   2014 Acura MDX Elite. Click image to enlarge |
Review and photos by Jonathan Yarkony
Odometer at pick-up: 13,498 km
Odometer current: 19,770 km (6,272 km by Autos.ca)
Observed Fuel Consumption: 13.3 L/100 km
Costs: $983.086 (Gas)
So ends a happy, safe winter behind the wheel of the Acura MDX. As we wrap up this long-term test, I wanted to look back at our time in it, but also cover the driving experience and some of the high-tech driving aids that we saw in action throughout our months in the sporty crossover.
First of all, the engine: it’s a sweetheart. A 3.5L V6 with cylinder deactivation, direct injection and i-VTEC producing 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque is up to the task of moving this 1,970 kg SUV briskly, though the transmission was a little behind the curve. Before we get into that, some more praise for the V6: it’s smooth on its way up through the tach, delivers sufficient low-end pull, and as promised by the i-VTEC variable valve timing and lift control, continues to deliver a second wave of power if you keep pushing, and it makes the right kind of zingy noises to encourage the occasional blast upwards of 4,000 rpm.
On the efficiency side, this V6 is equipped with direct injection and cylinder deactivation, able to shut down half of its cylinders when cruising calmly. Despite EPA ratings that suggest significant improvement over the previous generation (13.1/8.7/11.2 L/100 km city/highway/combined vs 14.7/11.2/13.1, we landed at 13.3 L/100 km as calculated from fuel receipts and odometer reading. I managed 14.0 in a test of the 2012 MDX.
We consistently tracked our fuel consumption at over 13 and often 14 in a mix of suburban commuting and weekend highway runs during this cold, harsh winter. Curiously, the trip computer consistently showed optimistic ratings starting with 11 and 12, and this is the first time the calculated consumption has failed to match the trip computer by the end of a long-term test to within a few decimal points – the MDX was at least a full L/100 km off. While contributors Steven Bochenek and Justin Pritchard both took the MDX to northern destinations, one for a skiing weekend and the other because he lives there, God bless him, this did little to help the overall average, although Justin did manage one pure highway run right around 10.
The six-speed automatic transmission earned numerous complaints from other drivers, namely that it was a bit slow on the uptake, shifting early, taking its sweet time and reluctant to downshift. I generally thought it was just fine in normal Drive mode, unless I was in a big rush, at which point Sport mode quickened the pace by holding gears longer and downshifting at the slightest prod. Racing enthusiasts Jacob Black and Stephanie Wallcraft both thought Sport should be the default, and Steven likewise thought Sport mode “takes the MDX from a sensible family solution to a fun pastime.”
  2014 Acura MDX Elite. Click image to enlarge |
Complementing the Sport mode in the transmission is the Integrated Dynamic System (IDS) that adjusts steering effort, throttle response, SH-AWD, and even the sound of the engine to suit one’s mood or temperament: Comfort, Normal and Sport. Honestly, the differences here were subtle, the most noticeable aspect being a slightly more weighty steering. Steven found the steering “well calibrated, becoming firmer with greater speed, as you’d want.” However, Brendan, in a west-coast comparison with an almost identical MDX Elite vs the Lexus RX350, found that “while there’s a very odd slackness to the steering dead on centre, start pushing the MDX a little and it responds.” I’d say it’s okay for an SUV and leave it at that.
Unconnected to the driver-selectable IDS modes, the MDX’s strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension incorporate an amplitude reactive damper that adjusts damping based on road conditions and driving input, but does not firm up in response to IDS Sport mode being selected. I could have tolerated a bit more firmness in the ride for better control of body roll, but I found the ride occasionally crashy and noisy, moreso than expected at this price point and with such a compliant suspension. Other than that, the cabin was fair at suppressing external noise.
     2014 Acura MDX Elite. Click image to enlarge |
Although we’d like to see a bit of improvement from the suspension department, we had nothing but love for the Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system. Pritchard raved: “Very smooth AWD power transfer – no drama whatsoever.” Black concurred: “The SH-AWD actually is pretty super. It has enough rear-bias when you need it to throttle steer – not that I’m into that sort of thing.” We grabbed a quick pic of the little display gauge that demonstrates the SH-AWD’s ability to shift virtually all of the engine’s torque to the outside rear wheel in order to provide unexpected dynamic prowess powering around corners. A little more chassis stiffness and suspension sorting would turn this into a world-beater, but it’s not quite at the dynamic level of the next price bracket up like the X5 and Range Rover Sport even if the AWD system is.
In more sedate, mundane duty, the SH-AWD is an invisible guiding hand that ensures safety in slippery conditions, and a good set of winter tires will take it to another level. The Goodyear Ultragrip Winters fitted to the MDX were okay in cold, dry and wet, but not confidence-inspiring in slush, deep snow or ice. The brakes were so natural in feel and effective that I never once questioned they would be up to the task.
On the advanced safety front, the MDX Elite is equipped with adaptive cruise control that maintains a set distance to the car ahead, but adds Lane Keeping Assist to provide gentle steering inputs to keep you in your lane. Of the adaptive cruise control systems I’ve experienced, this was actually one of the more abrupt and jerky ones. I suspect the sensors need more range or sensitivity, because it seemed delayed in picking up distant slow-moving traffic and would then have to brake rather jarringly. In tighter traffic, it also seemed to lurch ahead and brake rather sharply, and I often felt uncomfortable enough to have to get on the brakes myself – it just didn’t earn enough trust from me because of its lack of smoothness and anticipation. In Audis I’ve driven with this feature engaged, it amazes me how smoothly it gauges and responds to varying speeds and maintains distance and evens out speed when following in tight traffic.
Related to the adaptive cruise, the forward collision alert functioned as desired, perhaps a bit overcautious when passing vehicles vacating the lane ahead, but better safe than sorry and a couple alerts were well timed, though I was not in any real risk, I believe.
The Lane Keeping Assist was a novelty to try out, and I think I would embrace it. With adaptive cruise engaged, it did a fair job of reading lane markings and nudging the car back into one’s lane when drifting, and even followed curves surprisingly well. However, if you forget it’s on, it sure is weird to have the steering wheel tug your hands along and Brendan noted that it performed poorly in heavy rain. Supplementing these systems are blind-spot monitoring (lights and audible warnings) and lane-deaprture warning (a simple beep when crossing lane markings).
At your destination (or when departing), the low-speed safety and convenience aid of the Surround View Camera were superb (when ensuring the lenses are kept clean). While visibility is decent, the complete view of all sides made lining up with curbs and slotting in and out of tight spaces easy and brought a certain video-game fun to the task.
For night-time driving the most important safety feature becomes your headlights and Acura’s “Jewel-Eye” LED headlights offer clear and crisp illumination. Justin Pritchard, testing them on dark country highways, noted, “Near perfect headlights, especially high beam.” While LED bulbs should last the lifetime of ownership, repair costs are significant should anything damage them.
  2014 Acura MDX Elite. Click image to enlarge |
Our last update on the MDX thoroughly covered my litany of issues with the infotainment system, and I’m not alone. Brendan offered this insight: “Acura still hasn’t got its control interface right yet… The new dual-screen setup with the haptic-feedback touchscreen isn’t quite there yet, and can be really quite distracting to use.” Unfortunately, we can’t publish Jacob’s thoughts on this interface, but suffice to say it was colourful, though he did appreciate the large, easy-to-find heated steering wheel button. Anyhow, there are a lot of features here, but they need to be better managed.
 2014 Acura MDX Elite. Click image to enlarge |
Despite the difficulties in usability, the materials and craftsmanship were all reassuring to the touch, with an unexpectedly rich wood trim providing a simple, natural contrast to the busy technology. Of all the features the MDX offers, the console storage cover with the dark, open-pore wood lined with grippy rubber strips was my favourite aspect of the interior and the thing I miss the most when switching through various cars. It was a perfect place to keep one’s phone close at hand but out of distracting sight, with easy access to the USB charging point in the console beneath.
In family duty around town, the MDX’s size was generous and convenient, plenty of space inside for storage without being so large that it is ungainly to drive, and seating was at a reasonable height for both me and my wife to access the cabin and secure our kids in the child seats. However, Steven requests on behalf of all skiing families: “A simple channel that flattens through the middle, rather than taking out three seats and cartage space, could improve things significantly.”
While the MDX was saddled with high expectations, it delivered on its core competencies of luxury, practicality, capability and sportiness. In winning its comparison versus the RX, Brendan concluded: “It’s a surprisingly good drive, a well-polished product overall.” It’s not perfect, especially its technology interface, and its fuel consumption still seems like it should be better considering the powertrain innovations, but it also hovers in an almost uncontested segment of seven-seat luxury SUVs offering good value. What it lacks for in dynamics and cachet it makes up for in value compared to European stock. At $65,990 the MDX Elite is loaded with technology and conveniences, looks the part of a premium family transport and will make many practical but demanding shoppers very happy.
Pricing: 2014 Acura MDX Elite
Base Price: $49,990
Base Price (Premium AWD): $65,990
Options: None
A/C Tax: $100
Destination: $1,995
Price as tested: $68,085
Competitors:
Audi Q7
BMW X5
Buick Encore/GMC Acadia Denali
Cadillac SRX/Escalade
Infiniti QX60
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Lexus RX/GX
Lincoln MKT
Mercedes-Benz ML-Class/GL-Class
Crash Test Results:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
