ACURA MDX


The 'Acura MDX' ('Honda MDX' in Japan and Australia) is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automaker Acura since the 2001 model year. The MDX is the first crossover SUV to have third-row seating. It is built by Honda of Canada Manufacturing Ltd. in Alliston, Ontario, Canada. It was introduced in late 2000 as a 2001 model, replacing the slow-selling US-only SLX, based on the Isuzu Trooper. In Japan, it filled a gap when the Honda Horizon (also based on the Trooper) was discontinued in 1999. In 2003, the MDX went on sale in Japan. It competes with the Lexus RX, Infiniti FX, BMW X5 (released at the same time as the MDX), Volvo XC90 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class.

Contents
2001-2006
2007
Safety
Awards
Sales
Monthly U.S. Sales
Monthly Canada Sales
External links
References

2001-2006


Derived from Honda's Global mid-size platform which underpins cars like the Honda Accord, Acura TL, Acura TSX and Honda Odyssey, it is powered by a ''J35A3'' 3.5 L SOHC 24 valve V6 with VTEC. 2001-2003 3.5 V6's models produce 240 horsepower and 245 pounds-feet of torque from 3000 to 5000 rpm. 2004-2006 3471 cc (3.5 in x 3.6 in) model engine produces 265 hp (198 kW) and 253 ft·lbf (343 Nm). Curb weight is 4451 lb (2019 kg), with a 106.3 in (2.7 m) wheelbase and 8 in (203 mm) of ground clearance. The cargo floor can flip up to provide two additional seats. The vehicle is designed to hold 7 passengers, but the third row seats are small. The vehicle features an automatic four wheel drive system that engages only when wheel slippage is detected. The system runs as front wheel drive during normal operation.
All models use a 5-speed automatic transmission. In some models, the transmission suffered significant numbers of transmission problems that were similar to the problems with the Acura CL and TL. However, they did not get the benefit of the free extended warranty that the Acura CL and TL received.
The navigation system and DVD entertainment system options were mutually exclusive in the 2002 model. Both could be ordered at the same time since the 2003 model. The navigation option comes with a rear view video camera since the 2003 model. Since 2005 the navigation system featured information from Zagat about restaurants and other points of interest. The 2003 model was rated as Ultra Low Emission Vehicle. EPA estimates 23 mpg (10.23 L/100 km) highway and 17 mpg (13.84 L/100 km) city.
In the 2003 model, the engine was improved to produce 20 hp (15 kW) more power than the 2002 model and wheel designs were updated. The 2004 model received an additional 5 hp (4 kW). The 2004 model features dual tail pipes instead of the single pipe in earlier models, new head lights and tail lights, and new wheels. Some chrome trimmings on the 2004 model use matte finish to distinguish from the polished shiny finish on earlier models. Little changed for the MDX during the 2006 model year with a few minor revisions to the vehicle's chrome and faux wood interior trim.

2007


On April 11, 2006 during the New York International Auto Show, Acura unveiled the 2007 Acura MD-X Concept, showing to the public an indication about the exterior styling of the upcoming completely redesigned MDX due in October of 2006. The 2007 Acura MDX's body has a wider track and a longer wheelbase than the previous MDX. However, the third row seats still remain small for adults. The redesigned Acura MDX's unit-body is engineered with Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure which is designed to absorb energy from a collision. Its suspension is tuned at Germany's Nürburgring race track. Its engine is all-new and the most powerful in Acura's lineup. It is a 3.7 liter V6 tuned for 300 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. Premium fuel is recommended. The latest EPA mileage estimates are 15 city, 17 highway. EPA annual greenhouse gas estimate is 10.8 tons on a scale of 3.5 to 16.2. When coupled with the Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system, the MDX provides class-leading powertrain and handling performance among its current V6 competitors. Also, the 2007 Acura MDX will be equipped with High Intensity Discharge (Xenon) lowbeam headlights.
Three package options are available: Sport, Tech and Entertainment. The Sport package features active suspension dampers (co-developed by Honda and Delphi) that dynamically improves handling according to road conditions with a button in the center stack to switch to Sport/Comfort modes. This Comfort/Sport mode uses "magneto-rheological" fluid which changes its viscosity when a magnetic field is introduced (usually in milliseconds). The Sport package also includes unique 5-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels and the items in the Tech package. The Tech package includes the Acura/Alpine DVD-based satellite GPS navigation system with AcuraLink satellite communications with real-time traffic reporting (XM NavTraffic), a 410-watt Acura/ELS DTS Surround audio system with XM Satellite Radio and rearview camera. The Entertainment package offers a flip-down 9-inch LCD screen with 2 wireless Dolby Digital headphones and a remote powered liftgate, operated either from the key's remote, inside the car or directly from the lift gate.
All Canadian Acura MDX models, aside from the heated front seats, also get the second-row heated outboard seats as standard equipment as well. A feature unique to Canadian MDX models are two headlight washers, one located below each headlight. In terms of packages, Canadian MDX models get only two: Technology and Elite. The Technology package corresponds essentially to the US model's Technology package while the Elite package is an amalgamation of the US model's Sport and Entertainment packages together. Unfortunately, AcuraLink real-time traffic reporting through XM NavTraffic is unavailable for Canadian MDX models.
This 2nd generation Acura MDX will continue to be manufactured by Honda of Canada Manufacturing Ltd. in Alliston, Ontario, Canada. Furthermore, the 2007 Acura MDX, along with the 2007 Acura RDX, will be among the first Acura vehicles to pass the Acura Quality Line, a special quality control and verification process separate from the other Honda vehicles. The second-generation MDX was released on October 17, 2006.
The redesigned MDX overtook the TL as Acura's top seller in the United States. [1]
Since the platform created for the 2007 Acura MDX is all-new, most likely the next Honda Pilot, due in the 2009 model year will be based off the same platform.

