2007 Acura MDX Review New Hampshire

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Introduction

Acura MDX - 2007 Review: Picture in your mind a sport sedan. One with all-wheel drive, an active damper system, and responsive steering and brakes. Give it a powerful V6 engine and a quick-shifting automatic transmission with a seamless shift-for-yourself mode. Imagine its sharp chassis reflexes were tuned on Germany's famous Nürburgring race track, alongside BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, Porsches and all manner of performance cars. Now give it seven-passenger seating and a big, hulking crossover SUV body. Fantasy, you say? No, it's the 2007 Acura MDX. Acura claimed that its MDX would be a sport sedan in SUV clothing, and it wasn't kidding. For people who like to drive, it's definitely on the short list.

What We Drove

The basic MDX starts at $40,665 with the $670 destination charge, and boasts leather seats and the V6 all-wheel drive powertrain. The Technology package brings the price up to $44,165 and adds the navigation system, surround-sound audio system and Bluetooth wireless phone connectivity. With the Sport package adds an active damper system and sport seats with perforated leather to the Technology package, bringing the price up to $46,265. An Entertainment package adds the second-row DVD video system, heated second row seats and remote power liftgate to either the Sport or Technology packages for an additional $2,200. All told, our loaded Formal Black MDX with the Sport and Entertainment packages came to $48,465, including destination.

Performance

With its 3.7-liter 300-horsepower V6 engine and a five-speed automatic with manual shift control, the MDX scoots off the line and keeps accelerating hard. Power goes to all four wheels through the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, and the transmission snaps off shifts smoothly and effortlessly. Shift for yourself and you're rewarded with quick upshifts and mostly smooth downshifts from the responsive console-mounted lever. It even managed a respectable 19.5 mpg in mixed driving. While the linear power delivery was praised, some of us miss Acura's hallmark VTEC surge when the variable-valve timing kicks in. Also, some of the MDX's competitors have transmissions with more gears. This is primarily a marketing advantage, and we see no need for extra gears.

Handling

For sport sedan lovers who dread needing a bigger vehicle in which to carry their kids or antiques or whatever it is that MDX buyers haul, this is one crossover that has no qualms about hauling ass, too. The Super Handling All-Wheel Drive actively overdrives the outside wheels up to 1.7 percent in corners, giving the MDX excellent stability in hard maneuvers. The active damper system provides very good body control without a punishing ride. It does err on the stiff side though, so a comfort setting is available to take the edge off sharp bumps if you have a sensitive tush. The MDX also has a 5,000 lb. tow rating, and a stability program helps prevent trailers from fishtailing.