Test drive Acura MDX 2001 - 2004 SUV
Shark flower
Acura MDXUntil now, I have not dealt with Acura cars. Mark, of course, knew, but the fact that the stylized letter A is nothing more than a transformed Honda n, it never occurred to him - until he met with the new Acura. Sergey Yakubov.
In the niche of Acura's body hybrids, the North American branch of Honda, did not penetrate the first or even the second. And thanks to this, the first pancake was by no means lumpy. We are talking about the Acura MDX SUV, which was pre -pre -pre -2000 in Detroit. The debit of a serial car took place in January of this year in the same place, in Detroit, while the Acura MDX assigned the 2001 North American truck title. (By the way, MDX is not only the first hybrid, but also the first car independently developed by the company to which the name SUV is applicable.)
Nobody expected such a stir. In the USA, the price of the model, as sales, not only did not fall below the recommended by the manufacturer, but even overstated some dealers. Which, however, did not reduce the interest of buyers - the waiting period for the ordered car and is now several months. By the way, one of the founders of the hybrid genre - Lexus RX300, for which demand and, accordingly, prices, became the victim of the popularity of the new Acura.
Finding MDX in Moscow salons was not easy: officially, the car does not come to our continent - the plant could not cope with America. But we were lucky ... The MDX has a stylish swift body - now a combination of simple surfaces and sharp faces. And immediately it is clear that this is Honda, the family traits are evident: MDX is simultaneously similar to CR-V, HR-V, and to the new Civic. Somewhat not in the topic of the fly -chicken, half overlapping the embossed hood - and why do Americans love them so much? The wheels are not quite solid - narrow, although with dimension everything seems to be in order - 235/65R17.
In appearance, the car is small - approximately like the mentioned RX300, but in fact, MDX is almost 20 cm longer and 15 wider and higher. Dimensions are almost like the Honda Odyssey/Shuttle mini -van, on the platform of which the model is built. Three rows of seats are placed in the car - seven full -fledged places. Honda itself, that is, Acura, serves MDX as a hybrid of an SUV and mini-wen. And not without reason. If he is not a real SUV, then he will fully cope with parquet duties. The all -wheel drive transmission is equipped with an electronic system VTM (Variable Torque Management), which, when deteriorating road conditions, smoothly connects the rear axle. There is a forced blocking of the center differential. The box, of course, is a machine gun (and, by the way, five -speed). The engine is a 3.5-liter 240-horsepower V6 with variable gas distribution phases (VTEC).
Inside, the car is greater than outside - large glass and high ceiling contribute to this sensation. The tubular thresholds that facilitate access to the salon are very appropriate - MDX sits high, like a serious SUV. The salon, as usual, is leather, but, contrary to traditions, not beige or gray, but absolutely black, with wooden inserts, although it seems that this is still a plastic imitation. Nevertheless, the interior looks solid and expensive, as in the representative of the representative class, chrome details also work for this. The panels are well fitted and made of noble, pleasant to the touch of materials. The front seats are fully electric, the driver’s adjustments have four adjustments - along the length, height of the front and rear parts of the pillow and the corner of the back of the back, and is also equipped with memory in two positions and heating. It was not difficult to adjust the chair for yourself. It is moderately tough, optimal sizes - under the driver of standard dimensions and, in addition, just beautiful, with original integrated head restraints. The middle part is sheathed with perforated skin - not so slippery in summer.
