Acura MDX

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Acura MDX

The Acura MDX (Honda MDX in Japan

Japan

Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, People's Republic of China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south....
and Australia

Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the southern hemisphere comprising the Australia of the world's smallest continent, the major island of Tasmania, and numerous list of islands of Australia in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Oceans....
) is a mid-size crossover SUV

Crossover SUV

A crossover — variously called CUV or crossover utility vehicle — is a marketing term for a vehicle that derives from a car automobile platform while borrowing features from an Sport utility vehicle or Minivan....
produced by the Japan

Japan

Acura

Acura is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company. It primarily competes with Buick, Lexus and Infiniti among others in the luxury vehicle segment....
since the 2001 model year. The MDX is the first crossover SUV to have third-row seating. It is related to the Honda Pilot

Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot is a mid-size SUV and is Honda's second SUV fully built and designed by Honda, released in the summer of 2002 for the 2003 model year to replace the body-on-frame Honda Passport, which was a Badge engineering Isuzu Rodeo, which was sold only in the United States, although the Passport was Honda's first SUV sold from 1994-2002....
. The Alphanumeric moniker stands for "Multi-Dimensional luXury". It is built by Honda of Canada Manufacturing Ltd. in Alliston, Ontario

Alliston, Ontario

Alliston, Ontario is a community in Simcoe County, Ontario in the Provinces and territories of Canada of Ontario. It is part of the Town of New Tecumseth, Ontario, the 1991 amalgamation of Alliston and nearby villages Beeton, Tottenham, and the Township of Tecumseth....
, Canada

Canada

Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean....
. It was introduced in late 2000 as a 2001 model, replacing the slow-selling U.S.

United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
-only body-on-frame

Body-on-frame

Body-on-frame is an automobile construction technology. Mounting a separate body to a rigid frame which supports the drivetrain was the original method of building automobiles, and its use continues to this day....
SLX

Acura SLX

The Acura SLX was a mid-size sport utility vehicle sold by the Acura division of Honda from 1996 to 1999. It is a lightly upgraded Isuzu Trooper released at the same time as the Lexus LX and it was only sold in the United States....
, based on the Isuzu Trooper

Isuzu Trooper

The Isuzu Trooper is a mid-size SUV produced by the Japanese automaker Isuzu between 1981 and 2002. It was exported worldwide as the Isuzu Bighorn, Subaru Bighorn, 'Isuzu Trooper, 'Honda Horizon, 'Acura SLX, 'Chevrolet Trooper, 'Opel/Vauxhall Motors Monterey, 'Holden Jackaroo and Holden Monterey...
.

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Encyclopedia

The Acura MDX (Honda MDX in Japan
Japan

Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, People's Republic of China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south....
and Australia
Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the southern hemisphere comprising the Australia of the world's smallest continent, the major island of Tasmania, and numerous list of islands of Australia in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Oceans....
) is a mid-size crossover SUV
Crossover SUV

A crossover — variously called CUV or crossover utility vehicle — is a marketing term for a vehicle that derives from a car automobile platform while borrowing features from an Sport utility vehicle or Minivan....
produced by the Japan
Japan

Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, People's Republic of China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south....
ese automaker Acura
Acura

Acura is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company. It primarily competes with Buick, Lexus and Infiniti among others in the luxury vehicle segment....
since the 2001 model year. The MDX is the first crossover SUV to have third-row seating. It is related to the Honda Pilot
Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot is a mid-size SUV and is Honda's second SUV fully built and designed by Honda, released in the summer of 2002 for the 2003 model year to replace the body-on-frame Honda Passport, which was a Badge engineering Isuzu Rodeo, which was sold only in the United States, although the Passport was Honda's first SUV sold from 1994-2002....
. The Alphanumeric moniker stands for "Multi-Dimensional luXury". It is built by Honda of Canada Manufacturing Ltd. in Alliston, Ontario
Alliston, Ontario

Alliston, Ontario is a community in Simcoe County, Ontario in the Provinces and territories of Canada of Ontario. It is part of the Town of New Tecumseth, Ontario, the 1991 amalgamation of Alliston and nearby villages Beeton, Tottenham, and the Township of Tecumseth....
, Canada
Canada

Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean....
. It was introduced in late 2000 as a 2001 model, replacing the slow-selling U.S.
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
-only body-on-frame
Body-on-frame

Body-on-frame is an automobile construction technology. Mounting a separate body to a rigid frame which supports the drivetrain was the original method of building automobiles, and its use continues to this day....
SLX
Acura SLX

The Acura SLX was a mid-size sport utility vehicle sold by the Acura division of Honda from 1996 to 1999. It is a lightly upgraded Isuzu Trooper released at the same time as the Lexus LX and it was only sold in the United States....
, based on the Isuzu Trooper
Isuzu Trooper

