Driving and configuring my wife's new MDX… So far so good!
Excellent finish and interior quality. The car feels solid and is very quiet inside. No rattles, no squeaks, the only abnormal sound I can hear is the jingling of the metal ring on the key fob laying in the door top pocket.
Driving mode is easy to switch using large knob in the center console, no need to stop and drill into the … menu options like on new Lexus RX. Sport mode eliminates any feelings of insufficient engine power (at expense of the gas mileage, that's for sure), no jerking transmission then either. With about 4000 miles on it, transmission feels silky smooth.
The sound system is excellent! The infotainment system with its touchpad is fine - no finger smudges on the screen. BTW, the screen panel quality is way better than the one on new Lexus RX. High contrast, deep black, and no way to get sun glare anywhere near. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto – all work like a charm. Default Acura's navigation is actually not that far behind, giving the choice of seamlessly switching between at least 3 navigation systems at any time during the driving (Acura's, Apple/Google Maps, or Waze in my very modest setup).
Engine stop/start is annoying, but there is a way to control it with the brake pedal pressure – light pressure prevents engine from shutting down.
Not sure what those rich folks with $60k+ cars are complaining about gas mileage. It's not a city commuter's car. I'm seeing 26-27 mpg cruising on the highway. It doesn't require premium fuel, that's additional 20% fuel economy for you.
Driver assist features are all good and very usable. I only don't get why would Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) need to be that sensitive and require periodic "proof of presence", literally makes me shake the steering wheel a bit every several minutes. I hope Acura will relax this "rule" with the future software update, …please.
So far, squeaking brakes were the only complaint to the service department. They replaced rear pads and the squeaking gone.
edmundsTESTEDThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
We drove it! Our ratings are based on our Edmunds expert’s extensive vehicle testing.