The steering wheel of the optimal section and diameter, with mechanical adjustment in height, but its range is small. The machine gun selector is located in European - on the floor. The dashboard is not overloaded - only the most necessary: \u200b\u200ba speedometer, tachometer, fuel level in the tank and engine temperature. The rest of the information is delivered by control lamps. The main place on the central console is occupied by a blue screen - approximately a 6 -inch display, which display data from the on -board computer about fuel consumption, music and air conditioning. Management of all systems is simple and understandable, instructions are not required. The Bose stereo system works both with CD and cassettes, the volume control is duplicated by the remote control on the steering wheel. On the ceiling, of course, there is an eyebrush, on the central console between the seats - two cup holders, under the arm of the armrest (it leans back 180 degrees, giving two integrated backup passengers) hides a large box with a double bottom and a socket. The glove compartment is small but convenient. There was no cigarette lighter under the lid - only a nest, but under the neighboring no ashtray, but a tank for small things, glued with villous material - it turns out, a car for non -smokers. The comfort of passengers of the second row was treated with no less attention. There are plenty of space in width and in height, legs not crowded even with the front seat completely shifted back. The backs have two fixed positions on the angle of inclination. The folding armrest is equipped with two cup holders, two more in the doors. Climate control and lighting of the rear of the cabin is autonomous.
You can get to the third row by throwing back the back of the second. Here, of course, is not so free, but quite tolerant. The landing is quite convenient - thanks to the floor level, the legs do not have to bend much, as is the case in classmates of MDX or mini -wen. And again - two cup holders in the side panels. It turns out ten - more than passengers. However, this is far from a record for America.
Access to the trunk - through the fifth door opening upward. The bumper works like a footboard, which is hinting at the overlay in the form of stylized traces of the legs. The possibilities of transforming the salon are really worthy of serious mini-wen. The seats of the third and second rows are folded in one motion: when pressing the lever, the back drops forward with simultaneous shift forward and down pillows - it turns out an absolutely even floor. No need to move anything, crawl along the cabin, disconnecting the mounts, drag into the garage. In the floor of the trunk under the lid - a compartment for headrests and a small set of tools. Two more boxes with lids on the side panels. The stock -perokatka is outside, under the floor. The back door closes is not as flawlessly as four side.
At idle, the engine does not show itself - neither noise nor vibrations. A low start from a place is pleasing - an intensive speed set follows. The programs are switched smoothly and at the same time quickly, allowing the engine to promote to optimal revolutions. The machine is good - sensitive, fast, does not annoy with tightness in transitional modes.
The chassis left an ambiguous impression. The suspension is tough, transparent, even too much. Potholes and joints make themselves felt by sensitive blows, almost everything is transmitted to the body - accompanied by unpleasant sounds. After a while, you begin to go around every hole. The tram tracks are generally trouble, and in a bend on irregularities the car rearranges.
The steering wheel is quite saturated with the reverse action, in parking with one hand it is not easy to rotate it. The rigidity of the suspension and the characteristics of the steering mechanism provide excellent handling. The MDX turns is reluctant, strives out of turn (insufficient rotation on a dry coating - a consequence of the fact that the main stream of torque is transmitted to the front axle), nevertheless, the machine remains under control and the steering wheel is perfectly obeyed.
All the troubles delivered by a hard suspension end as soon as you get out on the highway with a good coating. Everything is perfect here: excellent exchange rate stability, clear zero on the steering wheel, no vertical swing. Management is like a good car.
Brakes work as you expect - optimal effect and slowdown. ABS does not irritate premature inclusions. There are no complaints about visibility, except that the internal mirror is not enough. An interesting point: when the rear gear is turned on, the right external mirror is automatically redended into the rear wheel for the convenience of maneuvering. As for noise, their main sources are road and suspension. The engine manifests itself only at speeds close to maximum. And aerodynamic noises appear after 100 km/h.
What is the end? A beautiful, well -assembled all -wheel drive car with a powerful motor and a comfortable, solid and at the same time universal salon. At the same time, there is a rigid suspension and acute controllability. Ideal conditions for the operation of Acura MDX are normal roads. However, this car was not conceived as a means of conquering virgin lands.
In Moscow, MDX costs nearly $ 65,000 - if you find. And you will find, so immediately stick on the sides of some longitudinal moldings, otherwise the doors will immediately generalize the door neighbors in the parking lot.
Source: Motor magazine [No. 9/2001]
