Acura MDX

Acura MDX
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Also called	Honda MDX
Production	2001-present (Acura) 2003-2006 (Honda)
Assembly	Alliston, Ontario, Canada
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size crossover SUV
Layout	Front engine, four-wheel drive
Powertrain
Transmission	5-speed automatic, 6-speed automatic
Chronology
Predecessor	Acura SLX

The Acura MDX, or Honda MDX as known in Japan and Australia, is a mid-size crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automaker Acura since the 2001 model year. The MDX is the first crossover SUV to have third-row seating. It is related to the Honda Pilot. The Alphanumeric moniker stands for "Multi-Dimensional luXury". It is built by Honda of Canada Manufacturing Ltd. in Alliston, Ontario, Canada. It was introduced in late 2000 as a 2001 model, replacing the slow-selling U.S.-only body-on-frame SLX, based on the Isuzu Trooper. In Japan, it filled a gap when the Honda Horizon (also based on the Trooper) was discontinued in 1999. In 2003, the Honda MDX went on sale in Japan and Australia. Australian MDXs were all equipped with the 2001-2003 Touring 'Kiwi' style wheels and were all equipped with the Rear-Seat DVD entertainment system. Acura is currently creating a crossover to slot above the MDX.

2001-2006

First Generation Acura MDX
Overview
Production	2001-2006 (Acura) 2003-2006 (Honda)
Designer	Frank Paluch (engineering), Ricky Hsu (styling)
Body and chassis
Body style	5-door SUV
Related	Honda Pilot Honda Odyssey Honda Accord Acura TL
Powertrain
Engine	3.5 L V6 253 hp (189 kW) 250 lb⋅ft (340 N⋅m)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	106.3 in (2700 mm)
Length	Template:Auto in
Width	77 in (1955 mm)
Height	Base: Template:Auto in Touring: 71.3 in (1811 mm)
Curb weight	4451 lb (2023 kg)

Derived from Honda's Global mid-size platform which underpins cars like the Honda Accord, Acura TL, Acura TSX and Honda Odyssey, it is powered by a J35A3 3.5 L SOHC 24 valve V6 with VTEC. 2001-2002 3.5 V6's models produce 240 hp (180 kW) and 245 lb⋅ft (332 N⋅m) of torque from 3000 to 5000 rpm. 2003-2006 3471 cc (3.5 in x 3.6 in) model engine produces 265 hp (198 kW) and 253 lb⋅ft (343 N⋅m) . Curb weight is 4,451 lb (2,019 kg) , with a 106.3 in (2,700 mm) wheelbase and 8 in (200 mm) of ground clearance. The cargo floor can flip up to provide two additional seats. The vehicle is designed to hold 7 passengers, but the third row seats are small.

The vehicle features an automatic four wheel drive system (named VTM-4) that engages during off the line acceleration as well as when wheel slippage is detected. Additionally, the system offers a lock mode which can be activated and operated at low speeds and provides permanent 4wd and the equivalent of a locked rear differential; designed for climbing steep hills and getting out of stuck situations. To reduce drivetrain noise and increase fuel efficiency, the system runs as front wheel drive during normal cruising. The VTM-4 AWD system in the MDX is identical to the VTM-4 systems in the Honda Pilot and Honda Ridgeline. It is different than the real time AWD system in the Honda CR-V in that it can lock and it attempts to predict when traction will be lost and apply power to all four wheels before slippage occurs (by monitoring throttle inputs). The Honda CR-V system waits for slippage to occur and then sends power back.

2003 and later models use a 5-speed automatic transmission. The 2001 and 2002 models use a 5 speed automatic transmission which suffered a significant numbers of transmission problems that were similar to the problems with the Acura CL and TL. However, they did not get the benefit of the free extended warranty that the Acura CL and TL received. The 2003 - 2006 models transmissions have so far shown normal failure rates. The 2003 and later models also received a number of structural and suspension modifications to help improve ride and handling.

The navigation system and DVD entertainment system options were mutually exclusive in the 2002 model. Both could be ordered at the same time since the 2003 model. The navigation option comes with a rear view video camera since the 2003 model. Since 2005 the navigation system featured information from Zagat about restaurants and other points of interest. The 2003 model was rated as Ultra Low Emission Vehicle. The United States Environmental Protection Agency‎ estimates 23 mpg_‑US (10 L/100 km; 28 mpg_‑imp) highway and 17 mpg_‑US (14 L/100 km; 20 mpg_‑imp) city.

2004-2006 Acura MDX

The 2001-2006 MDXs' generally offer better gas mileage than competing SUVs and crossovers of similar size, interior volume, and weight (Ford Explorer and BMW X5 for example).

In the 2003 model, the engine was improved to produce 20 hp (15 kW) more power than the 2002 model and wheel designs were updated. The 2004 model received an additional 5 hp (4 kW). The 2004 model features dual tail pipes instead of the single pipe in earlier models, side curtain airbags, new head lights and tail lights, and new wheels. Some chrome trimmings on the 2004 model use matte finish to distinguish from the polished shiny finish on earlier models. Little changed for the MDX during the 2006 model year with a few minor revisions to the vehicle's chrome and faux wood interior trim.

