Road Test: The 2011 Acura MDX

The 2011 Acura MDX exists in a very crowded market segment populated by some very talented players like the BMW X5, Audi Q7, Land Rover LR4, Mercedes GL, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln MKT, Lexus GX and many more. There's also a contingent of fully loaded 7-passenger SUVs offered by pretty much every other mainstream automaker to deal with as well. So why is the MDX such a perennially popular choice?

To start with, the 2011 Acura MDX just makes a whole lot more sense than most luxury SUVs. Honestly, do you need a special rock crawl setting for your 4-wheel drive system when it spends most of the time in a parking lot at Neiman Marcus?

Acura's SH-AWD System is All You Will Ever Need

That's why the MDX's advanced SH-AWD system is designed to optimize road holding on pavement in dry weather and also increase traction on same said roads in wet, icy or snowy conditions. SH-AWD is unique in that it can apportion (Acura likes to use the term "torque vectoring") power to whichever individual wheel needs and this means it gives this big 7-passenger SUV grip in all weather conditions on pavement.

This is not an off-road vehicle but who really takes their luxury SUV off-road? Please, no notes from Range Rover owners in Borneo.

The 2011 Acura MDX is a Terrific Value

Beyond this there are some other salient reasons why the 2011 Acura MDX is the smartest buy in the luxury SUV segment. In other words, if you have enough money to afford the $42,950 base price the MDX should definitely be on your short list.

While that may seem like a lot of money to some it is actually quite a deal considering its feature count and the fact that most mainstream brands from Toyota to Ford have similarly sized and equipped SUVs that cost that much. Also, features like Bluetooth, leather and USB/iPod integration that are standard with the MDX are often times optional on models from makers like BMW and Mercedes. For the record "leatherette" is not actually made from cowhide.

My Tech Package equipped tester was still just $46,255 and included 3-zone GPS controlled Climate Control, voice activated in-dash navigation, a 3-view back-up camera, 10-speaker Acura/ELS surround sound audio system, Bluetooth, USB/iPod integration, Power driver/passenger seat, heated front seats, leather seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, a power liftgate, power windows/locks/mirrors, a moonroof, XM satellite radio and much more.

The 2011 Acura MDX is Made to Seat Seven

Granted, the third row of seats in the MDX are best left on longer trips to children but having tested this SUV with two kids in the back I can verify that they were very comfortable. There was even a fight over who could sit back there which should tell you something about how much kids like riding back there.

And even if your kid doesn't care for it, the third row can always be used to separate two of your children should they start picking on each other in the second row. Not that the third row should be viewed as a punishment but given how far it is from the driver's seat you won't have to listen to them complain. If you can still hear them you can always crank up the powerful 10-speaker Acura ELS audio system.

The 2011 Acura MDX is Built to Last

Attention dog owners and parents! Your "children" will not be able to destroy the interior of this very luxurious yet solidly built SUV no matter how hard they try. During my week of testing there were torrential downpours and mudslides in Southern California where I live and the interior of the MDX cleaned up nicely.

The interior of the MDX also has enough cubbies, cupholders and storage nooks to make a minivan owner jealous. There is also an optional rear seat DVD entertainment system available to keep the kiddies happy. The MDX's interior really is a comfortable driving environment perfect for family road trips as long as you own the car. The MDX really makes for a wise long term ownership proposition.

The 2011 Acura MDX is Everything You Need it to Be and Nothing You Don't

The MDX has a huge list of standard luxury features, is affordable, has a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), seat seven comfortably and has 83.5 cubic feet of cargo room with the second and third rows folded flat. It gives you Acura's awesome SH-AWD system as standard and is very stylish to boot.

It is routinely Acura's best-selling model and when you look at its many merits it is easy to see why. So what are you waiting for?

Vehicle Tested: 2011 Acura MDX with Tech Package

Base Price: $42,580

Price as Tested: $46,255

Options on Test Vehicle: Tech Package-(Acura voice activated navigation with Real Time Weather, Traffic and Built in Zagat Restaurant Guide, Multi-View Back-up Camera, Sport seats with Premium Leather, USB/iPod interface, GPS-Linked Tri-Zone Climate Control, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) for Song Storage, Acura/ELS 10-speaker Surround Sound Audio System)

Engine: 3.7 liter V6 with VTEC

Power: 300 horsepower/270 lb. feet of torque

Transmission: 6-speed automatic with SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive)

0-60: 7.5 seconds (estimated)

EPA Fuel Economy: 16 city/21 highway

Economy as Tested: 16.4 miles per gallon

Gas Tank Size: 21 gallons

Runs on: Premium Unleaded

Cargo Space (Behind 3^rd Row)-15 cubic feet

(Behind 2^nd Row)-42.9 cubic feet

Behind 1^st Row)-83.5 cubic feet

Turning Radius-37.6 Cubic Feet

Curb Weight-4,550 lbs.

Tow Capacity-5,000 lbs.

Warranty-4 year/50,000 mile bumper to bumper coverage

6 years/70,000 mile powertrain coverage

Crash Test Ratings-IIHS "Top Safety Pick"

Vehicle Built in-Alliston, Ontario (Canada)

North American Parts Content-65%

Source: Acura.com