2017 Acura MDX SH-AWD

This week Carsfera presents the 2017 Acura MDX SH-AWD

The past week we drove this luxury SUV described by many automotive experts as the Best Luxury Three-Row SUV for the Money by the U.S. News & World Report at the Loudoun County roads, VA where we were able to captured these impressive images.

Winner in all the aspects…earned TOP SAFETY PICK+, the highest designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, for its fourth consecutive year. Acura earned a total of two TOP SAFETY PICK+ and two TOP SAFETY PICK ratings for 2017, making Acura a top leader in safety ratings in the automotive industry.

Also earned the Best Luxury Three-Row SUV for the Money by U.S. News & World Report. The best-selling three-row luxury SUV of all time, the MDX has earned the distinction for five consecutive years. 2016 marked the fifth year in a row of more than 50,000 U.S. MDX sales. The refreshed 2017 model receives enhanced styling and new luxury features, and is the first luxury SUV in its class to offer a comprehensive suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technology making MDX the first luxury SUV in its class to offer these advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies, including automatic emergency braking, as standard features.

The restyled 2017 MDX is highlighted by the bold and distinctive diamond pentagon grille. The new grille is integrated with a more sharply sculpted hood, front fascia and front fenders coupled with new LED fog lights and restyled Jewel Eye headlights, which enhance the MDX’s distinctive and sporting demeanor. A new chrome rocker panel design adds an element of contrast to the MDX’s profile, while a revised rear bumper, body colored skid garnish and the addition of twin tailpipes further emphasizes the performance character of the 2017 Acura MDX.

Under the hood the new 2017 MDX is powered by a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated, direct-injection V-6 that makes 290 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 267 lb-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm. A ZF-sourced nine-speed transmission is the only transmission available in this MDX. In entry-level models, it routes power to the front wheels. Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, which sends power to all four wheels, is also available.

Our fuel economy test: the MDX is really worthy. Its city/highway/combined EPA rating of 19/26/22 mpg

In terms of ride comfort, the MDX delivered a smooth ride, on-road or off-. “It’s very quiet. It has a very quiet cabin and little or no wind noise at 85 mph”.

Blending comfort, technology, safety…Let’s talk about technology & safety.

What makes our MDX a Winner?

The 2017 MDX benefit from increased standard luxury and technology features, including an Electric Parking Brake with Automatic Brake Hold, Auto High Beam headlights, SiriusXM Radio 2.0 and four 2.5-amp USB charging ports. Technology and Advance packages add Bi-Directional Keyless Remote Engine Start, two new 20-inch wheel and tire options, power folding side mirrors, and HD Traffic. In addition to these features, Advance grades add LED fog lights, genuine Olive Ash Burl or Black Limba wood interior trim, a heated steering wheel and Surround-View Camera System with six selectable viewing angles. Our advance model was equipped with two second-row captain’s chairs and a center console with two additional USB ports, replacing the three-person second-row seating found on lower grades.  An ultra-widescreen Rear Entertainment System is also available on models with the Advance ENT Package.

All models receive the AcuraWatch suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technology as standard equipment, including Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with automatic emergency braking, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF) and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM). AcuraWatch uses a millimeter wave radar and monocular camera sensing technology to detect other vehicles as well as lane markings and can help intervene to prevent or mitigate the severity of a collision. Moreover, with Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and Lane Keeping Assist, AcuraWatch can significantly decrease the driver’s workload during freeway cruising by maintaining a set speed and following interval, initiating both braking and throttle inputs, and adding steering input to help the driver maintain their position in the detected lane.

Blending comfort, technology, and safety handling into a three-row SUV is no easy feat, but the MDX manages to pull it off with ease.  It is unfair to compare the MDX’s interior with European competitors as the Q7 and the XC90, since the Acura does cost quite a bit less than the Audi and the Volvo. Our fully loaded MDX SH-AWD Advance model rang up around $59,340, a significant amount but considerably less expensive than the Q7 and the XC90.

Ready to schedule your next test drive with Radley Acura Falls Church. Don’t wait and call us now 703.650.0619