Internally, the 3.7L V-6 makes use of special heavy-duty components including
a cast-aluminum cylinder block, high-strength crankshaft, heavy-duty connecting
rods, high compression-ratio pistons, high-flow aluminum cylinder heads with
integrated exhaust manifolds, unique long-reach spark plugs and other features.
EPA estimated city/highway/combined fuel mileage of 16/21/18 mpg (an
improvement of 1 mpg city and 1 mpg highway over the 2009 model) and a large
21-gallon fuel capacity mean the MDX is perfect for long drives. Like all 2011
Acura vehicles, the MDX complies with the latest EPA TIER 2 - BIN 5 and CARB LEV
II ULEV emissions standards.
The 3.7L V-6 is coupled with a Sequential
SportShift 6-speed automatic transmission that works with a special multi-clutch
torque converter. With comparatively short gearing in the first five forward
gears, acceleration is enhanced- while fuel efficiency and quiet cruising are
optimized with a relaxed Sixth gear ratio.
The Sequential SportShift
transmission offers two automatic shift modes, or can be operated fully manually
via racing-inspired steering wheel paddle shifters. Grade Logic Control, Shift
Hold Control, Cornering G Shift Control and Hill Start Assist make the 6-speed
the most advanced automatic transmission ever offered by Acura. To support the
Acura MDX's 5,000 pound towing capacity, a front-mount transmission fluid cooler
is employed.
The Acura MDX puts power to the ground through Acura's
acclaimed Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system. SH-AWD is an innovative
full-time all-wheel-drive system that uses torque vectoring to actively
distribute the optimum amount of power not only between the front and rear
axles, but also between the left and right rear wheels. With torque vectoring
(and by selectively overdriving one outside rear wheel while cornering), the yaw
moment of the MDX can be controlled throughout a turn which reduces understeer
to greatly enhance handling precision and ultimate cornering ability. Working in
conjunction with the MDX's standard Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction
control, SH-AWD provides enhanced power delivery and driver control whether it
be on-road or off-road, in dry, rain, snow or ice.
When towing, special
Trailer Stability Assist algorithms built into the VSA logic help stabilize the
vehicle after sensing oscillations of the vehicle or trailer. The MDX's SH-AWD
system is further enhanced with hill logic that automatically adjusts the
front/rear torque distribution based on the incline of the hill grades.
Acura MDX Offers World-Class Dynamics and Driving Feel
With an
emphasis on top-level handling performance, MDX engineers targeted the
world-class dynamics and driving feel of the top European SUV competitors. This
led to the development of a long wheelbase platform and a sophisticated
suspension system tuned at Germany's famed Nürburgring race
circuit.
The MDX's 4-wheel fully-independent suspension makes use of
MacPherson struts in front teamed with a multi-link rear suspension that is
mounted to a rigid unit body structure with isolated subframes. The front
suspension also uses unique hydro-compliance bushings that provide superior ride
isolation and chassis vibration control. The rear suspension features aluminum
uprights to reduce unsprung weight for improved response, while special
trailing-arm mounting points reduce body squat during acceleration.
As
part of the available Advance Package, the Active Damper System gives the 2011
MDX an elevated level of handling precision designed to satisfy the most
discriminating drivers- all while maintaining a smooth ride. The MDX's Active
Damper System features special algorithms that provide two driver-selectable
settings-Comfort and Sport-that tailor the suspension dampers for a more
comfortable or more sporting ride.
Using "active" Magneto-Rheological
fluid dampers and predictive computer algorithms, the MDX's Active Damper System
can respond in as little as five milliseconds (0.005 sec.) to individually
adjust the damping force of the shock absorbers ahead of actual body movements
to provide improved transient handling, road isolation and body control.
The Comfort mode allows for a more relaxed driving experience by prioritizing
road isolation and reduced passenger fatigue caused by road inputs, while the
Sport mode prioritizes handling response and vehicle body control to allow for
spirited driving with high levels of precision and vehicle composure.
For
excellent stopping power and control, the MDX employs large 13.0-inch diameter
ventilated front brake rotors and 13.1-inch solid rear brake rotors along with
anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake
Assist.
MDX Interior
Attention to detail and supple luxury
distinguishes the MDX interior from competitors. Generous use of Milano premium
leather with the available Technology Package, excellent look and feel of
interior trim materials, relocated front seat headrests for improved comfort,
upscale leather stitching (such as the Lancia-style stitching on the steering
wheel and shift knob), a thick steering wheel grip, and copious use of LED
interior lighting make it clear that the MDX is focused on top tier luxury.
The MDX features sport contoured front seats with power actuated 10-way
adjustability for the driver seat and 8-way adjustability for the passenger
front seat. The second-row outboard seats mirror the style and lateral support
of the front seats, giving the interior a unique feel that highlights the MDX's
blend of sport and utility. Convenience and cargo features abound, including
under-floor storage in the rear cargo area and a standard power-operated rear
tailgate.
There are multiple configurations of the MDX's three rows of seating
allowing for seven passengers, or enabling a maximum useable cargo volume of
83.5 cubic feet with center and rear seats folded. With all seats folded down,
the MDX has a flat load floor that is perfect for hauling bulky items.
