The Acura MDX has a robust popularity for athletic dealing with all through its illustrious historical past. With a brand new Mild Truck Platform boasting a 32% improve in structural rigidity, improved multi-link rear suspension, double wishbone entrance suspension, and glorious SH-AWD, the newest MDX is a prodigious handler. It could seem to be a knock on a luxurious automobile of this caliber, however one of many kindest comparisons we will make is to the Mazda CX-9, which is named one of the thrilling three-row crossovers within the mainstream phase. This isn’t a boulevard bruiser like a BMW X5 M, however the dealing with makes the MDX really feel a lot nimbler than its mid-size proportions would recommend.
That being stated, we do not love each factor of the MDX expertise. The steering is a variable-ratio setup and feels extraordinarily over-assisted in all drive modes. Ditto for the brakes, which reminds us of the pedal on a racing online game. It is troublesome to inform how a lot stress to use as a result of the pedal is very over-assisted and delivers almost no suggestions to the driving force. As for trip consolation, the MDX by no means feels too stiff and the cabin is properly remoted, even on the high authorized pace. Acura’s Visitors Jam Help provides steering help at low speeds, but it surely’s not probably the most confidence-inspiring system we have examined. A big, NSX-inspired knob on the sprint permits drivers to alter the drive modes, which embrace Snow, Consolation, Regular, Sport, and Customized. We love how every mode change is accompanied by a video game-themed beep and a brand new gauge cluster colour.