2004 Acura MDX Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

A somewhat bland but otherwise utterly capable and perfectly useful crossover SUV.

Pros

Room for seven passengers or serious amounts of cargo, gutsy V6 engine, well-balanced suspension, top-rated crash test scores, low price.

Cons

Limited off-road capability, below-average tow rating, ho-hum interior design and materials.

What's New for 2004

A number of interior, exterior and mechanical updates were made for 2004. The V6 engine added slightly more power and is now rated at 265 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. Outside, you'll find a restyled front fascia, new chrome trim, dual exhaust tips, a new wheel design for Touring models, updated headlights and taillights and a rear wing spoiler. The interior now features trendy brushed metal-look trim for the center stack, leather armrests, auto-on/off headlights, new ambient foot lighting and enhanced functionality of the second-row seat for third-row access. Touring models get a new version of the Bose premium audio system and power lumbar support for the driver seat. Finally, safety has been improved on all MDXs with the addition of side curtain airbags and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

Nice Vehicle

Written by: tfmeisen on 09/29/2009

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	9	Fun-to-Drive:	8	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	9
Fuel Economy:	9	Exterior Design:	10

Vehicle

2004 Acura MDX Touring AWD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I decided that I wanted a luxury SUV. I drove several different types and I believe that the Acura MDX is one of the best vehicles for your money on the market today. It has the size, and space of an SUV, but rides like a luxury car. The interior is plush and the features are great and easy to use. I had every option except for the navigation and DVD player. It had plenty of power and still got good gas mileage, on a long trip I could get over 22 mpg which is incredible considering the size. The only problems I had: the cruise control broke, and I somehow broke the front motor mount and it was expensive. The other downside is the vehicle has to be serviced by Acura for most things.

Favorite Features

Great stereo, steering wheel controls, comfortable seats, rear climate control, 3rd road seat, all the controls are easily accessible and easy to use. Good engine and gas mileage. Smooth ride.

Suggested Improvements

None, this car is almost perfect.

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Don't buy

Written by: Steve Jones on 09/03/2009


Performance:	6	Fun-to-Drive:	5	Build Quality:	1
Comfort:	7	Interior Design:	5	Reliability:	1
Fuel Economy:	4	Exterior Design:	5

2004 Acura MDX AWD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

This vehicle has been the most unreliable vehicle I have ever owned. In the last 5 months, I have spent over a $1000 on the transmission (torque converter and another switch) and another $700 on the power steering (a loud whine). Both of these problems have numerous complaints against them, but Acura won't do anything since it's not under warranty. There are service bulletins out for these issues, but Acura won't do anything until forced to by a recall.

Take responsibility for your faulty parts and design.

Reliable and Comfortable

Written by: Jon R on 07/19/2009


Performance:	9	Fun-to-Drive:	9	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	9

I bought this car used with 19K mi in 10/2005. I now have 56K mi. The car is extremely reliable and very comfortable. It handles nicely and it is no surprise that you still see so many late MDX's still on the road and still in great shape. For all of the features that you get on this car, it really is a great value. The cars are not cheap, but you get a lot of standard options in these cars that would drive the price up on other comparable models from other brands. Also, the car doesn't seem very big, but my wife and I are amazed at how much room you have inside. They did a great job using the space. It is a great family car and would consider getting a new one.

Room, comfort, reliability, handling.

I have the Navi system and DVD quickly gets out of date where I live. It is EXTREMELY expensive to replace the DVD. If that is my biggest complaint though, then the car is a great car.

Honda is Plastically Challanged!

Written by: Ken on 03/12/2009


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	6	Build Quality:	3
Comfort:	4	Interior Design:	5	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	4

Pretty nice overall, aside from the front air vent falling off in my hand and the rear speaker covers can be easily pried off without tools. The whole interior is bland and it drives like the Queen Mary II.

Space, snow ability, reliability, engine past 4800

Better plastics, easier to use nav system softer seats, more power, more ground clearance

Great Car in ALMOST every way

Written by: Richard S7 on 05/29/2008


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	7	Exterior Design:	10

This was my second Acura MDX that has gone over 100,000 miles. I absolutely love this vehicle. It has been virtually trouble free. No matter where I go and rent cars or SUVs, it always feels great getting back to my MDX. The only complaint is that it gets only 17 MPG overall. That used to be okay -- but now with gas over $4.00 a gallon, it gets expensive. BUT, since it's so darn reliable, I am not putting any money into it for repair so it works out.

* Sound System - Best stock system I have ever heard. * Acceleration - 0-60 in 7.5 seconds. Pretty fast for an SUV * Incredibly reliable. Over 100,000 miles with only routine maintenance and normal wear items such as brakes and tires. * Incredibly comfortable * Great COLD air Conditioner

Other than better gas mileage, I can't think of how else to improve this.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

2004 Acura MDX Consumer Ratings & Reviews