Third Generation Acura MDX

2014 Acura MDX

Well, what we have here is an Acura MDX except that now, it's been regenerated to a completely different look and for the all-new, third-generation model, I can easily confuse it to its little brother, the RDX. How confusing is the new model? Well, beginning to the design department, and at first glance, it really looks like an Acura RDX enlarged by some kind of "growth ray" or something, and on the back, the rear lamps were designed to look like the ones as seen on the RLX flagship model and then there are Acura's new signature Jewel Eye headlamps which is kinda irritating for those who had Trypophobia.

If you don't know what that is, it's about fear of clustered holes. It's not classified yet but once you see one, you'll feeling nauseous, your skin crawls, your stomach turns, and you might be skipping lunch today. That's exactly what it feels like when you take a peek over the Jewel Eye headlamps. Ooohh.... I really don't want to peek over these headlamps in case I had the bad case of trypophobia!

2014 Acura MDX

Whatever that is, this new MDX is not suitable for those who had trypophobia because of its jewel eye headlamps and whoever has a fear of that kind should consider not to look at one or they'll be skipping lunch for today. However, don't be fooled thinking that this feels more of a regular crossover rather than a luxury crossover because from what Acura said, the new model is now lighter from the previous models' 4,548 - 4,588lbs to 4,025-4,103lbs (FWD) and 4,255-4,322lbs for the SH-AWD model.

Just how did Acura manage to drop such weight? Well, what Acura did to this new model is by making it rigid and using high-strength steel. Previous incarnations rely on an existing Global Light Truck Platform but for this new model, it's an all-original one and it's made from scratch rather than reusing that existing platform because of what Acura said in the development of the new MDX, they had enough of that. Yep. They have had it and decided to make the new model out of a new platform rather than relying on the old platform.

The use of a new original platform really makes the MDX, Acura's best-selling crossover in America, made even more distinguishable and when equipped with the SH-AWD system, this is even much better than the front-wheel-drive model because with the SH-AWD, it kinda feels like the old Honda Legend in so many ways except this is a crossover with the right kind of drivetrain. This is quite a recommendation here because a new MDX with the SH-AWD layout should be more forgiving and more civilized. Sadly though, there is a "but"...

The old 3.7L V6 has now been thrown away and went back to a 3.5L V6 engine but now with added gasoline direct injection. It develops 290HP of power, 10 less than the old one but because it's lighter than the old model, 0-60mph takes under seven seconds, while mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission. For fuel consumption, well, thanks to its weight loss, the EPA estimated MPG is now 27MPG highway on the SH-AWD model and 28MPG highway on the front-wheel-drive model.

I once checked the previous MDX a couple of years ago and when it went through our Car Town garage since last year, I carefully examined about why the MDX is all about practicality and convenience, making it a state-of-the-art Togetherness. For this new model, it still has state-of-the-art togetherness even in its newly regenerated look.

2014 Acura MDX interior

2014 Acura MDX interior

But all this newly regenerated look do come with the price, it's available for 42,290 US Dollars but when you go through the packages list, and whichever package you chose, you can expect a host of additional features to choose from such as:

• Acura Navigation System
• Voice Recognition & Song by Voice
• AcuraLink with Real-Time Traffic
• Blind Spot Information System
• Forward Collision Warning System
• Lane Departure Warning System
• ELS Studio Premium Audio System
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio & HD Radio
• Rear-door Smart Entry
• GPS-linked Temperature Control
• 19-inch wheels & Puddle lights
• Acura DVD Rear Entertainment System (RES)
• 9-inch overhead screen
• Front center console 110-volt power outlet
• Wireless headphones and remote
• Rear-door window shades
• Tri-level heated 2nd-row outboard seats
• Ceiling-mounted center speaker
• Perforated Milano leather-trimmed 1st & 2nd row seats
• 6-level heated & ventilated front seats
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) w/ Low Speed Follow
• Collision Mitigation Braking System
• Lane Keeping Assist System
• Remote Engine Start
• RES with 16.2-inch overhead screen and HDMI input
• Two ceiling-mounted center speakers
• Auto-dimming side mirrors
• Front and rear parking sensors

Well, for starters, when you have over 60 grand on your wallet, you can go for the MDX with Advance and Entertainment Packages because of the dual-screen rear monitor where two screens are in one monitor rather than separated from the seats so kids can enjoy two movies in one monitor. What I don't want to expect is to have one little 10 year-older watching a kids cartoon while an unruly 18-year-old teenage girl watching a horror movie on one side. Ooohh...that's going to be a hassle and that poor kid can't concentrate watching his favorite cartoon while a super gory horror movie on one side is on the mix. He he he....

And there we are, the all-new 2014 MDX may have terribly confusing looks and the headlamps not suitable for those with Trypophobia as well as the front-wheel drive's frustration but with the reduced weight, the forgiving SH-AWD, and the dual-screen rear monitor which is part of a package that costs you under 60 grand, it's really not that bad.

Available Colors: White Diamond Pearl, Silver Moon, Graphite Luster Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Fathom Blue Pearl, Forest Mist Metallic, and Dark Cherry Pearl.

Photo: Acura