Acura MDX 2005 $14,995

Vehicle Overview Acura introduced its MDX as a 2001 model. Before long, the midsize sport utility vehicle from Honda's luxury division began to tally impressive sales totals. Shoppers even faced waiting lists for the car-based seven-passenger MDX, which is loaded with luxury features. The MDX is built on the platform used for the previous-generation Honda Odyssey minivan and is manufactured in Ontario, Canada. It competes against such rivals as the BMW X5, Lexus RX 330 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class. XM Satellite Radio is standard for 2005, and all models equipped with Acura's navigation system get General Motors' OnStar communication system. The navigation system was enhanced to include additional voice commands. The Touring Package now features HandsFreeLink phone operation, which allows a compatible mobile phone to be used as a hands-free car phone. The fuel tank has increased, and Acura's Vehicle Stability Assist electronic stability system has been enhanced. Exterior Styled in California, the MDX features sloping rear roof pillars like those on the RX 330. According to Acura, its SUV strikes a balance between muscularity and elegance, starting with a sharply chiseled front fascia and a wide stance. Bold creases highlight the hood and bodysides, and the grille is similar to the one used on Acura's sedans. The MDX has 17-inch alloy wheels and is equipped with a four-wheel-independent suspension. Riding a 106.3-inch wheelbase, the MDX measures 188.7 inches long overall and stands 68.7 inches tall. Interior Seven people occupy three rows of seats in the MDX, which has two front buckets, a three-place split middle bench and a two-place split rear seat. The center and rear seats fold flat into the floor to create additional cargo space. Cargo volume measures 81.5 cubic feet when the second- and third-row seats are folded flat. Standard features include leather upholstery, remote keyless entry, a power moonroof and a seven-speaker cassette/CD stereo system. Under the Hood A 265-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 teams with a five-speed-automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard. Safety Dual-stage front airbags, side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain-type airbags for all three rows of seats are standard. All-disc antilock brakes are installed. Driving Impressions Acceleration in the MDX is energetic, though a tad sluggish at first. It handles with somewhat of a tight feel and comes across more like a performance model than a relaxed highway cruiser to keep the vehicle on course, and the MDX grips the pavement tenaciously in curves. Because the suspension is quite firm, the ride is close to luxurious on smooth pavement but is less refined when the surface becomes even moderately rough. The seats are exceptionally supportive, and occupants have plenty of space. Other than a hearty roar during acceleration, the MDX operates quietly.

• City 17/hwy 23 (3.5L engine/5-speed auto trans)
• Galvanized body panels
• Roof rack
• Pwr moonroof w/tilt feature & sliding sunshade
• Front & rear splash guards
• Front fog lights
• Auto on/off headlamp feature
• Heated pwr mirrors w/passenger side reverse-tilt feature/memory feature
• Rear privacy glass
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Intermittent rear window wiper w/washer
• Leather-trimmed 8-way pwr heated front seats w/drivers pwr lumbar support & 2-position memory
• Leather-trimmed 2nd row 60/40 split flat-folding seats
• 3rd row 50/50 split flat-folding seats
• Adjustable head restraints at all seating positions
• Front center console w/adjustable leather-trimmed armrest
• Carpeted floor mats
• Perforated leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel w/audio & cruise controls
• Trip computer
• Dual trip meters
• Outside temp gauge
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Pwr door locks
• Pwr windows w/auto-up & reverse driver side window
• Cruise control
• HomeLink universal remote system
• Remote keyless entry w/memory/panic alarm feature
• Remote fuel filler door release
• Theft deterrent system
• Electronic immobilizer system
• HandsFreeLink wireless telephone interface
• Dual front/rear synchronized automatic climate control system
• Rear window defogger w/timer
• XM satellite radio
• Acura/Bose AM/FM stereo w/cassette & 6-disc in-dash CD changer
• Acura DVD entertainment system
• Roof-mounted flexible antenna
• Brushed metal-look instrument panel trim
• (3) auxiliary pwr outlets
• (8) cup holders
• (2) bottle holders in rear doors
• Wood-patterned interior trim
• Leather-trimmed door inserts
• Door storage compartments
• Auto-dim day/night rearview mirror
• Illuminated driver & front passenger vanity mirrors
• Overhead map lights/sunglass storage compartment
• Driver & front passenger footwell lights
• Perforated leather-wrapped shift knob
• Driver & front passenger seatback pockets
• Rear under-floor storage compartment
• 3.5L PGM-FI SOHC 24-valve VTEC V6 engine
• Direct ignition system w/knock control
• Drive-by-wire throttle system
• 105000-mile tune-up interval
• 5-speed automatic transmission w/OD & grade logic control
• Four-wheel drive
• Fully-automatic variable torque management (VTM-4) 4-wheel drive system
• 12-volt maintenance-free battery
• 130-amp alternator
• 4-wheel fully-independent suspension w/front & rear stabilizer bars
• P235/65R17 all-season tires
• 17 x 6.5 cast aluminum alloy wheels
• Variable pwr rack & pinion steering
• Vehicle stability assist (VSA)
• Ventilated front/solid rear disc brakes
• Electronic brake distribution (EBD)
• 4-channel 4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS)
• 19.2 gallon fuel tank
• Front dual-stage dual-threshold airbag supplemental restraint system (SRS)
• Driver & front passenger side-impact airbags w/passenger occupant size & position sensors
• Side curtain airbags for all rows
• 3-point seatbelts at all seating positions
• Driver & front passenger seatbelt pretensioners w/load-limiters
• Child-proof rear door locks
• 2nd & 3rd row child seat tether anchors
• Side-impact door beams