 2010 Acura MDX. Click image to enlarge |
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By Paul Williams
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2010 Acura MDX
2010 Lexus RX 350
The Canadian-built Acura MDX is the most popular vehicle in Acura’s model line-up. So popular in fact, that MDX sales were up about 17 per cent in 2009, which overall was one of the worst sales years in recent memory for the Canadian automotive industry.
So what is it about the MDX that people like so much? I’ve always felt that initially it’s the looks. The MDX is crisply designed and looks solid and expensive. It has a presence on the road, and over the years Acura has wisely evolved the design, without making radical changes to it.
It’s also the price. Acura has always tried to offer a luxury alternative that’s several thousand dollars below equivalent models from competing manufacturers. Starting at $51,990 (plus $1,895 freight/pre-delivery inspection) even the base MDX offers a lot of value.
  2010 Acura MDX. Click image to enlarge |
The 2010 model gets a “refreshed” exterior that includes a new grille and front fascia, revised hood, new side sills new rear fascia, revised taillights and new trim. The interior receives new gauges and a thicker steering wheel, but overall it’s the same winning MDX formula.
Under the hood, a revised 3.7-litre V6 engine makes 300 horsepower and 270 foot-pounds of torque. It’s mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission that has paddle shifters if you’re feeling sporty. But if your needs are more practical, the MDX will tow 5,000 pounds (trailer stability assist is standard).
The MDX can be purchased in base, Technology and Elite trim levels, all featuring Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The distinguishing characteristic of SH-AWD is its ability to shift torque between the rear wheels as well as from front-to-rear. This “torque vectoring” system provides the MDX with enhanced stability when cornering on all road surfaces (snowy, icy, dry, wet).
This is a seven-passenger vehicle, with a third row of seats that fold flat into the floor when not required. The second row also folds, but not quite flat, and that does consume some cargo space. With both rear rows down, there’s sufficient room to handle normal household requirements, although overall cargo space is reduced vertically by the third-row seats. There is access to additional storage space below the cargo floor, via a hinged panel.
This year, a power liftgate is standard. It’s a feature that you may not think you need, but after living with one for a while, you soon come to appreciate the extra practicality.
All of the expected amenities are present, even in the base $51,900 model that we are driving (Palladium Metallic with Taupe interior). Standard features include automatic climate control, express up/down power window for the driver, heated mirrors, heated seats, driver’s memory seating, trip computer, satellite radio, six-disc CD changerBluetooth “HandsFree Link,” power tilt and telescoping steering, backup camera, auto dimming mirror, leather seating surfaces, headlight washer system, fog lights, High Intensity Discharge low-beam headlights, moonroof, tinted glass, wood trim.
  2010 Acura MDX. Click image to enlarge |
It’s a long list, but as mentioned above, the Technology and Elite trim levels offer more. The $5,300 Technology package (includes navigation, rear entertainment, premium leather, premium audio) and $10,000 Elite package (Technology plus 19-inch wheels, collision mitigating system, active damper system, blind spot information system, roof rails, climate controlled front seats, adaptive cruise control) ramp up the luxury quotient, but our test vehicle, which has neither package, certainly doesn’t feel down-market.
The driving experience in the MDX is really quite sporty for a mid-sized SUV (even though it’s quite a large “mid-size” vehicle). The steering feels light and the brakes are sure. The ride is on the firm side, contributing to the overall agility of the vehicle.
On slippery, icy roads, the MDX feels very secure, easily managing slush and snow-covered roads. Heating and defrosting is very effective, with the MDX warming up quickly, even on very cold days. That said, the weather here has turned unseasonably warm, producing dry roads and pleasant temperatures. The MDX ride on smooth surfaces is calm and controlled, although it can become rather bouncy on uneven pavement.
Inside, the cabin is very quiet, with controls that are easy to understand and use. The Bluetooth HandsFree system is easy to set up, responding to your command of “pair phone” with straightforward instructions in natural language. The process of pairing my iPhone took 30 seconds.
 2010 Acura MDX. Click image to enlarge |
Fuel estimates for this vehicle are 13.2/9.6 L/100 km, city/highway. My mostly “around town” driving is returning 13.1 L/100 km based on the MDX trip computer. I feel this is very good for a vehicle of this type and size, although the MDX does require premium fuel.
So far, all comments that I have received about the MDX are positive. People like its looks (and have said so), and they are especially impressed by the interior finish and design.
My only complaints are that the outside rear-view mirrors seem rather small, and the taupe leather interior, attractive as it is, easily scuffs and marks. Also, some of the external gloss trim has scuffed, possibly because of a car wash. The MDX seems anything but fragile, but the scuffing is a shame.
