- suv 257,932
- 1,551 below average
- 2,995 great
- Westlake, OH
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- autoshopper.com
- 1,551 below average suv 257,932 gasoline black automatic
2001 acura mdx review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Maybe late to the party but worth the wait. introductionthe acura mdx is a totally new sport-utility vehicle. It represents honda's acceptance that the luxury suv market is big and still rapidly growing. if honda ever believed sport-utility vehicles would become such a monster success in the marketplace the company did not act like it. Late to the suv party, honda rebadged the isuzu rodeo as the honda passport. The isuzu trooper emerged as the acura slx. now comes the much-anticipated in-house suv. All this is wrapped in a neat though not flashy package with the calm attention to detail expected of things honda. lineupthe mdx is the model of simplicity with many features but only two options. Standard are leather seating surfaces (first and second row seats) with leather door inserts; wood-patterned trim; keyless remote entry; power windows, door locks and mirrors, power tilt and sliding moonroof; cruise control, seven-speaker am-fm/cassette stereo with in-dash cd player; power adjustable front seats; alloy wheels and a multi-function digital trip computer. the engine (a 3. 5-liter vtec) generates 240 horsepower and 245 lb-ft of torque happily available from 3000 to 5000 rpm. A novel addition to the nav system, uniquely appropriate for a vehicle equipped to seek out the uncharted outbacks, is a feature that leaves 'electronic bread crumbs' on screen. A problem not unknown to acura and honda has been production restraints. Demand often outpaces availability. A new plant is in preparation but will not be ready for 14 months. This may help put the mdx in strong demand. walkaroundthe acura people speak of the mdx's 'athletic' appearance. A casual look reveals a sturdy, stable-appearing machine with a wider, firmer stance than its competitors. Limited overhang gives it a denser, compact air. Large taillights also add to the straightforward sense of a strong presence. the mdx does not draw a gasp for unique design or beauty of line. The motherly answer: pretty enough for all 'normal purposes.' what isn't obvious except in a body-off view is the duality of the construction of the mdx. It is both unibody and body on frame! This centaur-like approach gives uncommon rigidity and strength gained from the longitudinal rails with eight box-section cross members. So they have given thought to either rugged use or flooded roads. That goes beyond the usual 'neutralize bad weather' approach of suvs. interiorthe airy perforated leather on the seat is echoed in the side panels, the steering wheel and the shift knob. There is nothing swoopy or eye-popping about the instrument panel, just easily read instruments with an unobstructed view. Honda's simple large knobs fall easily to hand and are easy to operate whether that hand is wearing mittens or has long fingernails. The overall sense is the serenity of simplicity. the air bag fits flat into the fascia of fake animal hide, which looks better than it sounds. The sun visors have extensions for those sharp shafts of sun angling low at dawn and dusk. They are a dandy bonus for kids who seem to like far-away places. Every seat in the house has a shoulder harness as well as a lap belt. (many suvs do not come with a shoulder belt in the rear center position.) and there are anchors for child seats seemingly everywhere. Lots of cup holders, too. but maybe the most impressive feature is the split air-conditioning system. Not only can those in back have a different temperature than the front-seat riders, but one zone can get heat while another gets air conditioning. They split as well for a varied mix of people and stuff. space and cargo flexibility are superior to the class. driving impressionsuvs are the offspring of cars and trucks. Which side of the family they most resemble is a design choice. High ride height and long suspension travel can lead to excessive lean in corners and a greater possibility of rollover should a curb or pothole get in the way. And the ride can be rough and lurchy. now auntie car is far smoother on paved surfaces, taking to corners with a quick turn-in and a secure grip. Some have chosen to forego off-road competence with a more comfortable - and comforting - ride on city streets and highways. These are suvs that tend to favor auntie car. (the mercedes m-class does have a transfer case and a low range, however. Its highway manners are excellent with secure cornering, though perhaps without the keen turn-in of the bmw x5. The mdx feels extremely stable and as untippable as a rhino. acceleration is better than any of those auntie car machines (and all of the uncle trucks). The mdx will get to 60 mph from a stop in 9 seconds, a full second faster than the nearest competitor. The mesa-shaped torque curve gives comforting acceleration (for merging and passing) at any speed. And the brakes are absolute standouts, responsive and secure. mdx is capable of towing 3500 to 4500 pounds, capability normally considered an uncle truck trait. as for off-road, the mdx makes up for the absence of a transfer-case and a granny gear with a regular low gear that is extra low. The mdx is normally in front-wheel drive for reasons of economy. Some all-wheel-drive systems normally cruise in front-wheel drive, but when their sensors detect slippage the rear wheels are engaged. Slippage, the acura engineers reason, can only occur under acceleration. And so the mdx engages the rear wh. Cruise Control✔ AM/FM✔ Power Windows✔ CD Changer✔ CD Player✔ Navigation System✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Air Conditioning✔ Alloy Wheels
2,995 Westlake, OHWestlake, OH at autoshopper.com