Safety


The MDX is ahead of the competition with regards to its construction in rear collisions: It will withstand a rear collision up to 50 miles an hour, well above the basic 35 mph standard currently required by the NHTSA. However, rear-window visibility is worse than in previous models.

Awards


The MDX won the ''North American Truck of the Year'' award for 2001.

The MDX was also ''Car and Driver'' magazine's Best Luxury SUV

''Motor Trend'' magazine's Sport/Utility of the Year that year [1].

The MDX also won the Top Safety Pick award for the 2007 model year.

Sales


Monthly U.S. Sales

' Jun 2007 '' May 2007 '' Apr 2007 '' Mar 2007 '' Feb 2007 '' Jan 2007 '' Dec 2006 '' Nov 2006 '' Oct 2006 '' Sep 2006 '' Aug 2006 '' Jul 2006 '
4,6394,6234,4974,7854,3304,1536,2276,0864,4294,0024,2934,804
' Jun 2006 '' May 2006 '' Apr 2006 '' Mar 2006 '' Feb 2006 '' Jan 2006 '' Dec 2005 '' Nov 2005 '' Oct 2005 '' Sep 2005 '' Aug 2005 '' Jul 2005 '
3,4944,4144,6824,3103,8415,5223,6484,3314,2715,3795,499
' Jun 2005 '' May 2005 '' Apr 2005 '' Mar 2005 '' Feb 2005 '' Jan 2005 '' Dec 2004 '' Nov 2004 '' Oct 2004 '' Sep 2004 '' Aug 2004 '' Jul 2004 '
5,7974,7605,0735,0134,6983,9576,2385,1245,2334,9584,8234,767
' Jun 2004 '' May 2004 '' Apr 2004 '' Mar 2004 '' Feb 2004 '' Jan 2004 '' Dec 2003 '' Nov 2003 '' Oct 2003 '' Sep 2003 '' Aug 2003 '' Jul 2003 '
4,3954,9094,7705,1944,9294,1655,7884,9404,9364,5894,964
' Jun 2003 '' May 2003 '' Apr 2003 '' Mar 2003 '' Feb 2003 '' Jan 2003 '' Dec 2002 '' Nov 2002 '' Oct 2002 '' Sep 2002 '' Aug 2002 '' Jul 2002 '
5,0434,625
' Jun 2002 '' May 2002 '' Apr 2002 '' Mar 2002 '' Feb 2002 '' Jan 2002 '' Dec 2001 '' Nov 2001 '' Oct 2001 '' Sep 2001 '' Aug 2001 '' Jul 2001 '
4,7205,6333,4865,0834,3653,4232,404
' Jun 2001 '' May 2001 '' Apr 2001 '' Mar 2001 '' Feb 2001 '' Jan 2001 '' Dec 2000 '' Nov 2000 '' Oct 2000 '' Sep 2000 '' Aug 2000 '' Jul 2000 '
N/A

Monthly Canada Sales

' Jun 2007 '' May 2007 '' Apr 2007 '' Mar 2007 '' Feb 2007 '' Jan 2007 '' Dec 2006 '' Nov 2006 '' Oct 2006 '' Sep 2006 '' Aug 2006 '' Jul 2006 '
469533407
' Jun 2006 '' May 2006 '' Apr 2006 '' Mar 2006 '' Feb 2006 '' Jan 2006 '' Dec 2005 '' Nov 2005 '' Oct 2005 '' Sep 2005 '' Aug 2005 '' Jul 2005 '
301250364
' Jun 2005 '' May 2005 '' Apr 2005 '' Mar 2005 '' Feb 2005 '' Jan 2005 '' Dec 2004 '' Nov 2004 '' Oct 2004 '' Sep 2004 '' Aug 2004 '' Jul 2004 '
' Jun 2004 '' May 2004 '' Apr 2004 '' Mar 2004 '' Feb 2004 '' Jan 2004 '' Dec 2003 '' Nov 2003 '' Oct 2003 '' Sep 2003 '' Aug 2003 '' Jul 2003 '
' Jun 2003 '' May 2003 '' Apr 2003 '' Mar 2003 '' Feb 2003 '' Jan 2003 '' Dec 2002 '' Nov 2002 '' Oct 2002 '' Sep 2002 '' Aug 2002 '' Jul 2002 '
' Jun 2002 '' May 2002 '' Apr 2002 '' Mar 2002 '' Feb 2002 '' Jan 2002 '' Dec 2001 '' Nov 2001 '' Oct 2001 '' Sep 2001 '' Aug 2001 '' Jul 2001 '
' Jun 2001 '' May 2001 '' Apr 2001 '' Mar 2001 '' Feb 2001 '' Jan 2001 '' Dec 2000 '' Nov 2000 '' Oct 2000 '' Sep 2000 '' Aug 2000 '' Jul 2000 '
468N/A

External links



★ MDX Official Site

★ Acura USA

★ Acura Canada

★ 2007 Acura MDX Problem

References


1. American Honda Reports Best-Ever January Sales


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