WASHINGTON — It feels like just yesterday I was driving the 2014 redesigned MDX. So it’s odd that there already would be another round of updates on this popular crossover. The updates are focused on better fuel economy and include a new nine-speed automatic transmission and a feature that shuts down the engine at stops.
The interior has some extra space, with a push-button transmission taking the place of the normal shifter knob. It takes some time to get used to the push button; I usually put it in park or neutral instead of reverse.
I spent time with the $56,000 2016 MDX with the Advance and Tech package. With the Tech package, you get better sport seats with premium leather that are also ventilated and heated. There is plenty of room for passengers in the second row of heated seats, and with the push of a button, the second row tilts and slides for easier access to the third row. Kids will be happy, but there’s not a great deal of space for taller people. The materials used are high-quality and the interior is very polished.
Some more high-tech and safety gear has been added for 2016. The rearview camera now has multiple viewing angles. The rear cross-traffic monitor is helpful for backing out of those hard-to-see spots. There is also a forward collision warning, which will kick the brakes in if you don’t do it, and the usual lane departure warning beeps if you drift. There is also a Lane Keeping Assist system that keeps the car in the lane unless you use a turn signal. (You can turn it off, as it takes a bit of time to get used to.) The new MDX also has adaptive cruise control with low speed follow, so you can set a speed and the crossover keeps a safe distance without much input from the driver. The NAV and sound system are easy to use once you get used to two screens. The climate control was quick to disappear from the screen before I was done setting the temperature.
Driving the MDX is a nice balance between sport and luxury with a quiet cabin. There is a bit of engine growl when you push it. Even with the 19-inch wheels, the ride was never harsh; it soaks up most bumps nicely. It does a good job of driving smaller than the midsize crossover footprint it really has. However, it’s easy to catch the transmission in too high a gear when you want to accelerate, and it takes a second to get the correct gear. This isn’t the first time that’s happened to me in a nine-speed, though, and I think this Acura version does it less often than some of the others. I really enjoyed driving it. In a week, I drove 485 miles averaging 22 mpg — just what the sticker said I should get.
The 2016 Acura MDX is still a popular luxury crossover that should be on the list for buyers. With available AWD, a gutsy 290 hp V6, room for seven and all the luxury and safety options, it makes an all-around luxury crossover that isn’t too expensive when compared to its competitors. It’s still my wife’s favorite of all the vehicles I’ve tested.
Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
