2011 Acura MDX

The Acura MDX offers only a single trim level known as Base. The price of the Base trim is $42,930. It gets features such as enhanced suspension, adaptive shock absorbers, and parking assist. It also features various convenience and creature comforts like leather upholstery, three-zone climate control and an eight-speaker audio system to take care of your entertainment needs. 

Apart from this, the 2011 Acura MDX offers 4 different packages to choose from, mainly known as the Technology Package, Technology and Entertainment Package, Advance Package, and Advance and Entertainment Package. The price of the packages starts from $46,605 and goes up to $54,455. These packages add many additional driver aids and features.

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We recommend you go for the Technology Package as it offers plenty of features for added opulence like turn signal mirrors, Remote Anti-Theft Alarm System, Emergency Braking, and many more that are missing in the Base Technology package. These features make the MDX more well-equipped while keeping the price fairly affordable.

The 2011 Acura MDX is available in only one engine option. It comes with a 3.7L V6 engine that produces 300 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. The drivetrain is AWD with a 6-speed shiftable automatic gearbox which is standard across the entire range. The engine is very refined and the handling is superb. The engine does not feel under stress even at high speeds. As for the acceleration, this engine can do 0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds and a quarter-mile in 15.4 seconds.

The Acura MDX beats its competition in the 0-60 mph and quarter-mile timings. The Audi Q7 on the other hand is the slowest in terms of its acceleration performance while the Lexus RX 350 has a very low top speed as compared to its rivals. The Buick Enclave is the most affordable SUV here while the Audi Q7 undoubtedly costs a premium over its competitors. in this comparison. 

Along with being a performer with its 3.7L V6, the MDX does pretty well in terms of fuel efficiency as well. The 3.7L V6 engine provides 16 mog in the city, 21 mpg on the highway, and 18 mpg combined. Moreover, it features a sizable 21-gallon fuel tank which offers a sufficient range to go 378 miles between fuel stops which is on par with the segment but could make do with a larger fuel tank. 

The Lexus RX 350 is the most fuel-efficient of the lot followed by the Buick Enclave coming second on the list with a marginally lower fuel efficiency. Meanwhile, the Acura MDX and the Audi Q7 have average fuel economy ratings but falls a bit short against rivals like the Lexus and the Buick. That being said, the massive gas tank employed by Audi results in class-leading driving range, much higher than what Acura has to offer.

As soon as you enter the cabin you will be in awe of the beautifully crafted interior. The MDX has high-quality materials used throughout the interior. The dashboard is designed like a cockpit of a fighter jet. The doors and the dashboard are so streamlined that it looks cohesive. The two-tone interior throughout the cabin looks beautiful. Small bits and pieces of wooden trims make the MDX feel more premium. The center console has a lot of buttons with the infotainment system integrated into the dashboard.

The front seats are adequately cushioned and are very comfortable along with proper bolstering as well. The arm-rest is wide enough and comfortable for both the driver as well as the passenger. As for the second row, legroom is abundant. The rear seats are also comfortable, even for long rides and three adults can sit comfortably with shoulder room to spare. Overall the entire interior layout of the MDX is very well designed with comfort and beauty at its peak.

The Acura MDX has less space with the least legroom in the third row which can only accommodate younger kids. The Enclave, on the other hand, has the best-in-class third-row space which can fit adults for shorter duration drives. Meanwhile, Lexus RX 350 has more cargo space than its competitors but it lacks third-row seats. Overall, the Enclave has the most amount of space for both the passengers and their luggage. 

Some of the key interior features on offer are:

• Driver’s seat with 10-way power adjustment including 2-way power lumbar support and 2-position memory
• Front passenger’s seat with 8-way power adjustment
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
• Ambient cabin lighting
• Tri-zone front and rear synchronized automatic climate control with humidity control and air-filtration system

How intuitive is the 2011 Acura MDX’s infotainment unit?

The 2011 Acura MDX has a 9-inch LCD touchscreen infotainment system. The display is of good quality and there is no screen glare issue whatsoever. The touchscreen is not the best but not the worst either. However, the display at times can be laggy. It has an XM satellite radio with which you can listen to your favorite radio station on the 8-speaker 253-watt audio system with a subwoofer which can be upgraded to an Acura ELS 410-watt premium surround sound system that sounds just incredible.

Some of the key infotainment features are:

• A 9-inch LCD infotainment display
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• XM Satellite radio
• Auxiliary input jack
• 8-speaker 253-watt audio system with a subwoofer
• Upgradable Acura ELS 410-watt premium surround sound system

The 2011 model year has no updates to the exterior as well. It has a bland and outdated exterior design. The car is way too curvy and wide. The 18-inch wheels on the Base variant look very small on a vehicle this big. The chrome grille looks way too odd, especially when rivals like the Q7 look particularly attractive with subtle design cues. There are small bits of chrome accents everywhere. Overall, the MDX needs a full redesign to stay relevant and competitive against its rivals.

The exterior dimensions of the Acura MDX are on par with its rivals. However, the road presence of the Audi Q7 is the best as it is bigger than most of its competitors in the market, and hence also weighs the most. The Acura MDX has the highest ground clearance whereas the Lexus RX 350 has rides much lower to the ground. It is also the most compact crossover here and hence has the lowest curb weight. 

Some of the key exterior features on offer are:

• 18" aluminum-alloy wheels
• Dual-outlet exhaust
• Fog lights
• Front and rear splash guards
• HID low-beam headlamps
• LED taillamps
• Power moonroof with tilt feature and auto-open/close

The Acura MDX performs very well in crash tests. It has received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and has received ‘GOOD’ ratings from the IIHS in almost every category it was tested for fro the 2011 model year. It is packed with a plethora of safety features as well. Some of the safety features of the MDX include four-wheel ABS, front knee airbags, front second and third-row airbags along with full-length side curtains airbags.

Some of the standout safety features are:

• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Trailer Stability Assist
• Active front seat head restraints
• Immobilizer Theft-Deterrent System
• Electronic Brake Distribution
• Brake assist

The 2011 Acura MDX is truly a luxurious car with comfort at its peak. Its performance and handling are equally laudable, especially for a Crossover SUV. Moreover, It offers impressive MPG figures which makes it practical as well. The exterior may seem outdated but the interior is beautiful and loaded with plenty of features. So, if that doesn’t bother you, the 2011 MDX is a great option for someone looking for a premium SUV.