Acura MDX test drive since 2006 SUV
Shark flower
It’s bad to envy, they taught us at school. But is it possible to remain calm if the officially new Acura MDX is sold only in America? The alertness with which an ordinary Russian looks at the Acura car is akin to the one that the Aborigines of the Philippine Islands at the sight of the Magellan flotilla. But, like the famous sailor, Acura arrived on Russian land without evil intent. Indeed, so far the official sales of Acura in Russia have not been established, so there is no question of healthy competition with more agile premium bonds yet. And all because the blessed time for the heyday of the premium segment, when a new class of rich and famous was formed in Russia, Acura’s leadership exchanged stable positions in the North American market. We would be surprised if you have been the opposite. Nevertheless, if you stepped on the ground at least one foot open to Columbus, but called the name of Americo Vespucci, or held in your hands the consolidated chart of the most popular cars in the United States, then the lack of Acura in the Russian and European markets will cause at least bewilderment. Moreover, gray dealers have been importing the popularity in Russia SUV Acura MDX for several years, but official statements about the submission of the Honda luxury brand have not yet been made. Well, we can be content with supplies on unofficial channels: at the beginning of the year, the sensational sensation of the American market of second -generation Acura MDX market was brought to Russia.
Awakening feelings The first impression is always remembered better than the subsequent detailed analysis of what he saw. In a special extent, this applies to people who choose a car, guided by emotions, and not pragmatic considerations. So in the case of the new MDX, I believe, many will have to take a sedative, because this is the first car because of the ocean that has awakened feelings like Dodge Viper SRT-10, and the mind, like VW Golf TDI. And this is SUV!
To evaluate the efforts of the designers, you need to carefully look at the current SUV: Mercedes-Benz ML, BMW X5, Lexus RX 350, perhaps, only Infiniti FX attracts a look-spoiled look, but now it will have to squeeze because the Acura MDX comes to the podium. The predecessor was not a handsome man and at some angles looked somewhat doubtful. But those who chose MDX seduced the excellent quality of driving, comfort, dynamics and outstanding reliability. We have the right to expect a continuation of glorious traditions from the new model, but Acura has made not only a step forward in the engineering area, but also a huge leap, just a breakthrough, in the field of design.
Pay the second of your attention to this car, and in the next ten minutes he will not let you go. The radiator grill is made with such scrupulousness that in the 1:43 format, it would serve as a decoration of the bracelet. The gaze of the head of the head optics is more predatory and wary than that of the predecessor, and if the designers donated the salon and lowered the roof a few centimeters, Fx fans would gain a new idol. But for MDX they retained the classic SUV proportions, which, however, does not deprive him of passionate attachment to speed. He declares with all his appearance: I go quickly and reliably. Convex wheel arches, volumetric doors and the falling line of the roof are given out in this crossover of a well -trained athlete. We did not expect such expression from Acura, especially in the appearance of the MDX, which in its first incarnation offered more comfort than drive. And this new one resembles a stone that for centuries suffered the savagery of the elements and finally gained a perfect form. The wedge -shaped body shape, short overhangs and faceted surfaces create a single harmonious composition that is even more impressive when playing light and shadows. A comparison with a robbed diamond is perhaps trite, and yet, when BMW puts surfaces on each other, Mercedes-Benz repeats about the classics, and Audi embodies dynamics in statics, Acura focuses on the verge and jewelry of body panels. The quality of execution is really respect. So no matter how pompous this description seems, it reflects reality, therefore, when you first see the new MDX, try to control the lower jaw
High tech Luxury this word is most often found next to the mention of the Acura brand. At first we see only another new car, but while the gaze slides along the embossed surfaces and optics, the thoughts are already spinning in our heads that we have a solid product made with love for people whose income and requests are much higher than average. This performance intensifies when, having traced each exterior line, you finally get behind the wheel.
