2002 Acura MDX Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Noise-reduction measures highlight the 2002 Acura MDX, which is derived from parent-company Honda's Odyssey minivan. MDX seats seven and is longer overall than the rival 5-seat 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, 17-inch alloy wheels, and now a rear wiper/washer. A V6 teams with a 5-speed automatic transmission and 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. Both models get thicker windshield glass, added sound-dampening material, reshaped door mirrors, and a repositioned roof rack, all designed to reduce noise levels. Rear child-seat anchors are also added. Honda has introduced a less-expensive version of the MDX as the 2003 Pilot.

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 Buys are the Acura MDX and Toyota Highlander. Both offer competence, convenience, and attractive pricing and design. They lack serious off-road 4WD systems, however.

Our Recommended choices feature more-traditional SUVs: the Dodge Durango, which offers optional third-row seating; the top-selling Ford Explorer; the utilitarian Nissan Xterra; and the refined GMC Envoy. If you don't venture off-road too far take a look at the car-based Lexus RX 300 as well.

News

Acura's first SUV rang up nearly 41,000 sales from its early-2000 introduction through the end of calendar '01. Demand remains strong into 2002, up 11.2 percent year-to-year for the first quarter. Acura still can't keep up with demand, which is why discounts remain almost impossible to find.

MDX will keep its basic design for awhile, but the 2003 edition will reportedly get a V6 enlarged to 3.8 liters and perhaps 280-290 hp. The move is intended to distance Acura's SUV from Honda's related new Pilot, which offers the MDX powertrain in a more family-oriented, lower-cost package.

2002 Acura MDX Road Test

Pros	Cons

Build quality	Climate controls

Interior materials	Fuel economy

Passenger and cargo room	Navigation-system controls

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Base	Touring w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	5	5.1

V8 SUVs have more muscle, but MDX is lively enough in most situations, and aided by smooth, prompt transmission shifts, is as fast as most 6-cyl rivals. Test Touring model clocked 8.7 sec 0-60 mph.

Fuel Economy

Base	Touring w/nav. sys.	Class Average
4	4	3.3

Slightly better than the 6-cyl midsize-SUV norm, but premium fuel required. One test MDX averaged 17.8 mpg in city/freeway driving, another 19.3 in mainly highway use.

Ride Quality

Base	Touring w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	5	4.3

Firm but not jolting even over large bumps, though a Lexus RX or Toyota Highlander is better at ironing out lumpy freeways.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base	Touring w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	5	4.2

Not X5 athletic, but more nimble than RX 300 or a Mercedes M-Class. Sporty at reasonable cornering speeds, with moderate SUV body lean, but feels typically unsteady in sudden swerves. ABS provides short stops with little nosedive, but the brakes were touchy on our test Touring model.

Quietness

Base	Touring w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	5	4.5

Noise-reduction measures largely erase most marked tire hum and pronounced highway wind rush that plagued 2001 MDX. Engine smooth, audibly pleasant, but not luxury-car hushed.

Controls

Base	Touring w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	6	4.7

High-mount climate controls a far reach in models without navigation system, and their indicator lights can wash out in daytime. Acura's navigation system easier to use than most, but can still be distracting to operate. Gauges, other controls clear, convenient. Upscale, contemporary cabin design; materials quality just a notch below BMW, Lexus, Mercedes.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base	Touring w/nav. sys.	Class Average
8	8	7.3

All but the very tall have good head and leg room. Seats comfortable and supportive, driving stance efficient, visibility good.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base	Touring w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	7	6.2

Ample 2nd-row knee and head room, plus just enough width for three adults. Third-row seat is kidsize, but useful. Both seats have reclining backrests; 2nd-row seat also slides fore/aft.

Cargo Room

Base	Touring w/nav. sys.	Class Average
8	8	7.4

Not much with a full passenger load, but numerous seat-folding options compensate. Second- and 3rd-row seats easy and quick to stow, far more convenient than rivals' removable seats. Load deck a bit high.

Value within Class

Base	Touring w/nav. sys.	Class Average
10	9	4.5

A highly desirable blend of competence and convenience. Its ride can be truck-lumpy at times, but overall refinement, generous standard equipment, and competitive pricing make MDX a Best Buy.

Total Score

Base	Touring w/nav. sys.	Class Average
64	62	51.5

Scores for all Premium Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		37
Average Score		51
High Score		64

2002 Acura MDX Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 03/28/2002

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-door wagon	$34,700	$31,262	$500

Base w/navigation system 4-door wagon	$36,700	$33,062	$500

Touring 4-door wagon	$37,300	$33,602	$500

Touring w/navigation system 4-door wagon	$39,300	$35,402	$500

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

3.5-liter V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/front and rear automatic climate controls, power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, 7-passenger seating, heated front bucket seats, 8-way power driver seat, center console, cupholders, second- and third-row split folding bench seats, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, digital clock, power sunroof, illuminated visor mirrors, universal garage-door opener, automatic day/night rearview mirror, trip computer, map lights, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer, automatic-off headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, rear privacy glass, fog lights.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

235/65R17 tires, alloy wheels.

Touring adds to Base:

Comfort and Convenience Features

8-way power passenger seat, memory system for driver seat and mirrors, tilt-down passenger-side mirror, Bose AM/FM/cassette w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Roof rack.

Optional Equipment

No factory options.

2002 Acura MDX Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Acura MDX 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	106.3

Overall Length, in.	188.5

Overall Width, in.	76.3

Overall Height, in.	68.7

Curb Weight, lbs.	4328

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	81.5

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	19.2

Seating Capacity	7

Front Head Room, in.	38.7

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.5

Rear Head Room, in.	39.0

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	37.8

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	sohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.5 /212

Horsepower @ rpm.	240 @ 5300

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	245 @ 3000

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed automatic	17/23

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Acura MDX 4-door wagon

Front Impact, Driver	5

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	5/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	4/50,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Canada

Drivewheels: all-wheel drive

< 2002 Acura MDX Photos

Also in the 2002 Acura MDX Review:

Acura MDX

Acura MDX Road Test

Acura MDX Prices & Equipment

Acura MDX Specs & Safety

Acura MDX Photos

Acura MDX Full Review

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