2017 Acura MDX SH-AWD

Just like that one friend on Facebook who keeps shuffling through myriad profile pictures, luxury-car companies are always introducing new front grilles. Acura, a brand that struggles with identity issues, is the latest to do so, just as we were starting to get used its previous design, an inelegant shield most commonly referred to as a beak. The three-row MDX crossover is the first recipient of Acura’s new, so-called “diamond pentagon” grille, part of its mid-cycle refresh for 2017.

Will the nose job help give Acura more character? We’re not so sure: The new front end looks cleaner and less bizarre, sure, but it’s also slightly cartoonish and less distinctive than the beak (for whatever that’s worth). Final judgment will have to wait until the diamond pentagon face makes its way onto other Acuras within the next few years.

Other than the new schnoz, not much else changes for the most popular Acura, and that’s a good thing. The MDX remains one of the most entertaining three-row luxury crossovers to drive, which might sound like saying that Kim is the most intellectually stimulating of the Kardashians. But Acura’s sophisticated SH-AWD system, which incorporates a torque-vectoring rear differential, imbues the MDX with surprising athleticism. Push it into a corner hard and stand on the throttle, and the differential goes to work apportioning torque to the outside-rear wheel, quelling understeer and motoring you on your way with little drama. The MDX’s accurate steering rack and well-damped suspension also contribute to its dynamic poise. The ride is satisfyingly firm but not harsh, and overall responses are deft.

Bantamweight Competitor

The Acura’s curb weight of 4222 pounds also deserves plenty of credit for its lively performance. It’s several hundred pounds lighter than its closest three-row competitor, the Infiniti QX60, which goes some way toward explaining how the 290-hp MDX nips the 295-hp Infiniti by more than a second in zero-to-60-mph acceleration. The MDX’s sprint of 6.0 seconds and its 14.7-second quarter-mile time are nearly quick enough to keep up with the field of more powerful and significantly more expensive three-row luxury SUVs we tested recently, including the Volvo XC90, BMW X5, and Audi Q7. The nine-speed automatic added for 2016 also helps acceleration and fuel economy—the MDX is rated at 26 mpg highway, but we saw 28 mpg during our real-world test run at a steady 75 mph—but brings with it some quirks. It is frequently reluctant to downshift, has a console-mounted push-button shifter that takes some getting used to, and, on Advance models, includes a clunky engine stop/start system that’s not particularly smooth.

Where the Acura can’t measure up to more prestigious crossovers is on the inside. Although touches such as open-pore wood and contrasting piping for the leather seats are welcome, the MDX simply doesn’t feel as special as the plush Audi or the gorgeously trimmed Volvo. Fit and finish is good, but the MDX’s dashboard has a mostly plain design and uses plenty of utilitarian-looking materials. The dual-screen setup for controlling the radio, navigation, and climate settings is dated at best and infuriating at worst. Tasks that should be simple, such as turning on the heated seats or changing radio stations, require using the lower touchscreen, which has a complex menu structure and is slow to respond to inputs. We hope Acura’s new infotainment system will be much better.

Passengers will be happier in back, where they’ll find a comfortable second-row bench seat (captain’s chairs also are available) with its own easy-to-use, button-operated climate controls. The third row is predictably cramped, but at least the second row slides forward to give kiddos back there a bit more room.

MDX in the Middle

It may be a bit unfair to compare the MDX’s interior with those posh European competitors, since the Acura does cost quite a bit less than the Audi and the Volvo. Our fully loaded MDX SH-AWD Advance model rang up a bill of $59,340, a significant sum to be sure, but considerably less expensive than versions of the Q7 and XC90, which can easily push past $70,000. Choose fewer option packages and the MDX can be had for less than $50,000, at which point the Acura starts to look like even more of a bargain among its peers.

The MDX, like Acura as a whole, continues to occupy a sort of middle ground, a bit below true luxury but certainly above mainstream brands. It also remains competent, practical, and surprisingly lithe for a seven-passenger crossover, all attributes that make it a smart buy for well-heeled families. Although the MDX’s interior is starting to show its age, Acura hasn’t messed with success here, whatever you think of the nose job.

Specifications >

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door hatchback

PRICE AS TESTED: $59,340 (base price: $46,890)

ENGINE TYPE: SOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 212 cu in, 3471 cc
Power: 290 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque: 267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 9-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 111.0 in
Length: 196.2 in
Width: 77.2 in Height: 67.4 in
Passenger volume: 133 cu ft
Cargo volume: 15 cu ft
Curb weight: 4222 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 6.0 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 16.5 sec
Zero to 110 mph: 20.9 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.4 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.6 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.7 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.7 sec @ 95 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 113 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 188 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.83 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA combined/city/highway driving: 22/19/26 mpg
C/D observed 75-mph highway driving: 28 mpg
C/D observed highway range: 540 mi

*stability-control-inhibited