2007-present (2G MDX)

Second Generation Acura MDX
Overview
Production	2007-present
Designer	Frank Paluch (engineering), Ricky Hsu (styling)
Body and chassis
Body style	5-door SUV
Related	Honda Pilot Honda Odyssey Honda Ridgeline
Powertrain
Engine	3.7L (3664 cc) 24 valve SOHC V6 VTEC 300 bhp (224 kW; 304 PS) @ 6000 rpm 275 lb⋅ft (373 N⋅m) @ 5000 rpm
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Template:Auto in
Length	2007-09: Template:Auto in 2010-: Template:Auto in
Width	2007-09: Template:Auto in 2010-: Template:Auto in
Height	2007-09: Template:Auto in 2010-: Template:Auto in
Curb weight	4,541 lb (2,060 kg)-4,551 lb (2,064 kg)

On April 11, 2006 during the New York International Auto Show, Acura unveiled the 2007 Acura MD-X Concept, showing to the public an indication about the exterior styling of the upcoming completely redesigned MDX. The second-generation MDX was released on October 17, 2006.

The second generation model's body has a wider track and longer wheelbase than the previous MDX, but visibility to the rear has worsened from the prior generation. The redesigned Acura MDX's unit-body was engineered with Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure designed to absorb energy from a collision. The suspension was tuned at Germany's Nürburgring race track. The engine was upgraded to a 3.7 liter V6 tuned for 300 hp (220 kW) and Template:Auto ft.lbf of torque and is estimated by the EPA to have 15 miles per US gallon (16 L/100 km; 18 mpg_‑imp) in the city and 20 miles per US gallon (12 L/100 km; 24 mpg_‑imp) on the highway. The VTM-4 all-wheel drive system of the previous generation was replaced by the new SH-AWD "Super Handling All-Wheel Drive" previously debuted on the 2005 Acura RL.

Like all Acuras, the MDX comes with a high level of standard equipment, including a power moonroof, leather interior, and high intensity discharge (Xenon) low beam headlights.

Three option packages are available: Sport, Technology and Entertainment.

• The Technology Package includes the Acura/Alpine DVD-based satellite GPS navigation system with AcuraLink satellite communications with real-time traffic reporting (XM NavTraffic), a 410-watt Acura/ELS DTS Surround audio system with XM Satellite Radio, rearview camera, and a remote powered liftgate, operated either from the key's remote, inside the car or directly from the lift gate.

• The Sport Package features active suspension dampers (co-developed by Honda and Delphi) that dynamically improves handling according to road conditions with a button in the center stack to switch to Sport/Comfort modes. This Comfort/Sport mode uses magneto rheological dampers, which change their characteristics when a magnetic field is introduced (usually in milliseconds). The Sport package also includes unique 5-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels, perforated leather seats and the items in the Technology package.

• The Entertainment Package offers a flip-down 9-inch (230 mm) LCD screen with 2 wireless Dolby Digital headphones, second-row heated outboard seats, and a unique center-stack silver trim. The Entertainment Package is only available on Sport or Technology Package models as compared to the 1st Generation MDX where the Entertainment Package was available as a standalone package on Touring Models.

All Canadian Acura MDX models, aside from the heated front seats, also get the second-row heated outboard seats as standard equipment as well. A feature unique to Canadian MDX models is headlight washers. In terms of packages, Canadian MDX models get only two: Technology and Elite. The Technology package corresponds essentially to the US model's Technology package while the Elite package is an amalgamation of the US model's Sport and Entertainment packages. However, AcuraLink real-time traffic reporting through XM NavTraffic is unavailable for Canadian MDX models.

Like the 1st generation model, the new generation is manufactured by Honda of Canada Manufacturing Ltd. in Alliston, Ontario, Canada. But along with the 2007 RDX, the new MDX was the first Acura model to pass the Acura Quality Line, a special quality control and verification process separate from the other Honda vehicles.

In May 2007, the MDX was tested by the Car and Driver magazine against the Volkswagen Touareg, Volvo XC90 Sport, Lexus GX470, Mercedes-Benz ML350, Cadillac SRX AWD V-8, BMW X5, and Land Rover LR3. The MDX won the comparison by a vast margin.

The redesigned MDX overtook the TL as Acura's top seller in the United States. It is also Acura's best-selling vehicle in Canada since the vehicle was redesigned.

2008

For 2008 the MDX received a new auto-dimming rearview mirror.

2009

The 2009 MDX had added more upgrades to the navigation system and there are two new colors added. The power tailgate, previously available only with the Entertainment package, is now included with Technology and Sport packages.

2010

The 2010 MDX gets a facelift, adopting Acura's new "Power Plenum" grille that debuted on its 2009 model year sedans. The most important upgrades to the 2010 model are a new 3.7-liter engine and a new 6-speed SportShift automatic transmission. An Advance package is now available that includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Active Damper Suspension, 19 inch wheels and tires, Ventilated seats and paddle shifters. Non-navigation equipped MDX models now have a rear view camera monitor located in the rear view mirror.

Safety

The MDX will withstand a rear collision up to 50 miles (80 km) an hour, well above the basic 35 mph (56 km/h) standard currently required by the NHTSA. However, rear-window visibility is worse than in previous models.

Awards

• The MDX won the North American Truck of the Year award for 2001.
• The MDX was also Car and Driver magazine's Best Luxury SUV.
• Motor Trend magazine's Sport/Utility of the Year that year.
• The MDX also won the Top Safety Pick award for the 2007 model year.

US sales figures

Calendar Year	Total American sales
2000	9,750
2001	40,950
2002	52,955
2003	57,281
2004	59,505
2005	57,948
2006	54,121
2007	58,606
2008	45,377

External links

• MDX Official Site
• MDX Enthusiast Site
• Best Russian Acura Owners Forum and FAQ
• Online Acura MDX Owners Community (Русскоязычный Клуб Акур)
• AcuraMDXClub.ru (Russian)