Acura MDX 2008 $29,995

Vehicle Overview The seven-seat MDX enjoyed a complete redesign for 2007, adding more horsepower, a 5,000-pound tow rating and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, so changes for 2008 are few. There's a new paint color called Sterling Gray Metallic, and the automatic-dimming rearview mirror is now standard. Acura also offers its navigation system in Hawaii now, and has extended its real-time traffic feature to almost twice as many metropolitan areas as before, for a total of 76. The MDX is a single trim level, leaving Technology and Sport option packages to distinguish one version from another. The MDX a long-standing Cars.com Best Bet competes against such rivals as the BMW X5, Cadillac SRX, Lexus RX 350 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class. It's top-rated in crash tests and has a history of above-average reliability. Exterior With the 2007 redesign, Acura went for a more integrated look in the MDX's rear quarters. No longer does the rear glass area look tacked on. Instead, conventional A-, B- and C-pillars are in place, and the overall look is more similar to BMW's SUVs than to Lexus models. The grille is pronounced, with two planes of metal framing the Acura symbol. Side views show a pronounced, fender-like arch over the wheel wells. At the rear, there is an integrated bumper and a smooth, chiseled appearance. The MDX comes with 18-inch wheels and high-intensity-discharge low-beam headlights. A Sport Package adds auto-leveling xenon headlights and a different wheel design. Nineteen-inch wheels and running boards may be available from your dealer. Interior The MDX carries seven people in standard leather seats and has a 10-way power driver's seat that can remember settings for two drivers. Front passengers get eight-way adjustment. Both seats are heated. There's also standard automatic three-zone climate control and a cargo space that can be configured six ways depending on how the seats are folded. An optional Entertainment Package includes a rear DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones and remote, a 110-volt power outlet in the center console, heated outboard seats in the second row and a remote-operated power tailgate. The Technology Package includes Acura's voice-recognition navigation system and real-time traffic information and solar-sensing automatic climate control system. The Sport Package adds upgraded leather seating surfaces and metallic accents to various trim pieces. Under the Hood The MDX's 3.7-liter V-6 turns out 300 horsepower and 275 pounds-feet of torque, the most powerful engine Acura makes. It's mated to a five-speed automatic with sequential manual shifting. Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system is standard. The Sport Package adds an active-damping suspension that varies shock-absorber firmness to smooth the ride and control body lean. Safety The MDX boasts a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, having received top scores in frontal-, side- and rear-impact crash tests. Dual-stage front airbags, side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor for all three rows of seats are standard. Both front occupants get knee airbags and active head restraints. All-disc antilock brakes are standard, as is an electronic stability system with traction control. Driving Impressions I drove the new MDX on a track as well as the road, and it's truly outstanding, able to handle sharp cornering effortlessly, especially when equipped with the optional Sport Package. Much of the new athleticism comes courtesy of the standard Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, which can send more power to the rear wheels than the front and can drive the outside rear wheel faster than the inside wheel when in a turn. The Active Damper System's Comfort button on the center console makes a relatively small difference in the ride quality, but it does a good job overall in maximizing ride and handling. Overall, the M

• City 15/hwy 20 (3.7L engine/5-speed auto trans)
• Pwr moonroof w/tilt auto-open/close auto-reverse key-off operation
• Body-colored tailgate spoiler
• Xenon high intensity discharge auto on/off headlights
• Fog lights
• Daytime running lights
• LED tail lights
• Heated pwr mirrors w/reverse gear tilt-down integrated LED directional signals
• Rear privacy glass
• Speed sensing variable intermittent windshield wipers
• Intermittent rear window wiper
• Pwr tail gate
• 8-way pwr front heated sport bucket seats w/driver pwr lumbar support
• Premium Milano leather trimmed interior
• Active front headrests
• 2nd row reclining 60/40 split folding seats w/fold-down armrest
• 3rd row 50/50 split folding seats
• Front center console w/dual access armrest
• Front passenger lower center console compartment
• Carpeted front/rear floor mats
• Aluminum threshold garnish
• Leather-wrapped pwr tilt & telescoping steering wheel
• Steering wheel mounted controls
• Theft-deterrent system w/electronic immobilizer
• LED backlit gauges w/progressive illumination
• Trip computer
• Tire pressure monitoring system w/location & pressure indicators
• Exterior temp indicator
• Maintenance minder system
• Navigation system w/rearview camera Zagat Survey ratings interface dial
• AcuraLink satellite communication system w/real-time traffic
• Pwr windows w/driver & front passenger auto-up/down auto-reverse key-off operation
• Remote & driver door lock windows-open function
• Pwr door locks
• Remote entry system w/personalized settings for driver's seat steering column outside mirrors climate control select audio settings
• HomeLink remote system
• Bluetooth HandsFreeLink wireless telephone interface w/phonebook exchange
• XM satellite radio *Only available in the 48 contiguous United States Free for first 90 days*
• AM/FM stereo w/6-disc in-dash CD changer/MP3/WMA
• Auxiliary input jack
• Rear spoiler integrated radio antenna
• GPS-linked solar sensing tri-zone front/rear synchronized automatic climate control system w/humidity control air filtration
• Rear window defroster w/timer
• Simulated Koa wood grained trim
• (3) 12 volt pwr outlets
• (10) cup holders
• Front/rear door storage compartments
• Auto dimming rearview mirror
• Illuminated driver & front passenger vanity mirrors
• Front & rear map lights ambient cabin lighting front footwell lighting door mounted courtesy lights
• Illuminated ignition pwr window/door lock switches steering wheel controls overhead controls
• Leather-wrapped shift knob
• Front carpeted floor mats
• Remote entry system w/personalized settings for driver's seat steering column outside mirrors climate control select audio settings alarm
• Security alarm
• Carpeted floor mats
• 3.7L PGM-FI SOHC 24-valve VTEC V6 engine
• Drive-by-wire throttle system
• 5-speed automatic transmission w/Sequential SportShift paddle shifters & grade logic control
• Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) w/traction control
• Super handling all-wheel drive (SH-AWD)
• Trailer stability assist
• Independent MacPherson strut front suspension
• Independent multilink rear suspension
• Front & rear stabilizer bars
• P255/55HR18 all-season tires
• 18 x 8 alloy wheels
• Compact spare
• Torque-sensing variable pwr rack & pinion steering
• Front/rear disc brakes
• 4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) w/electronic brake distribution (EBD) brake assist
• Integrated dual outlet exhaust
• 5-speed automatic transmission w/OD Sequential SportShift paddle shifters grade logic control
• Dual-stage dual-threshold front airbags
• Front side-impact airbags w/passenger side occupant position detection
• Front & rear side curtain airbags w/rollover sensor
• 3-point height-adjustable front seatbelts w/pretensioners & load limiters
• 3-point rear seatbelts
• LATCH child seat mounting system (2nd row seats)
• Child seat tether anchors (2nd/3rd row seats)
• Rear child safety door locks
• Side-impact door beams
• Front & rear crumple zones
• Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure