Topic: Long-Term Test Wrap-up: 2014 Acura MDX Elite

[Autos_Editor]

The Acura MDX has made it through rain, sleet, and snow in its two months with Senior Editor Jonathan Yarkony and impressed a whole raft of reviewers besides.

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[Benhaze]

I recognize the following is strictly a personal opinion based on guts and not facts; something I rarely do... I find the new MDX outside design awful, so much that this model makes the previous one a much better looking one. Montrealers are fond of Acuras, especially of the MDX, yet I only saw one on the road since the new model is out. I don't think this MDX is going to do as well as the previous model.

Usually technology can win me over. Not in this case. SH-AWD used to be an ace in Honda's portfolio but now torque vectoring is no longer a novelty. I seriously considered the TL until I found out the front wheels can easily spin before torque is transferred to the rear wheels which makes the SH-AWD still a bit more reactive than proactive system.

I can see the MDX is still an interesting proposition for someone who wants something more dynamic than most  of the domestic 3-row SUVs and cheaper than the Germans. As far as I am concerned, I would rather spend less and get an Explorer Sport or Flex 3.5L Ecoboost over the MDX, especially if leased. Or perhaps stretch for a GL less equipped.

[mmret]

TL spinning the fronts before the rears kick into action?

In my experience this won't happen unless you're hammering it in the snow. Its a Honda, there's not that much torque.

[Snowman]

I recognize the following is strictly a personal opinion based on guts and not facts; something I rarely do... I find the new MDX outside design awful, so much that this model makes the previous one a much better looking one. Montrealers are fond of Acuras, especially of the MDX, yet I only saw one on the road since the new model is out. I don't think this MDX is going to do as well as the previous model.

Usually technology can win me over. Not in this case. SH-AWD used to be an ace in Honda's portfolio but now torque vectoring is no longer a novelty. I seriously considered the TL until I found out the front wheels can easily spin before torque is transferred to the rear wheels which makes the SH-AWD still a bit more reactive than proactive system.

I can see the MDX is still an interesting proposition for someone who wants something more dynamic than most  of the domestic 3-row SUVs and cheaper than the Germans. As far as I am concerned, I would rather spend less and get an Explorer Sport or Flex 3.5L Ecoboost over the MDX, especially if leased. Or perhaps stretch for a GL less equipped.

  Where did you learn that, cracker jack box?

[Benhaze]

Tss Tss Tss Snowman, you should know better  . I usually spend too much time writing my posts here (more details than it is worth doing so) to insinuate a candy box is my source of information. I will try to find an evidence I came across years ago but won't spend hours doing so.

And no it was not on snow.

But I do still recognize that SH-AWD is still one of the better AWD systems.

[Benhaze]

Here is one example that it is possible to spin the front wheels of the TL SH-AWD. See at 1:20 of this video review:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQJJAMrGKQ0

[Snowman]

Tss Tss Tss Snowman, you should know better  . I usually spend too much time writing my posts here (more details than it is worth doing so) to insinuate a candy box is my source of information. I will try to find an evidence I came across years ago but won't spend hours doing so.

And no it was not on snow.

But I do still recognize that SH-AWD is still one of the better AWD systems.

Yes it is, and why I was confused by your post.

[Waterlooresident]

Hey, it's a great vehicle, but has anyone noticed that the world is rather quickly running out of easily available CHEAP oil, and the results are quickly escalating gasoline prices?

I think that by year's end we will see a Liter of gas hitting $2, and by the end of 2015 it will be $2.40.  End of 2016 = $3 per liter. 
like it or not, in 2 years time it will cost you double of what it cost now just to fill up your tank. 

Will your employer double your take-home pay to make up for this?  Doubt it.

[evil_twin]

Hey, it's a great vehicle, but has anyone noticed that the world is rather quickly running out of easily available CHEAP oil, and the results are quickly escalating gasoline prices?

I think that by year's end we will see a Liter of gas hitting $2, and by the end of 2015 it will be $2.40.  End of 2016 = $3 per liter. 
like it or not, in 2 years time it will cost you double of what it cost now just to fill up your tank. 

Will your employer double your take-home pay to make up for this?  Doubt it.

 

10-yr chart of gas prices in Ontario:

You'll note prices have fluctuated in the same band for the last 4 years.   Obviously they will rise with time, but $3/L in 2016 is a ridiculous prediction.

Run for the hills!!

Also, what the heck does this have to do with the MDX?

[mixmanmash]

Stop feeding the negative troll.

[mmret]

Hey, it's a great vehicle, but has anyone noticed that the world is rather quickly running out of easily available CHEAP oil, and the results are quickly escalating gasoline prices?

I think that by year's end we will see a Liter of gas hitting $2, and by the end of 2015 it will be $2.40.  End of 2016 = $3 per liter. 
like it or not, in 2 years time it will cost you double of what it cost now just to fill up your tank. 

Will your employer double your take-home pay to make up for this?  Doubt it.

 

10-yr chart of gas prices in Ontario:

You'll note prices have fluctuated in the same band for the last 4 years.   Obviously they will rise with time, but $3/L in 2016 is a ridiculous prediction.

Run for the hills!!

Also, what the heck does this have to do with the MDX?

IMHO the predictions of monsterous gas prices is a bit misplaced -- ICE is getting more and more efficient all the time and hybrids are I think really going to pick up market share in the next 10 years (both in US/EU and, maybe the 10 years after that, in emerging markets).

Yes we'll still have energy issues but it'll be alleviated a fair bit once we can get out of the ~90m bbl/day habit. US oil demand probably peaked back in 08 (was nearly 21m/day, now something like 19).

[Waterlooresident]

THANKS FOR THAT GRAPH / CHART !!! 
Wow, I was way off.
I sure do hope gas prices rise at that slow rate and won't accelerate any time soon.
Again; thanks and have a nice day!