2001 Acura MDX: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Acura's first SUV uses the platform and powertrain of parent Honda's Odyssey minivan. MDX seats seven and is longer overall than the rival 5-seat BMW X5 and Lexus RX 300. Its 2nd- and 3rd-row bench seats fold flat with the load floor. Standard are front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, rear air conditioning, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and 17-inch alloy wheels. A V6 with 5-speed automatic transmission is the sole powertrain. It links to an all-wheel-drive system without low-range gearing. A navigation system is optional. The Touring model adds a power passenger seat, in-dash CD changer, and other features.

COMPETITION

This is by far the hottest market segment right now. Crowded with more than 20 vehicles, midsize SUVs vary in size and type but nearly all seat five adults and offer V6 or V8 engines. Our Best Buy is the car-based Lexus RX 300. Though it lacks a low range in 4WD mode, it's the most carlike to drive and offers all of the versatility of a truck-based model.

Our Recommended choices are all traditional SUVs: the Dodge Durango, which offers optional third-row seating; the best-selling Ford Explorer clone Mercury Mountaineer; the Teutonic Mercedes-Benz M-Class; the utilitarian Nissan Xterra; and the refined but expensive Toyota 4Runner.