The MDX offers a formidable list of standard equipment including items such as a
leather trimmed interior, power moonroof, power windows, leather-wrapped
multi-function steering wheel with racing-inspired paddle shifters, an
auto-dimming rearview mirror with integrated rear view camera and a tri-zone
climate control system with humidity control. Included are numerous high-tech
features such as Bluetooth HandsFreeLink wireless telephone interface, a
Multi-Information Display (MID) that allows access to multiple electronic
functions and LED backlit instrumentation. Also standard with the MDX is an
8-speaker, 253-watt Acura Premium Sound System that features an AM/FM tuner,
in-dash 6-disc CD changer, WMA player, MP3 capability, XM Radio and an auxiliary
jack for connectivity of personal audio devices.
An available Technology
Package adds a range of advanced features designed to offer drivers increased
connectivity to the world around them along with added driving enjoyment. In
addition to using luxurious full-grain Milano premium leather for the seating
surfaces, the Technology Package delivers the Acura Navigation System with Voice
Recognition system that uses an 8-inch full VGA high-resolution color display
positioned high up in the center of the instrument panel where it is close to
the driver's line of sight. The display also works with a unique rearview camera
system that offers three different rear view angles- normal rear view, wide
angle rear view and a tow-friendly top view.
The navigation system
includes AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with a new Traffic Rerouting that can
display continuously updated traffic information including freeway flow,
incident, construction and weather related incidents in 109 major metropolitan
areas. With data stored on a built-in 60 GB hard disk drive (HDD) media storage
device, the MDX navigation system boots up and operates with impressive speed.
AcuraLink Real-Time Weather with weather radar image maps is part of the
Technology Package and includes other useful functions such as 1- and 3-day
weather forecasts. The Technology Package also includes a GPS-linked,
solar-sensing tri-zone climate control system that automatically adjusts the air
temperature and fan speed according to the position of the sun.
A popular
aspect of the Technology Package is Acura's renowned Acura/ELS Surround
10-speaker Premium Audio System featuring a 410-watt Digital Sound Processor
amplifier along with 15-gigabytes of built-in hard disk drive (HDD) media
storage that allows the MDX owner to download and store about 3,500 songs for
later playback. The Acura/ELS Surround premium audio system offers DVD-Audio,
DTS, CD, AM/FM radio, XM Radio with Note function music reminder, Bluetooth
Audio, along with USB port and AUX jack connectivity.
The 2011 MDX is
rich with cutting edge technology features including an Advance Package that
replaces and goes beyond the previously available Sport Package. The Advance
Package also includes the Collision Mitigating Braking System (CMBS), Adaptive
Cruise Control (ACC), blind spot information system (BSI) and the Active Damper
System. Inside the cockpit, the Advance Package adds ventilated front seats with
specially contoured seat foam covered by perforated Milano premium leather, a
sport steering wheel with unique design racing-inspired paddle shifters on the
steering wheel and textured metallic interior accents. On the outside, the
Advance Package delivers 19x8-inch 7-spoke aluminum wheels and auto-leveling HID
front headlights.
An available Entertainment Package includes a Rear
Entertainment System (RES) complete with a DVD player, power folding 9-inch full
VGA color screen (with 400-percent improved resolution versus the previous
screen design), dual wireless headphones, a wireless illuminated remote control
and 115-volt plug located in the center console.
Safety
In
keeping with Acura's "Safety Through Innovation" initiative, the 2011 MDX
provides excellent safety for its passengers, including the application of
Acura's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure.
ACE is an
exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility
in frontal crashes. ACE utilizes a network of connected structural elements to
distribute crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle. This
enhanced frontal crash energy management helps to reduce the forces transferred
to the passenger compartment and can help to more evenly disperse the forces
transferred to other vehicles in a crash.
In addition, a special frame
member located below the MDX's front bumper is designed to engage the front
bumper of a lower vehicle, allowing the bumper systems of both vehicles to
attenuate crash energy more efficiently.
Numerous standard "active
safety" features that help the MDX driver reduce the risk of collision include
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) along with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with
Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. An additional active
safety feature included in the available Advance Package is the Collision
Mitigating Braking System (CMBS) which helps the driver reduce the likelihood of
a collision by alerting the driver to potential collision situations and
activating the brakes if the system determines a collision likely is
unavoidable.
Inside the handsomely appointed MDX interior, occupants will
find advanced safety features including the latest generation of dual-stage,
multiple-threshold airbags for the driver and front passenger. There are also
knee bolsters, front seatbelts with an automatic tensioning system with
integrated load limiters, side airbags for the driver and front passenger along
with side curtain airbags (with a rollover sensor) for all outboard seat
locations. Active front head restraints help reduce the likelihood of neck
injury for front seat passengers in rear impacts and LATCH (Lower Anchors and
Tethers for CHildren) mounting systems in the second row seating allow quick and
convenient installation of child seats.
Developed by Acura designers and
engineers in California and Ohio, and tested in the company's advanced safety
laboratories in Raymond, Ohio, the MDX is assembled in Alliston, Ontario,
Canada.
Like all 2011 Acura models, the MDX is covered by a comprehensive
4-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty and a 6-year/70,000
powertrain limited warranty. Additional ownership benefits include Acura Total
Luxury Care (TLC), which provides free 24-hour roadside assistance, concierge
service and trip routing.
Acura MDX: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications