Fourth Generation Acura MDX

The all-new, fourth-generation, Acura MDX crossover has arrived with some nearly improved looks, a new interior, new tech, and more importantly, improved performance that makes customers scratching heads for more answers at the moment they got their hands on. So, what's it all about the new MDX?

Priced at 46,900 US Dollars plus additional costs, the all-new, fourth-generation MDX is a step forward for the best-seller that enjoys spitting its saliva to the face of the Audi Q5 and that's quite a surprise for those squinting their eyes towards this new model.

Acura went crazy over the publicity of the new model, saying it traces its roots from their popular sports cars such as the Integra and the NSX, as well as their success in motorsports including IMSA. They call this heritage, I called it a symbolic pain in the butt because of the dynamics that are not sportscar material...or is it?

The Prototype version gave Acura fans a glimpse of what the new MDX looked like and with the production version, it's nearly similar to the prototype, which is relatively superior by the looks of it. From the signature precision grille, sharp-looking headlamps that are no longer a threat to people with trypophobia, sharp sidelines, and the rear lamps inspired from the second-generation TLX saloon. Clearly, you can refer to it as a TLX with some extra seats at the back, but that would be nuts to call it for a seven-seater SUV that brags about its sportscar-like performance.

Come inside, you will be greeted by its driver-oriented interior that not only looks good to the driver behind the wheel but also the passengers sitting on it. Of course, while it features some of the show-off stuff worth toying around such as the Dynamic Mode switch, ambient lighting, AcuraLink, smartphone connectivity, ELS STUDIO 3D premium audio system, and so on, the new MDX still works as a family car, although the third-row seating's a bit cramped just like the one found in the Honda CR-V. Even the removable middle seat at the second-row couldn't help it. Still, even with the third-row seats present, the new MDX still has room for today's grocery list and if you need to store more in case you're using this crossover for your delivery work, you can fold the seats down and you have a workhorse that is capable of storing up to 95 cubic feet of stuff. It's a crossover that is great for men of all walks of life.

Now, we get to know more about its performance and why Acura's hellbent on tracing the MDX's performance to their iconic sportscars in an absurd manner.

Under the hood, the new MDX is powered by a 3.5L V6 engine producing 290HP of power and 267lb-ft of torque while mated to a ten-speed automatic gearbox. Despite being more powerful than the new TLX, it couldn't keep up against it due to the weight but on the plus side, that performance gives the new MDX up to 3,500lbs of towing, which is great for towing your NSX on your next track day. As for fuel economy, the new MDX delivers an EPA-estimated mileage of 22 MPG combined.

Apart from the performance, the new MDX is the first Acura SUV to have a new double-wishbone front suspension and in addition to its ultra-rigid chassis, variable-ratio steering with new electric power steering, and its bespoke platform, it's no wonder why Acura bragged the new MDX into thinking that this three-row crossover has the dynamics of their iconic sportscars and although it's hard buying into this nonsense, it really showcases its sporty and lively character from within and when you toy around with the Integrated Dynamics System, you'll find plenty of reasons to enjoy it.

Having satisfied with the improved dynamics this crossover delivers, the new MDX features a wide array of safety tech under the AcuraWatch banner such as Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist System, Pedestrian Detection, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Traffic Jam Assist, among many others worth noticing about.

It's absurd to call the MDX the crossover inspired by Acura's greatest sports cars in such as the Integra and the NSX but this crossover sure knows how fun it can be when you give it a spin. Either way, this new MDX is a major improvement compared to the previous model and until the time comes that it spawned a sporty Type S variant, looks like Acura's on the roll now.

Photo: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.