2014 Acura MDX AWD Long-Term Update 1

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2014 Acura MDX AWD Long-Term Update 1

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/suvs/1404_2014_acura_mdx_sh_awd_update_1/

Playing the Numbers Game

Shortly after our MDX's arrival we took it to our test facility to run our standard instrumented testing, and the numbers were quite interesting, especially when compared to our recently returned long-term Acura RDX. Before I get into the numbers, let's look at the differences between the MDX and RDX. The MDX is longer, wider, and taller than the RDX, and weighs 470 pounds more. Both use a 3.5L V-6 mated to a six-speed automatic, but the MDX has 17 more horsepower and 16 more lb-ft of torque, a negligible advantage considering the extra weight it's carrying.

During our testing, the RDX made the sprint to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, while the MDX did the deed in 6.4 seconds. Quarter-mile times and speeds were almost identical, with the RDX running 14.9 seconds at 93.9 mph and the MDX stopping the timers at 14.9 seconds at 92.7 mph. Braking from 60 mph took 123 feet for the RDX, while the MDX needed a mere 116 feet. The biggest difference in performance was in our figure eight testing. The RDX ran the course in 27.8 seconds with a max lateral acceleration of 0.77 g (avg), while the bigger and heavier MDX ran the course in 26.5 seconds with a max lat of 0.85 g (avg). A difference of more than a second is a lifetime on a track, especially one as short as our figure eight course. It seems the SH-AWD system really does make a significant difference.

Off the track the MDX feels livelier and sportier, rides more smoothly, and gets just 1 mpg lower EPA rating compared to the RDX. The SH-AWD system is one factor in the improved performance; the Integrated Dynamic System (IDS) also plays a role. The IDS system gives you three modes: Comfort, Normal, and Sport. Comfort reduces steering effort for low-effort maneuverability, especially in tight spaces, while Normal balances steering effort between comfortable and sporty. Sport mode provides the greatest changes, giving the MDX a firmer steering feel with higher effort. This mode also adjusts throttle response and SH-AWD torque proportioning, and makes the Active Noise Control system (more on that in future updates) provide a more aggressive engine note.


Our Car:

Service life    8508 mi
Average fuel economy    19.6 mpg
CO2 emissions    0.99 lb/mi
EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ    18/27/21 mpg
Energy consumption    172 kW-hr/100mi
Unresolved problems    None
Maintenance cost    $0
Normal-wear cost    $0

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/suvs/1404_2014_acura_mdx_sh_awd_update_1/#ixzz2yT396h1d

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http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/suvs/1407_2014_acura_mdx_sh_awd_update_3/

2014 Acura MDX SH-AWD Long-Term Update 3
Commuting In Comfort

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/suvs/1407_2014_acura_mdx_sh_awd_update_3/#ixzz37VoTXTYh

I spend a lot of time commuting from home to the office, and I mean a lot. Even though my drive is only 35 miles from door to door, it takes me, on average, three hours a day total. That's 15 hours a week just sitting in stop-and-go traffic. If you're not in a comfortable vehicle, time spent behind the wheel can feel like an eternity. Fortunately for me I have the Acura MDX for my commute.

For me, the seats in the MDX are pretty much perfect. Not too firm, not too soft, and I have support every place I want supported, from my legs and thighs to my lower back up to my shoulders. The seat bottom tilts perfectly to support the bottom of my thighs and the bolstering supports the side, keeping my legs from resting on the door or dash, which would get annoying. The same goes for the seat back. It supports from my shoulders to my lower back, and the side bolsters keep my back from moving from side to side during cornering.

Seating position is as important as the seat itself. And again, for me the MDX is perfect. I'm tall, so I usually have to slide the seat almost all the way back, but in the MDX I actually have a little extra room to move back if needed. Then there is the steering-wheel position in relation to my seating position, and again, it's perfect. Thanks to the telescopic steering wheel I'm not forced to drive straight-armed, which on a long trip becomes very tiresome. I have the perfect amount of bend in my arm while driving without giving up any legroom.

The final piece of the commuting puzzle is in Acura's IDS system. Again, there are three settings, Comfort, Normal, and Sport. In my commute the Comfort setting is just too soft and lazy. In stop-and-go traffic I need the vehicle to react when I want it to react, and when in Comfort mode the MDX doesn't. Normal mode is definitely better, but I have found the IDS system's Sport mode to work best with the transmission in Normal, because Sport is too sporty in traffic. The throttle is not overly sensitive and the transmission responds the way I want it to. I look forward to my time in the MDX. Whether I'm sitting in rush-hour traffic or making a long road trip, the MDX performs perfectly.

Our Car
Service life    19,667 mi
Average fuel economy    20.6 mpg
CO2 emissions    0.94 lb/mi
EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ    18/27/21 mpg
Energy consumption    164 kW-hr/100mi
Unresolved problems    None
Maintenance cost    $363.16 (2-oil change, tire rotation, inspection; 1-rear diff fluid change)
Normal-wear cost    $0

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/suvs/1407_2014_acura_mdx_sh_awd_update_3/#ixzz37Voiorw7
 
 
 

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http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/suvs/1408_2014_acura_mdx_sh_awd_update_4/

2014 Acura MDX SH-AWD Long-Term Update 4
On the Road Again and Again

Not only does my family think the MDX to be a perfect road trip vehicle, but it's also been on several adventures with various MT staffers. Some of those adventures were family-related; some work-related; and others friend-related.


Senior art director Andy Mock's family of four took the MDX on a road trip to South Lake Tahoe then headed over to Monterey, California, then back home, covering just over 1200 miles. Not only did they have no complaints, but they had nothing but good things to say about their time in the MDX. "Spacious, comfortable for both the driver and front passenger, as well as those riding in the back, and the DVD system kept the kids happy for hours," Mock reported.


Loaded up and ready for an adventure into the snow, the MDX gobbled up all the gear thrown at it.
Brenda De Guzman, a producer at our video partner Mind Over Eye, spent a week in the MDX as video/production support for our Best Driver's Car program. The MDX could go anyplace it was needed and was able to haul not just video equipment, but also supplies to keep the photographers and video cameramen fed and hydrated. There is nothing worse than being in the middle of nowhere and not having enough resources to keep the production going.

Last and certainly not least is our manager of visual assets, Brian Vance, who took the MDX for a long getaway with some friends. Brian enjoys the outdoors, and when you go on outdoor adventures, you tend to bring quite a bit of stuff and supplies. And the MDX had no problem hauling everything Brian needed. Everyone who has driven the MDX gave it glowing praise for everything -- comfort, space, fuel economy, sportiness -- but everyone had the same question: How is it that the MDX costs $57,000? They all said if it were about $10,000 less expensive it would be the perfect vehicle.

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/suvs/1408_2014_acura_mdx_sh_awd_update_4/#ixzz3CFEpUspC

Our Car:

Service life    23,718 mi
Average fuel economy    20.7 mpg
CO2 emissions    0.94 lb/mi
EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ    18/27/21 mpg
Energy consumption    163 kW-hr/100 mi
Unresolved problems    None
Maintenance cost    $363.16 (2-oil change, tire rotation, inspection; 1-rear diff fluid change)
Normal-wear cost    $0

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2014 Acura MDX SH-Awd Long-Term Update 5 :

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/suvs/1410_2014_acura_mdx_sh_awd_update_5/