2014 Acura MDX

If you have a tough time understanding Acura's model names, you're not alone, so let's try to position this all-new 2014 Acura MDX luxury crossover utility vehicle (CUV). Acura is Honda's luxury brand, but all of its current model names are three-letter designations ending in X (except for the TL "near-luxury" sport sedan). Three - the mid-size RDX, larger MDX and fastback ZDX - are CUVs, the rest are sedans.

But since none of these model names stands for anything, or makes any sense, they're very difficult to keep straight. For the purposes of this review, here's what you should know: At the top of Acura's model line sits the RLX luxury sedan and this MDX three-row CUV; both all-new and substantially refined for 2014.

Redesigned Crossover Utility Vehicle

This new MDX is Acura's third-generation seven-passenger CUV, the first developed from the ground up on an all-new lighter, stiffer architecture. Its engineers focused on three core values: new levels of comfort and prestige, top-level safety and class-leading fuel efficiency. Two inches longer than the outgoing '13 model on a 2.8-in.-longer wheelbase, the 2014 MDX is also 1.3 in. narrower and 1.5 in. lower, with a 1.8-in. lower rear step-in height. The narrower width reduces frontal area for less wind resistance, the longer wheelbase improves ride and interior room, and the lower step-in makes it easier to get in and out.

 In addition, the lower rear-door entry space is 4.5-in. wider to improve access to the second-row seats, which boast five-position reclining seatbacks and nearly six inches of fore-aft travel to trade off cargo and rear legroom. A new one-button walk-in feature offers easier operation of those middle-row seats from inside or outside, and a larger, deeper console can accommodate a purse, a tablet computer and more.

Powertrain And Chassis

The 2014 Acura MDX is powered by the same 290-horsepower, 3.5L "Earth Dreams Technology" aluminum V-6 engine that motivates the new RLX sedan. Acura's first direct-fuel-injected engine, it also combines for the first time Honda's i-VTEC (intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) valvetrain with two-stage Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), which deactivates the rear bank of cylinders to save fuel under light-load conditions. With front-wheel drive it's EPA rated at 20/28 MPG, while the available Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) offers best-in-class 18/27 ratings for AWD models - substantially better than the previous model with standard AWD.

The 2014 MDX drives the front wheels - or all four with SH-AWD - through a 6-speed Sequential Sport Shift automatic that lets you change gears manually when you want to. Vibration-smoothing Active Control engine mounts and Active Noise Cancellation allow the VCM to operate in three-cylinder mode more often to maximize efficiency. New strut front and multilink rear suspensions contribute to both ride comfort and confident handling, and new Amplitude Reactive Dampers use variable rates to further enhance its dynamics.

The new Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) offers Comfort, Normal and Sport modes. Comfort reduces steering effort, while Sport gives higher effort with a firmer feel. Sport mode also adjusts throttle response, AWD torque proportioning and even the Active Noise Control for a more sporty engine note in the cabin. And new Agile Handling Assist selectively applies light braking to help turn into corners and feel more planted through them. Also standard are 4-channel anti-lock brakes and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA).

Interior And Features

The first thing you'll notice about the 2014 MDX interior is premium soft touch materials throughout its cabin. LED backlit gauges look like high-end watch faces, and LED lamps provide accent lighting on the console and front foot wells. Premium leather covers the first and second-row seats, complimented by a leather-wrapped steering wheel and satin chrome and simulated wood-grain accents.

A Smart Entry Keyless Access System is standard, and the available Technology Package adds Smart Entry access to the rear doors and (manually operated) rear side-window shades. The Advance and Entertainment Packages add heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and remote engine start. Additional standard features include push-button start, Multi-Angle Rearview Camera, and One-Touch turn signals. Rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors and auto-dimming side mirrors are available in option packages.

The range of available driver-assist technologies includes an Expanded-View Driver's Mirror, a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera, Blind Spot Information (BSI), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS) and Lane Keep Assist (LKAS) and Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow. The comprehensive crash safety package includes driver- and front-passenger front and side airbags, three-row side curtain airbags and a new driver's knee airbag.

Audio And Technology

The next-generation AcuraLink system provides enhanced connectivity via Aha mobile delivered through an internet-linked smart-phone. AcuraLink and entertainment systems operate through a new 7-inch color touchscreen with haptic feedback, which reduces the number of hard buttons on the center stack to nine from the previous 41. AcuraLink also includes customizable shortcuts for Places, Phone, Climate and Audio categories. The optional Technology Package adds Acura's latest navigation system with voice recognition and an eight-inch, high-resolution backlit color display. Also available are accident notification, remote unlocking, stolen vehicle tracking and surface street traffic information.

The standard 432-watt, eight-speaker audio has a CD player, AM/FM/SiriusXM radio and a USB connector, plus Pandora internet radio, Bluetooth hands free phone interface and a text message function that can read incoming texts aloud and let you reply with factory preset messages. The Technology Package upgrades to a 501-watt, 10-speaker Acura/ELS Studio system with HD radio and a 16-gigabyte Hard Disk Drive (HDD), the Entertainment Package adds a 529-watt amplifier, a ceiling speaker and a rear DVD system, and the Advance Package ups the ante to 546-watts with 5.1-channel surround sound and two ceiling speakers.

Driving Impressions

We doubt that many Japanese makers develop their CUVs on Germany's famous Nürburgring race track, on high-speed autobahns and in the Austrian Alps - but Acura does. The result is a fairly athletic MDX that holds its own with German competitors. Its quicker new Electric Power Steering (EPS) gives good feel and response; its Sequential Sport Shift automatic has steering wheel paddles for manual gear changes with Normal and Sport modes; its IDS settings do make a noticeable difference.

We found the steering wheel controls intuitive and easy to use, but the interior team may have overkilled its objective to eliminate knobs and buttons. Most of us appreciate a knob for manual radio tuning, for example, and it took us a while to figure out tuning and some other audio functions through the touchscreen system. The only other negatives were insufficient seat travel for long-legged drivers, which made us feel a little cramped, and not all that much cargo room behind the mostly-for-kids third-row seats, compared to some competitors.

On the other hand, the new 2014 Acura MDX is easily the quietest, best-handling and most luxurious MDX ever. It deserves a place on the shopping lists of everyone seeking a luxury CUV.