Test Drive Acura MDX since 2009 Crossover

Akura flower

Acura MDX.

 

So far, I have not dealt with Acura cars. The brand, of course, knew, but the fact that the stylized letter A is nothing but a transformed Hondovskaya N, I did not occur to the head - until I met with the new acura. Sergey Yakubov.

 

In a niche of the Body Hybrid Acura, the North American branch of Honda, penetrated the first and not even second. And thanks to this, the first pancake was not at all com. We are talking about the Acura MDX SUV, whose premiere was held in early 2000 in Detroit. The debut of the serial car took place in January of this year there, in Detroit, while Acura MDX was assigned the title of the North American truck 2001. (By the way, MDX is not only the first hybrid, but also the first self-developed car, to which the name SUV is applicable.)

 

No one expected such an excitement. In the US, the price of the model as sales not only did not fall below the recommended manufacturer, but some dealers even overestimated. What, however, did not reduce the interest of buyers - the waiting time of the ordered machine and is now several months. By the way, one of the founders of the hybrid genre - Lexus RX300, which fell in demand and, respectively, the price of the popularity of the new Acura was the victim.

 

Find in Moscow salons MDX was not easy: officially on our continent does not ship - the plant does not cope with America. But we were lucky ...

 

MDX has a stylish rapid body - fashionable now the combination of simple surfaces and sharp faces. And it is immediately clear that this is Honda, the names are obvious: MDX is simultaneously similar to CR-V, and on HR-V, and on a new Civic. Several not in the topic of a fly-friendly, half the overlapping embossed hood - and for which Americans love them so much? Wheels are not quite solid, narrowly, although everything seems to be all right - 235 / 65R17.

 

It seems like the car is small - approximately as mentioned RX300, but in fact MDX is almost 20 cm it is longer and 15 wider and higher. Dimensions - almost like Mini Wen Honda Odyssey / Shuttle, on the platform of which the model and built. The car placed three rows of seats - seven full-fledged places. Honda herself, 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 with parquet responsibilities will cope completely. All-wheel drive transmission is equipped with a VTM electronic system (VARIABLE TORQUE MANAGEMENT), which, with a deterioration of road conditions, connects the rear axle. There is a forced blocking of the mid-sieve differential. Box, of course, automatic (and, by the way, five-speed). Engine - 3.5-liter 240-strong V6 with variable gas distribution phases (VTEC).

 

Inside the car is more than outside - large glasses and high ceiling are promoted. Very appropriate tubular thresholds, facilitating access to the salon, - MDX sits high as a serious SUV. Salon, as usual, leather, but, despite traditions, not beige or gray, but absolutely black, with wooden inserts, although it looks like it is still plastic imitation. Nevertheless, the interior looks solid and expensive, both in the sedan of the representative class, and chrome details work on it. The panels are well adjusted and made of noble, pleasant to the touch of materials. The front seats are completely electric, the driver has four adjustments - along the length, height of the front and rear parts of the pillow and the corner of the backrest, and also equipped with a memory for two positions and heated. To fit the chair under himself did not make difficulty. It is moderately rigid, optimal sizes - under the driver of standard dimensions and, moreover, just beautiful, with original head restraints. The middle part is covered with perforated leather - in the summer is not so slippery.

 

The steering wheel of the optimal cross section and diameter, with a mechanical adjustment in height, but its range is small. The device selector is located in Europe - on the floor. The dashboard is not overloaded - only the most needed: speedometer, tachometer, fuel level in the tank and engine temperature. All other information is supplied with control lamps. The main place on the central console occupies a blue screen - an approximately 6-inch display, which is displayed from the onboard computer on fuel consumption, music and air conditioning. Managing all systems is simple and understandable, the instructions are not required. The BOSE stereo system works with CD, and with cassettes, the volume control is duplicated with a remote control on the steering wheel. On the ceiling, of course, there is a glance, on the center console between the seats - two cup holders, under the armrest cover (it is leaving 180 degrees, feeding two integrated coast with rear passengers) is hiding a large bin with a double bottom and a socket. The glove box is small, but comfortable. The cigarette lighter under the lid did not turn out - only the nest, and under the neighboring is not an ashtray, but a container for smallers, clapped with a darning material - it turns out, non-smoking machine.

 

The comfort of passengers of the second row was reacted with no less attention. Places are plentifully in width, and in height, the legs are not close even when the front seat is completely shifted. The backs have two fixed positions on the angle of inclination. The folding armrest is equipped with two cup holders, two more - in the trimming of doors. Climate control and back of the cabin autonomous light.

 

You can get on the third row by throwing the back of the second. Here, of course, no longer so free, but quite tolerant. Landing is quite convenient - thanks to the floor level of the floor, the legs do not have to bend greatly, as it happens in MDX classmates or mini-posah. And again - two cup holders in the side panels. Total turns ten - more than passengers. However, for America, this is not a record.

 

Access to the trunk - through the fifth door opens up. The bumper works like a footboard, which hints the pad in the form of stylized footprints. The possibilities of transformation of the cabin are really worthy of serious mini-Wen. The seats of the third and second rows are folded by one movement: when pressed on the lever, the back is lowered forward with the simultaneous displacement of the back and down the pillows - it turns out absolutely smooth floor. Do not move anything, crawl through the cabin, disconnecting the mounts, drag into the garage. In the floor of the trunk under the lid - compartment for head restraints and a small set of tools. Two more boxes with lids on the side panels. Outlet-time - outside, under the floor. Close the back door is not so flawless as four side.

 

At idle turns, the engine itself does not exhibit - neither noise nor vibrations. Low start from the spot pleases - the intensive set of speeds. Transfer switches smoothly and at the same time quickly, allowing the engine to unwind up to optimal revolutions. The machine is good - sensitive, fast, does not annoy the tube in transient modes.

 

The chassis left an ambiguous impression. The suspension is hard, transparent, even too. Thighters and joints make themselves known to sensitive blows, almost everything is transmitted to the body - accompanied by unpleasant sounds. After a while you start to travel around each hole. Tramways are in general trouble, and in turning on irregularities the car rearranges.

 

The steering wheel is sufficiently saturated with the reverse action, in the parking lots of one hand it is not easy to rotate. The stiffness of the suspension and the characteristics of the steering mechanism provide excellent handling. MDX enters the increments of MDX, seeks to outward turning (insufficient turning on dry coating - a consequence of the fact that the main torque flow is transmitted to the front axle), nevertheless the car remains under control and the steering wheel is completely controlled.

 

All tough suspension delivered troubles end up as soon as you choose on the highway with a good coating. Here everything is perfect: excellent course stability, clear zero on the steering wheel, no vertical splits. Handling - like a good passenger car.

 

The brakes work as well as expect - optimally and impact, and slowing down. ABS is not annoying premature inclusions. There are no complaints about the visibility, except that the inner mirror is not enough. An interesting point: when the rear transmission is turned on, the right outer mirror is automatically opened to the rear wheel for the convenience of maneuvering. As for noise, their main sources are the road and suspension. The engine manifests itself only on turns close to maximum. And the aerodynamic noises appear after 100 km / h.

 

What is the result? Beautiful, well-assembled all-wheel drive car with a powerful engine and comfortable, solid and at the same time universal interior. At the same time, rigid suspension and acute handling. Ideal for operation Acura MDX Conditions - Normal roads. However, this car did not think as a means of conquering virgin.

 

In Moscow, MDX costs without a small $ 65,000 - if you find. And you will find, so immediately get on board some longitudinal moldings, otherwise the neighbors in the parking lot you will then summarize.
 
 

Source: Motor magazine [№9 / 2001]