Now we know why the first generation of MDX lasted almost seven years on the conveyor. The Japanese needed a lot of effort and talent to make a car that would eclipse the Europeans of the premium segment. No, in the near future Acura is unlikely to enter the European market (which you can do if there are no diesel cars in the premium scheme of the Honda premium brand), but we know what authority the products of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz in the eyes of an ordinary Jappy. Keeping ML in the garage means having a certain status, and this symbolism of the European premium segment has always attracted manufacturers of the Japanese Luxury. But so far Lexus, Infiniti and Acura have been in the role of catching up until new generations of LS, M and MDX have appeared.
So, what we see in the photographs can finally cause envy of the Germans. In the salon of the new MDX, our requirements for the design, quality and volume are recreated, which together are extremely rare. The front panel blooms from the control tablets of onboard multimedia. It is necessary to pay tribute to Japanese programmers: with the help of a circle, which rotates and moves in eight directions, manipulates with functions reflected on an 8-inch color display is even simpler than multimedia performed by Idrive, MMI and COMAND. On the same display, you can monitor navigation, view the DVD and observe the situation behind the car through the rear view camera. Six discs are located a little higher than the CD-resort, which gives out the sound through seven speakers and subwoofer. But our car was equipped with an optional audio system with ten speakers and a ceiling 9-inch DVD screen for rear passengers. IPOD connection is also possible. The next step of the three-zone climate control, which through the GPS navigation determines the position of the sun and thus corrects the operation of the climatic installation. In addition, the new MDX can be equipped with a voice control function of the climate control and audio system. To facilitate communication with so many on -board electronics, there are nine buttons on the steering wheel hub. On the side knitting needles are the control buttons of the audio system and cruise control, and in the lower part of the steering wheel of the feedback button with the information display on the instrument panel, the navigation system, the Hands-Free and the button that activates the voice commands. In other words, we are dealing with a new generation car, in which the computer and software occupy the same place as, say, the fuel injection system. But an impressive set of electronic gadgets can now be surprised only 
the population of Chukotka. Another thing is the level of comfort of the driver and passengers, for which automakers conduct a fierce struggle since the appearance of leather seats. And then Acura succeeded. The feeling of comfort, which is first transmitted through the sciatic nerve, then is enhanced by emotions from touching dense rough skin on a rim of the steering wheel and automatic transmission selector and, as a result, is built into the absolute at the sight of a generously designed interior. The quality of finishing materials is no worse than in Audi, impeccable ergonomics and finally possible, for the first time in the Japanese car, a sense of luxury. Even the buttons are pressed with the same pleasant effort as in the German models of the premium segment. But something is alarming. If in a driver’s or passenger place you are entirely immersed in comfort and luxury, then on the second row of seats your legs begin to experience discomfort to the tall people will have to ask those sitting in front to move the chair. But, despite the fact that the new MDX is 25 cm shorter than the 7-seater Audi Q7, there is a third row of seats. Apparently, seven places in SUV are a prerequisite for successful sales in the North American market. However, getting to the third row, even a fourteen-year-old teenager is not so simple. And there is no need to talk about comfortable placement at all. Nevertheless, seven seats in a car the size of a Mercedes-Benz ml is something new, although, in my opinion, not entirely appropriate.
For the driver Acura positions the new MDX as Drivers SUV. In other words, Sport Utility Vehicle, where Sport is not an empty phrase. Does this mean the MDX invasion of the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne? After all, the new MDX is equipped with one of the most powerful 6-cylinder engines, it produces as many as 300 hp. (for comparison: 6-cylinder engines of the new X5 3.0i and ML 350 develop 272 hp, Lexus RX 350 276 hp, Infiniti FX35 283 hp) and has a whole set of progressive electronics for dynamic and safe Driving. Moreover, the modification of the running characteristics of the MDX was carried out on the Nürburgring racing ring! So it is quite possible that the Sport Activity Vehicle really arrived.
