2014 Acura MDX

Starting at a $42,290, 2014 Acura MDX comes in just one trim which is powered by the 3.5L engine. Although there are no specific trims to choose from, there are the available optional packages that come with the MDX. You can choose the package that suits your necessities or style. However, the base trim comes pretty well equipped as it comes with leather upholstery, heated and power-adjustable front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a USB port, an eight-speaker audio system, a touch screen, and a rearview camera.

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The standard trim comes pretty well equipped as it is but you can opt for the different packages that would suit your taste. The different packages juggle between infotainment and safety features. As standard, the MDX comes with an FWD drivetrain whereas for an additional $2,000 you can get the optional Super-Handling AWD system. And we recommend that you get the AWD version.

The standard engine that is present under the hood of the 2014 MDX is a 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 290 hp and 267 lb-ft torque. The engine sends power to the front wheels as standard with the help of a 6-speed automatic transmission which does the job well. Acura's signature super-handling all-wheel-drive system is available, which improves the car's driving dynamics and helps provide a better grip on wet road surfaces. 

The shiftable 6-speed automatic transmission works just like a manual once you put it in the ‘S’ mode; it sharpens the throttle response and allows you to take the revs to the redline without changing gears, and also drops the rev as low to make the engine lug at times. Overall, the performance of the engine is punchy and it offers enough power The vehicle accelerates to 60 MPH from a standstill in 6.5 seconds.

In comparison, the Lincoln while has more power and torque than the MDX, still fails to match the acceleration. It is slower to 60 MPH by just 0.1 seconds but is quite slow to cross the quarter-mile mark when compared with the MDX, which is the fastest SUV among the listed rivals. Buick Enclave is at least $3000 less than the rivals in its base avatar and offers the most power to money ratio.

Acura uses its Earth-Dream technology with the new V6 powerplant. Basically what this does is provide more power to the engine, while improving the fuel economy, and this improvement is clearly visible in the MPG figures put up by EPA. The figures suggest that the standard FWD system will return 20/28/23 MPG for city/highway/combined cycles respectively, while the figures dip slightly when you opt for the AWD system and stand at 18/27/21 for the same cycles. You get a 19.5-gallon fuel tank which puts the maximum driving range of the 2014 MDX at 546 miles on the highway.

The 2014 MDX is the most fuel-efficient car among all the listed competitors. Although it has an averaged sized fuel tank, better fuel efficiency helps it to provide much more range than the rest of the SUVs. It is followed by the Infiniti QX60 which offers slightly less range over the highway in comparison to the MDX.

On the inside, the 2014 MDX is way better than many other three-row crossover SUVs of the day. It is slightly roomier in the second, and the third row which is a good thing as most other rivals in the segment fails to provide comfort at the rear. The front seats are plush and offer good comfort, so do the second and third-row seats. Acura also looked after the usual problem of accessing the third row and provided a button beside the second-row outboard seats which allowed the seats to move back and forth about six inches. It also performs a neat fold which allows for better and hassle-free access to the third-row seats.

Acura MDX seats 7 people and speaking of comfort features, it is fully loaded even in its base avatar. As standard, you get a sunroof, heated eight-way power front seats with driver power lumbar support, driver memory settings, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and leather upholstery. The available packages add-on to the infotainment system mostly while opting for the Advance and Entertainment package adds upgraded leather upholstery and eight-way power front passenger seat with power lumbar support to the features list.

The Lincoln MKT offers better space than the Acura in the second and third row. Next up is the Buick Enclave which also has a big trunk at 23.3 cu ft and offers better second and third-row seating. Acura standing dead last in terms of interior and cargo space.

Standout interior features:

• Heated 8-way power front seats with driver power lumbar support
• Driver memory settings
• Power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
• Leather upholstery
• Tri-zone automatic climate control

How intuitive is the 2014 Acura MDX’s infotainment unit?

The infotainment functions inside the MDX are handled by a 7-inch touchscreen housed below an 8-inch screen used for navigation purposes. The graphics in both the screens are not what one is used to seeing in other SUVs of this price range and class, but they perform their duties well. The user interface would take a while to get used to, and not only does it handle all the infotainment functions. 

For your music needs, you get an eight-speaker sound system with a CD player and an iPod/USB interface as standard. The Technology package adds a 10-speaker Acura/ELS surround-sound audio system with HD radio while the Entertainment package adds a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with a 9-inch screen and an additional speaker for the surround-sound audio system.

Standout infotainment features:

• Twin console displays (7-inch touchscreen and 8-inch information)
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Satellite radio
• Smartphone integration
• 10-speaker Acura/ELS surround-sound audio system
• Navigation system

The looks of the MDX have always been well balanced and with 2014 MY Acura kept up with the tradition. The new car gets a more sleek design; it looks more like a sports wagon, rather than an SUV. It also gets a more curvaceous design and smoother lines all around giving it more aerodynamics. 

Upfront you get the Jewel-eye LED headlamps on both sides of a decent-looking air dam design. At the rear, the design elements remain pretty basic with ‘Lined LED taillights and an integrated tailpipe completing the overall elegant look of the MDX. As standard, you get 18-inch wheels but opting for the Tech package gets you 19-inch alloy wheels.

Acura has the lowest ground clearance. While this hampers the off-roading capabilities of the SUV, it helps to make it more fuel-efficient. The smaller size and lightweight also give it a more comfortable ride and better maneuverability. Buick Enclave and Lincoln MKT are the largest of the lot and this translates to better interior and cargo space.

Standout exterior features:

• 18-inch wheels
• Automatic LED headlamps
• Heated mirrors
• Power liftgate
• Sunroof
• Rear privacy glass

Thanks to the redesign, the MDX gets an entirely new structure for 2014, which takes the safety ratings up a notch from the already perfect ratings it had. IIHS gives the 2014 MDX their most respectable title of ‘Top Safety Pick+’ for the segment. NHTSA also gives full five stars to the MDX in their overall safety rating. It comes with a host of standard safety features like seven airbags, including a drivers knee airbag, traction control stability control, ABS, and a wide view camera system

Available safety features that come bundled up in the different packages include:

• Lane Departure warning
• Blind-spot monitor
• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward collision warning 

In the luxury crossover SUV segment, the Acura manages to bring you a good-looking, practical, and comfortable three-row SUV- 2014 MDX. It might not be the one you would often take to the countryside trails, but one which you would happily drive around town and across the states in comfort. 2014 Acura MDX comes with a powerful engine, refined interior, and respectable fuel economy making it one of the best choices to own in the segment.