2014 Acura MDX SH-AWD - Mixed Feelings and ServiceRead more:
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/12_month_car_reviews/1407-2014-acura-mdx-mixed-feelings-and-service/#ixzz37Vntoh8w"The MDX doesn't look particularly huge from the outside, but it fit everyone comfortably, and we had no problems squeezing people into the back seat."
With the summer heat making us search for ways to cool off, associate web editor Eric Weiner commandeered our 2014 Acura MDX for -- you guessed it -- another road trip. This time, he took friends for a tour of Michigan's Dark Horse Brewery.
On the way home from the tour (Weiner drove and toured, rather than sampling the brews) the group of friends found the 2014 Acura MDX a capable highway cruiser.
"The MDX doesn't look particularly huge from the outside, but it fit everyone comfortably, and we had no problems squeezing people into the back seat," Weiner said. "The only problem is that the view out of the rear window is blocked by your friends' heads."
Read more:
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/12_month_car_reviews/1407-2014-acura-mdx-mixed-feelings-and-service/#ixzz37VnzrbSqSoon after, executive editor Todd Lassa spent a week with the 2014 Acura MDX, and came away with his opinion on the car mostly unchanged.
"It's a pretty forgettable, comfortable, semi-premium crossover that does everything you'd expect of it," he said, noting that his wife, Donna, also found little to endear her to the model.
Donna Lassa did report that the black plastic cover over the forward-facing camera fell off the windshield, but that she was able to snap it back into place without a hitch. A few days later, your author experienced the same problem after bouncing over a pothole in downtown Detroit. Fortunately, that coincided with the car's trip computer calling for a service appointment, so we booked the 2014 Acura MDX in at the local dealer.
The basic service, described as B16 in the cryptic maintenance-minder computer, consisted of an oil and filter change, and new rear differential fluid. Though our 2014 Acura MDX has relatively few miles, a service tech said that all Acura cars with the SH-AWD drivetrain need regular fluid changes. Fair enough, but the service totaled $236.17, of which only $80.86 was due to the oil change. As for the plastic camera cover, a technician noted that the plastic clips inside it were broken, as if someone had forcefully removed the cover. She said that often happens if a car's windshield is replaced, and sure enough, our Acura had new glass installed after the original windshield cracked in an icy blast. A replacement plastic cover took several days to order, but was covered for free by the dealer.
With the calendar turning to July, our 2014 Acura MDX was booked for another road trip, this time with senior editor Joe Lorio for a brief vacation in northern Michigan. Look for his report on the crossover's ability to carry four people and their luggage next month.
Read more:
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/12_month_car_reviews/1407-2014-acura-mdx-mixed-feelings-and-service/#ixzz37Vo3AVtmBody style 4-door crossover
Accommodation 7-passenger
Construction Steel unibody
Base price (with dest.)$57,400
As tested $57,400
Engine 24-valve SOHC V-6
Displacement 3.5 liters (212 cu in)
Power 290hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque 267lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
Transmission 6-speed automatic
Drive 4-wheel
EPA Fuel Economy 18/27/21 (city/hwy/combined)
Steering Electrically assisted
Lock-to-lock 3.1 turns
Turning circle 37.6 ft
Suspension, Front Strut-type, coil springs
Suspension, Rear Multilink, coil springs
Brakes F/R Vented discs/discs
Wheels 19-inch aluminum
Tires Michelin Latitude Tour HP
Tire size 245/55R-19 103H
Headroom F/R 38.1/38.3/35.6 in
Legroom F/R 41.4/36.6/28.1 in
Shoulder room F/R 61.1/59.1/54.7 in
Wheelbase 111.0 in
Track F/R 66.3/66.3 in
L x W x H 193.6 x 77.2 x 66.7 in
Passenger capacity 132.3 cu ft
Cargo capacity (behind r/m/f row)15.8/45.1/90.9 cu ft
Weight 4318 lb
Weight dist. F/R 57.9/42.1%
Fuel capacity 19.5 gal
Est. fuel range 410 miles
Fuel grade 91 octane (premium)
Standard Equipment
Milano leather-trimmed interior
Heated and ventilated front seats
Heated second-row outboard seats
115-volt power outlet
Adaptive cruise control
Forward collision prevention
Lane keeping assist
Keyless entry and ignition
Remote start
Rearview camera
Bluetooth
10-way power driver’s seat
Power tailgate
Power sunroof
LED headlights
Automatic tri-zone climate control
Rear seat entertainment w/16.2-inch display
Auto-dimming rearview and exterior mirrors
Front and rear parking assist
Navigation w/real-time traffic updates
Blind spot monitoring system
SiriusXM satellite radio
ELS Studio 12-speaker audio system
Roof rails
Rear sunshades
Packages & Options
None