High returns from the 6-cylinder engine was achieved thanks to the proprietary system of dynamic change in the VTEC gas distribution phase, the intake collector of the variable length and the exhaust path of low resistance. As a result, 300 hp at 6000 rpm and 373 nm at 5000 rpm. With this supply of energy, the MDX accelerates to 100 km/h for 7.3 s almost a second faster than the new BMW X5 3.0SI. At the same time, fuel consumption is about 16.6 liters when driving around the city.
The numbers are confirmed by subjective sensations: the Acura MDX really moves fast and assertively, and the main culprit of the extraordinary dynamics of the 3.5-liter V6 sounds pleasant and bass. It is a pity that due to dense sound insulation, it is almost inaudible that the case when the hood baritone could become an excellent accompaniment of assertive overclocking.
But the dynamics and fuel efficiency could be even better, if a pair for the motor is not 5-, but a 6-band automato. This one, with the possibility of manual gear shifts, is also not bad, but sometimes it lacks flipper. I must admit that the new MDX was lucky with technical filling. The motor is possible, the best V6 among competitors is characterized by powerful thrust at low speeds and a pleasant pickup after 3,500 rpm. In addition, it is economical and sounds excellent. An equally important condition for stable and dynamic driving is the SH-AWD all-wheel drive system, which produced a splash during the presentation of the flagship sedan Acura RL (Honda Legend) and now sets new standards for SUV.
SH-AWD is the new Pentium from Honda. Iron in itself does not mean anything, but under the control of the artificial mind, the gears begin to rotate at such a speed and sequence that the turns cease to be an obstacle. After a dozen turns, I conclude that the Sh-AWD is designed for a twenty-year-old blonde who accidentally drowned the gas pedal in the floor in the bend. If, by the will of the otherworldly mind, she managed to turn the steering wheel in the right direction, then the rest of the car will do everything else. The supply of stability seems implausible, but even when the car goes into skids, it is not difficult to restore the straightforward movement. Just in case, the ABS, EBD, VSA, TPMS systems are provided, and in an extremely unfavorable combination of circumstances, the MDX will demonstrate what five stars for safety during the front and lateral strike on the NHTSA system.
Riding quality is what the new MDX is full -fledged Luxury. In a straight line, MDX rides like high -speed express, shows unexpected agility in corners, therefore, approaching the tram tracks, I expected a tangible shaking. After all, cars that are perfectly controlled and do not allow themselves to be frightening in corners, as a rule, harsh on irregularities. But this does not apply to MDX. In motion, it resembles a new X5, but on a broken road is more restrained. Whatever the shock absorber settings mode you choose comfortable or normal, the suspension on aluminum levers will retain excellent energy intensity. She is not even heard. Price? Officially, the new Acura MDX has not yet been sold, but gray dealers are already accepting orders. The price of the basic MDX is about 77 thousand dollars, and the car in the top configuration will cost $ 86 thousand. For comparison: prices for Infiniti FX35 start at $ 74 thousand, but Infiniti, like Lexus, is officially sold, have digitizing a speedometer in kilometers, and the radio catches not only odd, but also even radio stations. In addition, the owner of the FX or RX receives a dealer guarantee for a car. However, looking at the demand for MDX, which arose in America almost immediately after the premiere of the novelty, a similar success can be predicted in Russia. But only if the Acura brand comes to our market officially.
Technical characteristics of Acura MDX Dimensions, mm 4843x1993x1732
Base, mm 2750
Benzine engine type V6
Working volume, cubic meter. cm 3664
Max. Power, L.S./rpm 300/6000
Max. moment, nm/rpm 373/5000
The transmission is automatic 5-band
Tires 255/55 R18
Max. Speed, km/h 220
Acceleration time 0-100 km, with 7.3
Fuel consumption (city/highway), l/100 km 16.6
Tank volume, l 80
Stanislav Goncharenko
Photo by the author
Source: Avtopanorama magazine