The Isuzu Trooper is a mid-size SUV produced by the Japanese automaker Isuzu between 1981 and 2002. It was exported worldwide as the Isuzu Bighorn, Subaru Bighorn, 'Isuzu Trooper, 'Honda Horizon, 'Acura SLX, 'Chevrolet Trooper, 'Opel/Vauxhall Motors Monterey, 'Holden Jackaroo and Holden Monterey...
. In Japan, it filled a gap when the Honda Horizon (also based on the Trooper) was discontinued in 1999. In 2003, the MDX went on sale in Japan
Japan

Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, People's Republic of China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south....
and Australia
Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the southern hemisphere comprising the Australia of the world's smallest continent, the major island of Tasmania, and numerous list of islands of Australia in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Oceans....
as the Honda MDX. Australian MDXs were all equipped with the 2001-2003 Touring 'Kiwi' style wheels and were all equipped with the Rear-Seat DVD entertainment system. Acura is currently creating a crossover to slot above the MDX.

2001-2006

Derived from Honda's Global mid-size platform which underpins cars like the Honda Accord
Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is the series of midrange automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, and sold in most automotive markets throughout the world....
, Acura TL
Acura TL

The Acura TL is a mid-size luxury car from Honda's Acura brand. It was introduced in 1996 to supplant the Acura Vigor and was rebadged for the Japanese-market from 1996 to 2000 as the Honda Inspire and from 1996 to 2004 as the Honda Saber....
, Acura TSX
Acura TSX

The Acura TSX is an entry-level luxury car manufactured by Honda. Introduced in April 2003, it was sold only in the United States and Canada, but from the 2009 model year on it will also be available in Mexico....
and Honda Odyssey
Honda Odyssey

The Honda Odyssey, known in Europe as the Honda Shuttle, is a minivan, or "large MPV", produced by the Japanese automaker Honda since 1994....
, it is powered by a J35A3
Honda J engine

The J-series was Honda's second V6 engine family, introduced in 1996. It is a 60? V6 ? Honda's existing Honda C engine was a 90? engine. The J-series was designed for transverse engine mounting....
3.5 L SOHC 24 valve V6 with VTEC
VTEC

Introduction to VTECIn the regular four-stroke cycle automobile engine, the intake and exhaust valves are actuated by lobes on a camshaft. The shape of the lobes determines the timing, lift and duration of each valve....
. 2001-2002 3.5 V6's models produce and of torque from 3000 to 5000 rpm. 2003-2006 3471 cc (3.5 in x 3.6 in) model engine produces and . Curb weight is , with a wheelbase and of ground clearance. The cargo floor can flip up to provide two additional seats. The vehicle is designed to hold 7 passengers, but the third row seats are small.

The vehicle features an automatic four wheel drive
Four Wheel Drive

The Four Wheel Drive Auto Company, more often known as Four Wheel Drive or just FWD, was founded in 1909 in Clintonville, Wisconsin as the Badger Four-Wheel Drive Auto Company by Otto Zachow and William Besserdich....
system (named VTM-4) that engages during off the line acceleration as well as when wheel slippage is detected. Additionally, the system offers a lock mode which can be activated and operated at low speeds and provides permanent 4wd and the equivalent of a locked rear differential; designed for climbing steep hills and getting out of stuck situations. To reduce drivetrain noise and increase fuel efficiency, the system runs as front wheel drive during normal cruising. The VTM-4 AWD system in the MDX is identical to the VTM-4 systems in the Honda Pilot and Honda Ridgeline. It is different than the real time AWD system in the Honda CR-V in that it can lock and it attempts to predict when traction will be lost and apply power to all four wheels before slippage occurs (by monitoring throttle inputs). The Honda CR-V system waits for slippage to occur and then sends power back.

2003 and later models use a 5-speed automatic transmission. The 2001 and 2002 models use a 5 speed automatic transmission which suffered a significant numbers of transmission problems that were similar to the problems with the Acura CL
Acura CL

The Acura CL is a model of automobile manufactured by Honda's Acura brand from 1997-1999, and from 2001-2003. The CL is often thought to have been a replacement for the Acura Legend coupe....
and TL. However, they did not get the benefit of the free extended warranty that the Acura CL and TL received. The 2003 - 2006 models transmissions have so far shown normal failure rates. The 2003 and later models also received a number of structural and suspension modifications to help improve ride and handling.

