MDX is a seven-passenger crossover SUV that's been a hit for Acura since introduced in 2001. It was by far its best-seller last year and was passed this year to date by the successfully redone RDX smaller crossover only the outgoing 2013 MDX was being sold down.
"There's a lot of (FWD) interest in some regions, and the mileage improvement helps," says Jan Moore, product planner for the MDX, hot off the successful remake of RDX, on which she also was product planner.
The 2014 MDX, on sale since June 20, is a full redo -- new chassis, updated drivetrain, new interior, new array of models. Acura's' now selling FWD versions of every MDX model, giving each trim line a better starting price than it otherwise would have had.
Pricing is a key tactic to making the shopping list cut for buyers who use the Internet to shop and search by price.
The new front-drive base model starts at $43,185 including shipping. That's $990 less than the 2013 base model, which had all-wheel drive.
For 2014, the lowest-price AWD model is $45,185, $1,010 more than the lowest-price AWD model in the 2013 lineup. The four-wheel system is an update of Acura's sporty SH-AWD system, with up to 30-70 front-rear torque split and up to 100% side to side.
In another smaller pricing change, Acura has departed slightly from its pattern of package-only upgrades to offer some popular features a la carte, including remote start, heated steering wheel and LED fog lights.
Power comes from a new, more efficient, 3.5-liter, 290-horsepower V6 with direct injection and Honda's I-VTEC design and cylinder cutoff of three cylinders under lower loads. Torque is 267 lb.-ft., up 8%
Even the MDX AWD model enjoys a big jump in fuel-economy ratings vs, the 2013 with a 3.7-liter V6 that was not known for high mileage:
•2014 FWD: 20 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, 23 mpg in combined city/highway driving.
•2014 AWD: 18/27/21.
•2013 AWD (only drive available): 16/21/18.
Beyond bragging rights in ads, such mpg leaps will be needed to help meet the tightening federal mileage requirements.
The new three-row family hauler has changes that aim to improve second-row comfort and third-row access. The second-row seat backs recline and the base slides up to six inches fore and aft to balance needs for room in the rear two rows. A new one-touch folding system for the second-row seats replaces previous multiple levers for easier third-row access.
The technology upgrades include a new version of the AcuraLink infotainment system with greater smartphone integration and a new, bigger-screen rear entertainment system with that has inputs for a variety of content sources, including an HDMI port.
The center stack has an eye-level 8-inch navigation screen and a lower, 7-inch multi-function control screen with haptic feedback (vibration). The combination let Acura cut the number of knobs and switches from 41 to 9. That cleans up the look, but leaves some actions impossible to do without time with your eyes off the road. The did, however, leave -- thank you -- a small knob to control the audio volume.
Safety system changes include include a driver's knee airbag and Honda's advanced ACE structure that has been acing crash tests, including the new small frontal offset crash. While a multi-angle backup camera now is standard, some other advanced safety tech -- including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping warning and assist, front collision warning and mitigation braking and a blind spot system -- is now available, but you have to pay etxra.
The new MDX is made for the U.S. at the Honda America plant in Lincoln, Ala.
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