When it was introduced five years ago, the Acura MDX was a respected entry in the luxury SUV segment, offering tons of features and excellent build quality for a reasonable price. Still, rivals such as the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class outgunned the MDX in overall performance. For 2007, the MDX gets a top-to-bottom overhaul that closes the gap between it and its German rivals. Re-imagined as a sleek blend of family hauler and performance machine, the 2007 Acura MDX is miles ahead of its predecessor; enthusiasts will love it, and it's still able to comfortably manage both kids and groceries following a weekend trek to Trader Joe's.
The midsize ute is powered by the largest and most powerful V6 ever to grace an Acura, giving it unparalleled juice and athleticism. A dual-stage intake manifold and a very high (11.0:1) compression ratio allow this engine to perform like a V8, while retaining the fuel-efficiency of a V6. The ute's handling also benefits from an all-new chassis and the addition of an electromechanical all-wheel-drive system first seen in the RL sedan. This SH-AWD system can not only actively shift torque from front to rear, but also from side to side in order to maximize traction and stability in all situations.
But the upgrades don't stop with performance. The MDX raises the bar when it comes to luxury, offering a full complement of electronic and telematic features. Standard features include tri-zone climate control; an eight-speaker 253-watt audio system with XM satellite radio and auxiliary jack for personal audio input; and Bluetooth connectivity. A navigation system with real-time traffic, surround sound audio and rear-seat entertainment is also available.
With big fish like the BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne and Volvo XC90, Acura's hauler swims in an extremely competitive pond. But the ute's makeover has been a complete success. The 2007 Acura MDX is our pick for the best midsize SUV, surpassing its rivals on the strength of its performance and wealth of safety and luxury features.
The 2007 Acura MDX is a midsize luxury crossover SUV. Only one trim level is available. All MDXs come equipped with 18-inch wheels, xenon HID headlights, a moonroof, power and heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, cruise control and an audio system with a six-disc CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary input jack. Three optional packages are available to provide additional features.
The Technology package adds a navigation system with voice recognition and real-time traffic, a surround-sound audio system, a rearview camera and solar-sensing climate control. The Sport package includes the features of the Technology package, and throws in an Active Damper System sport suspension, special wheels and perforated leather trim. Finally, an Entertainment package can be had with either the Technology or Sport packages, and includes a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, heated second-row seats, a remote-linked power tailgate and a 115-volt power outlet.
The 2007 Acura MDX is no slouch when it comes to safety. Standard safety equipment includes front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, active front head restraints, stability control with a stabilizing feature for trailering, a tire-pressure monitoring system and antilock disc brakes with brake assist.
With high-grade materials quality and a bevy of electronic features, the seven-passenger MDX's cabin is a comfy and luxurious place to be. The interior achieves a certain degree of versatility thanks to 60/40-split folding second-row seats and 50/50-split folding third-row seats. Cargo room with the seats up is a decent 15 cubic feet; fold them down and capacity grows to a generous 83.5 cubic feet.
The 2007 Acura MDX handles with a nimbleness that surprised us. Equipped with the Sport package, the MDX's two-mode dampers soak up the bumps when necessary and firm up when the pace quickens. Overall, the MDX demonstrates a quickness and dexterity that makes it every bit as confidence-inspiring as high-performance rivals like the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5.
The highly-anticipated all-new 2007 Acura MDX luxury SUV will be available with the critically acclaimed Acura/ELS Surround® Premium Audio System when the vehicle goes on sale October 17th. The completely redesigned MDX combines bold styling, track-tuned performance and the latest technology, making it one of the most advanced SUVs on the road.
Re-engineered for the acoustics of this performance-luxury SUV, the state-of-the-art Panasonic Automotive system features ELS Surround’s studio-quality sound with an added kick from the all-new 20cm Super Low Distortion Driver (SLDD) subwoofer that delivers bass with exceptional clarity and energy. Featured as a key component of the optional MDX Technology and Sport packages, the Acura/ELS Surround Premium Audio System made its debut in the 2004 TL® sedan and now is also available in the recently introduced RDX™ Crossover SUV.
The Acura/ELS Surround Premium Audio System, which takes its name from system collaborator and multi-Grammy® Award winning producer/engineer Elliot "Els" Scheiner, includes 10 speakers, 410 watts of amplification, six-disc in-dash DVD-Audio player, MP3 and WMA playback, AM/FM and XM® Satellite radio as well as an auxiliary input for portable music players such as an iPod. The sound is delivered through ten optimally-placed speakers that surround the driver and passengers with “studio-quality” sound.
Designed to please even the most discerning listeners, the system features DVD-Audio playback that provides a discrete multi-channel surround sound for a truly amazing audio experience. Additionally, the Acura/ELS Surround Premium Audio System in the MDX provides specific equalization setting to deliver spectacular sound from all audio sources, including CD, MP3 or iPod, as well as surround sound from DVD-videos played on the optional Acura DVD Rear Entertainment system.
Since its introduction in the TL, the Acura/ELS Surround Premium Audio System has built a reputation as the "musician's choice" for its remarkable reproduction of studio quality audio. Scheiner comments, speaking from experience: "The goal of the ELS Surround system in the MDX is to reproduce the studio experience in the vehicle. It's easy for me to make that comparison. I listened to some of my recent projects, such as Foo Fighters, the Eagles and Donald Fagen, when we were tuning the system for the MDX. It's amazingly true to what I hear in the studio."
The Acura/ELS Surround Premium Audio System is designed to integrate perfectly into the MDX’s performance-oriented driving environment.
“The MDX is the flagship SUV from Acura. The performance of the Acura/ELS Surround Premium Audio System aligns perfectly with the MDX core themes of driving enthusiasm, intelligent functionality, technology and luxury. Working with Elliot and Panasonic, Acura has expanded upon the success of the systems in the TL and the RDX to deliver an audio experience in the MDX which is truly unique in the marketplace,” said Frank Paluch, Vice President of Research and Development and Chief Engineer for the new Acura MDX.
Cary Wilson, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President of Engineering, attributes the system’s success to the combination of talents involved in its creation. "The success of Acura/ELS Surround is derived from a unique combination of artistry, technology and engineering that’s unmatched in the market. Elliot brings his creativity and knowledge of how great music is made, Panasonic provides audio technology and experience in consumer electronics, and Acura brings unrivaled automotive engineering. When you look at Acura/ELS Surround from that perspective, it’s no surprise that it delivers a very special listening experience.”
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