2009 Acura MDX User Reviews

Pros

Nice handling for a large vehicle, tons of features

Cons

Finish, road noise

Purchased As New

I struggled between this and an Audi Q5. The Q5 was sportier, sexier and nicer IMO but about 5K more comparably loaded and 2 fewer seats. I have had it for about 500 miles now and am satisfied but not thrilled. The engine is smooth, powerful enough with about 17.5 mpg but you ain't going to get to 60 mph in any remarkable manner. Handling is superb for a vehicle of this size, crisp, confident in turns, grips the road. I have the active damping suspension and it handles body roll well, comfort setting on the highways gives a nice floaty ride with no road bumps but does make the vehicle feel a bit like a boat (earlier Town Cars).

The BT phone system works very nicely, crisp and clear. Voice recognition is a beauty. Center console would make a space shuttle pilot proud! I have not felt any engine braking that others have commented on but I have noticed if you are at a speed just above a downshift and you ease off the gas, it shifts down - this may cause the engine braking sensation experienced by others.

For a fully loaded 'luxury' vehicle to not have adaptive headlights, smart keyless ignition or unlocking or even rain sensing wipers is dumbfounded. I am not sure if this is just mine, but the finish in some places is not what I expected of Acura - gap between footstep and the door, slightly unaligned front vent with dash, wipers jerk across the windshield instead of smoothly wiping - I am going to have the dealer look at these.

The ELS sound system is very very nice but to me the subwoofer sounds a bit removed and underpowered - I am comparing it to the Integra receiver and Definitive Technology speakers/woofer I have at home.

It certainly does not make me feel like I am driving a truck, just a largish car with sportish handling.