The navigation system and DVD
DVD

DVD, also known as "Digital Versatile Disc" or "Digital Video Disc,"is a popular optical disc data storage device media format. Its main uses are video and data storage....
entertainment system options were mutually exclusive in the 2002 model. Both could be ordered at the same time since the 2003 model. The navigation option comes with a rear view video camera since the 2003 model. Since 2005 the navigation system featured information from Zagat about restaurants and other points of interest. The 2003 model was rated as Ultra Low Emission Vehicle
Ultra Low Emission Vehicle

An ultra low emission vehicle is a vehicle that emits extremely low levels of air pollutants compared to other vehicles. The term may be used in a general sense, but in some jurisdictions it is defined in law; low and ultra low emission vehicles may be given tax or other advantages, while high emission vehicles may suffer restrictions or addi...
. The United States Environmental Protection Agency? estimates highway and city.

The 2001-2006 MDXs' generally offer better gas mileage than competing SUVs and crossovers of similar size, interior volume, and weight (Ford Explorer
Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer is a mid-size sport utility vehicle sold in North America and built by the Ford Motor Company since 1990. It's manufactured in Louisville, Kentucky ....
and BMW X5
BMW X5

The BMW X5 is a mid-size crossover SUV sold by BMW since 1999, making it BMW's first SUV. It features all-wheel drive and is available with a range of gasoline List of BMW engines#Straight-6s and List of BMW engines#V8....
for example).

In the 2003 model, the engine was improved to produce 20 hp (15 kW) more power than the 2002 model and wheel designs were updated. The 2004 model received an additional 5 hp (4 kW). The 2004 model features dual tail pipes instead of the single pipe in earlier models, side curtain airbags, new head lights and tail lights, and new wheels. Some chrome trimmings on the 2004 model use matte finish to distinguish from the polished shiny finish on earlier models. Little changed for the MDX during the 2006 model year with a few minor revisions to the vehicle's chrome and faux wood interior trim.

2007-present (2G MDX)

On April 11, 2006 during the New York International Auto Show
New York International Auto Show

File:Car at New York Internatonial Auto Show.JPGThe New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in late March or early April. It is usually held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center....
, Acura unveiled the 2007 Acura MD-X Concept, showing to the public an indication about the exterior styling of the upcoming completely redesigned MDX. The second-generation MDX was released on October 17, 2006.

The second generation model's body has a wider track and longer wheelbase than the previous MDX, but visibility to the rear has worsened from the prior generation. The redesigned Acura MDX's unit-body
Monocoque

Monocoque, from Greek language for single and French for shell , is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin....
was engineered with Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure designed to absorb energy from a collision. The suspension was tuned at Germany
Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea; to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic; to the south by Austria and Switzerland; and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands....
's Nürburgring
Nürburgring

The N?rburgring, simply known as "The Ring" by enthusiasts, is a motorsport race track in N?rburg, Germany. It was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of N?rburg in the Eifel, which is about south of Cologne, and northwest of Frankfurt....
race track
Race track

A race track is a purpose-built facility for racing of animals , automobiles, motorcycles or sportsperson. A race track may also feature grandstands or concourses....
. The engine was upgraded to a 3.7 liter V6 tuned for and of torque and is estimated by the EPA to have in the city and on the highway.

Like all Acuras, the MDX comes with a high level of standard equipment, including a power moonroof, leather interior, and high intensity discharge
High-intensity discharge lamp

A High-intensity discharge lamp is a type of electric light which produces light by means of an electric arc between tungsten electrodes housed inside a translucent or transparent fused quartz or fused alumina arc tube....
(Xenon) low beam headlights.

Three option packages are available: Sport, Technology and Entertainment.
The Technology Package includes the Acura/Alpine DVD-based satellite GPS navigation system with AcuraLink satellite communications with real-time traffic reporting (XM NavTraffic), a 410-watt Acura/ELS DTS Surround audio system with XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio

XM Satellite Radio is one of two satellite radio services in the United States and Canada, operated by Sirius XM Radio. It provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to cable television....
, rearview camera, and a remote powered liftgate, operated either from the key's remote, inside the car or directly from the lift gate.

The Sport Package features active suspension dampers (co-developed by Honda and Delphi) that dynamically improves handling according to road conditions with a button in the center stack to switch to Sport/Comfort modes. This Comfort/Sport mode uses magneto rheological damper
Magneto rheological damper

A magnetorheological damper or magnetorheological shock absorber is a shock absorber filled with magnetorheological fluid, which is controlled by a magnetic field, usually using an electromagnet....
s, which change their characteristics when a magnetic field is introduced (usually in milliseconds). The Sport package also includes unique 5-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels, perforated leather seats and the items in the Technology package.

The Entertainment Package offers a flip-down LCD screen with 2 wireless Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital

File:Dolby-Digital.svgDolby Digital is the marketing name for a series of lossy data compression technologies developed by Dolby Laboratories....
headphones, second-row heated outboard seats, and a unique center-stack silver trim. The Entertainment Package is only available on Sport or Technology Package models as compared to the 1st Generation MDX where the Entertainment Package was available as a standalone package on Touring Models.

