CochonChien
04-01-2004, 04:15 PM
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automotive/promo/chi-040401acura-all.story
From the Allentown Morning Call
When is a crossover like a minivan?
Acura MDX has all the amenities of a family vehicle with a sporting flair
Advertisement
By Larry Printz
Of The Morning Call
March 28, 2004
Minivan. Family bus. Wagon.
To some, these words are an anathema. Better to drive a crossover SUV. It looks sort of like a truck, but it doesn't look like a minivan, family bus or wagon.
But after spending a week in a new 2004 Acura MDX crossover SUV, it strikes me that the MDX is indeed a minivan, family bus and wagon.
As a matter of fact, the only thing missing from the fully loaded test sample was some sticky food residue on the center row seats and ''Finding Nemo'' in the optional DVD player.
There was little that seemed rugged or adventurous about the Acura MDX, which would suit the average Honda/Acura buyer, who would seem to be a conservative sort anyway.
The Acura's cabin will please these buyers, with pleasant leather and acceptably convincing test-tube wood. A large TV screen accents the center of the dashboard and after all, what family room is complete without a screen of some sort?
Of course, everyone's life needs a soundtrack, so the MDX is equipped with a very gratifying Bose music system with a 225-watt amplifier; it's a most welcome accompaniment for the task at hand.
That task is driving.
For 2004, the MDX gets a wee bit more power. Horsepower jumps from 260 to 265, with torque jumping from 250 to 253. Power is routed through a responsive five-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel-drive is standard, as is vehicle stability control (to prevent rollovers), anti-lock disc brakes, and a tire pressuring monitoring system.
Driving the MDX is a somewhat sporting affair, although you'd never call it sports-car nimble. Day-to-day driving is enjoyable, as enjoyable as any minivan, family bus or wagon. The suspension is fully independent and it gives a fairly compliant ride.
Acura's new drive-by-wire throttle eliminates the mechanical connection between the accelerator and the engine. It's hard to discern any difference from the previous system.
The only real sore point in the whole system is the brakes. Braking was unprogressive and it took some time to slow down.
Fuel economy was good for a minivan, family bus, or wagon, with overall mileage around 19 mpg. The MDX dines on premium unleaded.
Outside, the MDX gets revised styling front and rear, although only other MDX owners will notice.
While there is little that is exciting here, this is just the way Acura customers want it.
The ironic thing is, despite not wanting to drive a minivan, family bus or wagon, that is in fact what they are doing. The MDX uses a Honda Odyssey minivan platform, albeit at a price much higher than an Odyssey.
Prices for the MDX test vehicle, which included a DVD player and navigation system, started at $42,700. The bottom line was $43,245.
But if you like the MDX and feel that it is superior to any other minivan, family bus, or wagon, it might just be worth raiding the kid's college funds to nab one.
lprintz@mcall.com
610-820-6713
Copyright © 2004, The Morning Call
From the Allentown Morning Call
When is a crossover like a minivan?
Acura MDX has all the amenities of a family vehicle with a sporting flair
Advertisement
By Larry Printz
Of The Morning Call
March 28, 2004
Minivan. Family bus. Wagon.
To some, these words are an anathema. Better to drive a crossover SUV. It looks sort of like a truck, but it doesn't look like a minivan, family bus or wagon.
But after spending a week in a new 2004 Acura MDX crossover SUV, it strikes me that the MDX is indeed a minivan, family bus and wagon.
As a matter of fact, the only thing missing from the fully loaded test sample was some sticky food residue on the center row seats and ''Finding Nemo'' in the optional DVD player.
There was little that seemed rugged or adventurous about the Acura MDX, which would suit the average Honda/Acura buyer, who would seem to be a conservative sort anyway.
The Acura's cabin will please these buyers, with pleasant leather and acceptably convincing test-tube wood. A large TV screen accents the center of the dashboard and after all, what family room is complete without a screen of some sort?
Of course, everyone's life needs a soundtrack, so the MDX is equipped with a very gratifying Bose music system with a 225-watt amplifier; it's a most welcome accompaniment for the task at hand.
That task is driving.
For 2004, the MDX gets a wee bit more power. Horsepower jumps from 260 to 265, with torque jumping from 250 to 253. Power is routed through a responsive five-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel-drive is standard, as is vehicle stability control (to prevent rollovers), anti-lock disc brakes, and a tire pressuring monitoring system.
Driving the MDX is a somewhat sporting affair, although you'd never call it sports-car nimble. Day-to-day driving is enjoyable, as enjoyable as any minivan, family bus or wagon. The suspension is fully independent and it gives a fairly compliant ride.
Acura's new drive-by-wire throttle eliminates the mechanical connection between the accelerator and the engine. It's hard to discern any difference from the previous system.
The only real sore point in the whole system is the brakes. Braking was unprogressive and it took some time to slow down.
Fuel economy was good for a minivan, family bus, or wagon, with overall mileage around 19 mpg. The MDX dines on premium unleaded.
Outside, the MDX gets revised styling front and rear, although only other MDX owners will notice.
While there is little that is exciting here, this is just the way Acura customers want it.
The ironic thing is, despite not wanting to drive a minivan, family bus or wagon, that is in fact what they are doing. The MDX uses a Honda Odyssey minivan platform, albeit at a price much higher than an Odyssey.
Prices for the MDX test vehicle, which included a DVD player and navigation system, started at $42,700. The bottom line was $43,245.
But if you like the MDX and feel that it is superior to any other minivan, family bus, or wagon, it might just be worth raiding the kid's college funds to nab one.
lprintz@mcall.com
610-820-6713
Copyright © 2004, The Morning Call