in the cards, you can be assured of a stirring drive. |