All Canadian Acura MDX models, aside from the heated front seats, also get the second-row heated outboard seats as standard equipment as well. A feature unique to Canadian MDX models is headlight washers. In terms of packages, Canadian MDX models get only two: Technology and Elite. The Technology package corresponds essentially to the US model's Technology package while the Elite package is an amalgamation of the US model's Sport and Entertainment packages. However, AcuraLink real-time traffic reporting through XM NavTraffic is unavailable for Canadian MDX models.

Like the 1st generation model, the new generation is manufactured by Honda of Canada Manufacturing Ltd. in Alliston, Ontario, Canada. But along with the 2007 RDX
Acura RDX

The Acura RDX is Acura?s first compact SUV Crossover . Originally previewed as the Acura RD-X concept car, the production RDX had its debut at the 2006 New York Auto Show and went on sale on August 11, 2006....
, the new MDX was the first Acura model to pass the Acura Quality Line, a special quality control and verification process separate from the other Honda vehicles.

In May 2007, the MDX was tested by the Car and Driver magazine against the Volkswagen Touareg
Volkswagen Touareg

The Volkswagen Touareg is a mid-size car sport utility vehicle produced by German automaker Volkswagen since 2003. It was the second Sport Utility Vehicle from the automaker, after the much older Volkswagen 181....
, Volvo XC90 Sport
Volvo XC90

The Volvo XC90 is a mid-size luxury SUV crossover SUV produced by Volvo Cars since it was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show 2002. It is based on the P2 Automobile platform, shared with the first generation Volvo S80 and other large Volvo cars....
, Lexus GX470
Lexus GX

The Lexus GX is a mid-size Luxury vehicle-type sport utility vehicle sold in North American markets by Lexus since 2003. The Lexus GX 470 was first introduced in the United States at the North American International Auto Show in 2002 as a 2003 model, and subsequently became the third SUV to enter Lexus' lineup....
, Mercedes-Benz ML350, Cadillac SRX AWD V-8
Cadillac SRX

The Cadillac SRX is a mid-size Crossover produced by the Cadillac division of United States automaker General Motors since the 2004 model year....
, BMW X5
BMW X5

The BMW X5 is a mid-size crossover SUV sold by BMW since 1999, making it BMW's first SUV. It features all-wheel drive and is available with a range of gasoline List of BMW engines#Straight-6s and List of BMW engines#V8....
, and Land Rover LR3. The MDX won the comparison by a vast margin.

The redesigned MDX overtook the TL
Acura TL

The Acura TL is a mid-size luxury car from Honda's Acura brand. It was introduced in 1996 to supplant the Acura Vigor and was rebadged for the Japanese-market from 1996 to 2000 as the Honda Inspire and from 1996 to 2004 as the Honda Saber....
as Acura's top seller in the United States.

2008
For 2008 the MDX received a new auto-dimming rearview mirror.

2009

The 2009 MDX had added more upgrades to the navigation system and there are two new colors added. The power tailgate, previously available only with the Entertainment package, is now included with Technology and Sport packages.

Safety
The MDX is ahead of the competition with regards to its construction in rear collisions: It will withstand a rear collision up to an hour, well above the basic standard currently required by the NHTSA. However, rear-window visibility is worse than in previous models.

Awards

The MDX won the North American Truck of the Year
North American Car of the Year

The North American Car of the Year is an automobile award voted annually in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The jury consists of no more than 50 automotive journalists....
award for 2001.
The MDX was also Car and Driver
Car and Driver

Car and Driver is an United States automobile enthusiast magazine. Its total Magazine circulation is 1.31 million. It is owned by Hachette Filipacchi M?dias....
magazine's Best Luxury SUV
Car and Driver Ten Best

Car and Driver magazine annually nominates a list of what it considers the Ten Best cars and Five Best trucks.All production vehicles for sale in that calendar year are considered with these restrictions:...
.
Motor Trend
Motor Trend

File:motor trend cover.jpgMotor Trend is an automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, issued by Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles, California, and bearing the tag line The Magazine for a Motoring World. Petersen Publishing was sold to British publisher EMAP in 1998, who sold the former Petersen magazines to...
magazine's Sport/Utility of the Year
Car of the Year

Car of the Year is a phrase usually considered to have been invented by Motor Trend magazine in the 1950s for their annual award for best automobile....
that year.
The MDX also won the Top Safety Pick award for the 2007 model year.

US sales figures

Calendar Year Total American sales
2000 9,750
2001 40,950
2002 52,955
2003 57,281
2004 59,505
2005 57,948
2006 54,121
2007 58,606
2008 45,377

External links