A final observation is that the third row seating is rather a challenge to access (although it’s likely that only children will clamber back there). If you don’t need a seven-passenger vehicle, though, it’s too bad you can’t delete that third row. It would boost cargo space.
2010 Lexus RX 350
By Grant Yoxon
 2010 Lexus RX 350. Click image to enlarge |
The economical Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic might be Canada’s best known – and best selling – domestically-built cars, but Canada also builds quite a few luxury vehicles as well: the Lincoln MKX and MKT, Acura MDX, ZDX and CSX, and the Lexus RX 350. This latter vehicle is also a best seller – the best selling luxury SUV in Canada and one of the best selling SUVs in North America. And since 2003 they have been built here, in Canada, in Cambridge, Ontario.
The popularity of the RX can be attributed more to Lexus’ reputation for quality, customer service and resale value than to standard features or price. Not the least expensive and not the most well-equipped, the RX 350 is competitive with other models in this mid-size luxury crossover (or SUV, if you prefer) segment.
The RX 350 starts at $46,900 and includes such standard features as a 275-hp, 3.5-litre V6 engine with six-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive and stability control, power tilt and telescopic steering, dual zone climate control, nine-speaker audio system with six-disc in-dash CD changer and MP3, Bluetooth and satellite radio capability, eight-way power driver and passenger seats, power windows with auto up and down on all four windows, eight-inch LCD display, electroluminescent gauges, wood trim and variable intermittent rain sensing wipers.
 2010 Lexus RX 350. Click image to enlarge |
Our Matador Red tester is equipped with a Touring Package that adds a 12-speaker audio system, power rear door, navigation system, back-up camera, adaptive and auto-leveling Bi-Xenon HID headlights with automatic high beams, perforated leather seat surfaces with front seat heating and cooling, wood and leather wrapped steering wheel and 19-inch seven-spoke alloy rims. Being in the middle of the RX range, priced at $55,350 (plus delivery and taxes) it is likely the most popular trim level. A fully-loaded Ultra-Premium Package tops out at $62,700 plus delivery and taxes.
Changing the moniker from SUV to CUV is appropriate for on-demand, all-wheel drive vehicles like the RX 350. Certainly, with1,132 litres (40 cu. ft.) of cargo space (2,272 l/80.3 cu. ft. behind front seats), and a 1,587 kg (3,500 lb.) towing capacity, it has plenty of utility, but the emphasis in the RX is on comfort, not sport. The RX is at home in the urban environment and on the highway, not climbing rocky outcrops or fording fast running streams.
It is extremely quiet and comfortable with all but minor noise eliminated from its well-insulated cabin. The large leather seats, with eight-way adjustability and power lumbar support are perfect for long distance drives. Front seat passengers have the same adjustability, plus heating and cooling, as the driver.
  2010 Lexus RX 350. Click image to enlarge |
The layout of instruments is for the most part logical with every day adjustments made with steering wheel-mounted controls or buttons and knobs located an easy reach away on the central control panel. Fine tuning the climate or audio systems, operating the navigation system, or setting personal preferences, is performed with a console-mounted controller. When the cursor moves close to a setting on the screen, it is automatically drawn to it. A vibration in the controller feels like a click when the feature is selected. The only negative we noticed; the trip computer button and dash lighting adjuster – located to the left of the steering wheel – can’t be seen from the driver’s seat.
Comfortable also describes the RX 350’s ride, which keeps the frost heaves and pot holes of spring where they belong, on the road and not rattling your spine. But so good is the suspension at soaking up the cracks and crevices, so steady is the electric power steering, that at times the driver feels a bit detached. As well, the RX 350 feels heavy, despite excellent power and acceleration and sure-footed handling. The vehicle weighs 2,045 kg (4,510 lbs.) and despite the best efforts of Lexus engineering, it can’t hide the 190 kg it gained when redesigned for the 2010 model year.
Another concern – fuel economy: despite an Energuide rating of 11.6 L/100 km in the city, 8.2 L/100 km in the highway and 10.1 L/100 km combined, we couldn’t come close. The best we’ve managed is 11.4 on a trip to Toronto and back and 12.7 motoring around Ottawa. The RX 350 has a fuel consumption monitor that records fuel consumption and the best this particular vehicle achieved, by a previous driver, was 10.2 L/100 km. One has to assume this was a good day on the highway. The RX 350 uses premium fuel.
Still, it is easy to see what is so appealing in the Lexus RX 350. The build quality is superb. Gaps are nearly nonexistent. The paint is unblemished. Ride quality and creature comforts are what you would expect in a luxury vehicle. And as an owner you feel pampered, not only when driving but when waiting for an oil change at the Lexus dealer.
