The vehicle in this review was loaned by Acura through DriveSTI in exchange for my honest opinion. Read my Disclosure Policy.
As if an the look of a 2014 Acura MDX isn't enough, here are 10 more reasons you should love it!
1. It keeps you in check with a Lane Keeping Assist System.
Whether you're tired, distracted, or having a difficult time on a windy road, the 2014 Acura MDX keeps you in check when you start to cross the line into the other lane, or onto the shoulder. The subtle yet attention-getting "beep beep beep" is a gentle and necessary reminder. And you have to admit, a lot of people out there are constantly swerving back and forth when they are driving, so regardless of what you are distracted with, this is a HUGE safety feature that can keep you out of accident and out of trouble.
2. Touch it, Turn it, Talk to it - Your choice!
The On-Demand Multi-Use Display/Touch Screen not only has different options when it comes to the way you use it, but it also offers a central location to adjust some of the settings in your vehicle. Whether you want to engage the driver side seat memory, or turn off an alert, you can easily navigate through the menu by touching the screen OR by turning the dial.
3. It's Pet/Kid/Passenger/Luggage Friendly.
Not only does it come with the option to keep the 3rd row of seats up, but the 2nd row actually has heated seats so your passengers will be happy. If you have a dog (a large one at that), fold the 3rd row down and there's plenty of room for a dog or two as well as plenty of viewing space for the driver, plus you have an alert in case you try to switch lanes and can't see your blind spot!! For kids, It has a LATCH system for child seats and the DVD player in the back to keep everyone quiet and entertained. And there's plenty of storage space for shopping bags and suitcases, whether you want them in the trunk or just in the second row on the floor if you're driving alone.
4. VTEC, duh.
Like I said the other day, I love the power behind this vehicle. I never feel like I'm flooring it, it's easier to drive the speed limit because it's easy to manage the speed of the 2014 MDX since it accelerates when you ask it too and it slows down when you want it too. I know, that's very basic... but trust me, from a Honda girl whose driven lots of other vehicles, this SUV makes me proud to drive anything with a Honda or Acura badge!!!
5. It's easy to park, even for a city gal!
I live in the suburbs but work in the city so there are plenty of times already that I've had to parallel park it or fit into narrow little parking spots. The parking sensors tell you if your too close to something in front, or in back as well as making it convenient with a backup camera and multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines. Even backing out of a parking spot is less stressful because of the backup camera. And surprisingly, this SUV fits in spots that I've seen other SUVs sloppily stick out of!
6. You are the pilot!
Not only can you set your driver side seat memory settings up so it's always ready for you, but you can actually activate the Acura Navigation System with your voice. Incredible, huh? Beyond that, You have 10 way power seating and bluetooth capabilities for safety. Plus, you can even set up an SMS Text Message Function for handsfree. And you can always rest assured that your auto dimming heated power door mirrors will cater to your needs especially early in the morning when everything's covered in frost.
7. Travel around for Shopping/Food/Fun/Business with Ease.
If you're like me, I have to travel for events and to go shopping for important pieces to my wardrobe, so it's nice to have the Real-Time Traffic with street and Freeway Conditions at my fingertips. Plus travel will be more enjoyable when you listen to your favorite tunes on the 12 speaker Audio System. I love love love music and it's the only reason I don't complain about a long commute, a traffic jam, etc. It sounds great to me even when I don't have the volume up very loud so I'm a very happy camper. I feel like I'm sitting in a living room when I sit in a traffic jam!
8. It Gives You A Heads Up
The Collision Mitigation Braking System in the 2014 Acura MDX gives you a heads up warning to reduce the possibility of a frontal collision. Didn't realize traffic is coming to a complete halt? We've ALL been there, and now you'll have peace of mind knowing that you have an extra set of eyes in the rare occassions that YOU aren't alert... it can beep an alert you, then can apply braking if you still aren't paying attention and it'll tighten your seatbelt. And if an impact is inevitable, it helps reduce the severity of it by applying firmer braking and retract the front seatbelts to mitigate the forces of a collision.
9. It's Gorgeous!!
Seriously, the sleek exterior, the rugged driving capabilities the luxurious interior.... you can easily be on your high horse when you arrive anywhere. I can't even go to the grocery store without feeling like I'm some big shot! Step in and out in style even on a bad hair day. Plus, you'll be in such a good mood from driving such an amazing vehicle, it'll radiate off of you anyways!!
10. Yep, good gas mileage (you knew it was coming).
It may be an SUV but it's still a Honda under the hood and while it will never get the gas mileage of my Civic, it certainly saves my bank account.
And come back next week when I give you the dirty details of how well this beauty drives!!!!
The vehicle in this review was loaned by Acura through DriveSTI in exchange for my honest opinion. Read my Disclosure Policy.
I am super stoked to introduce to you the 2014 Acura MDX. I am already a HUGE fan of anything Honda or Acura so it's not a big surprise that I was literally staring at this vehicle in awe when it arrived. Favor aside, I dropped my preconceived notions on how the MDX would be, in order to see how it REALLY is... and I am already impressed!!!
Exterior
A sleek and sporty design, the one thing I noticed is that the 2014 MDX is the PERFECT size. It's not too big to fit into a narrow parking garage, yet it sits high enough to give me an advantage when it comes to seeing what's ahead in a line of traffic. The shiny 19" alloy wheels give this Forest Mist Silver SUV a polished look.
The jewel eye LED headlights are great in fog, rainy weather, and at night.
Just looking at it for one quick second, it looks like a bullet, ready to cut through the wind as it travels down the road. I love the modern style of the headlights and taillights. And the roof rails give this more capabilities for an exciting lifestyle, as well as giving the 2014 MDX an impressive luxurious look.
Interior
The first thing I noticed about the interior was the amazing setup of the center console and dash. Not only is there plentiful storage, but it's very spacious without being overwhelming.
Two generously sized cupholders sit flat and out of the way of the "knock your drink over" zone. The center console compartment slides open and is very very deep, with a USB connector inside, which is perfect to put your phone in so the distraction is out of the way while it charges!
The sport seats come with perforated premium leather trim and ventilated front seats. There's a 2nd row and then a 2 seat 3rd row. Oh, and 2nd row seats are heated. Your passengers will love that!
And there is plenty of capabilities for quiet in this SUV, as it comes with a 16.2" DVD Rear Entertainment System AND wireless headsets! So whether it's adults, or the kids, any long distance travel will be much more enjoyable with that amazing feature.
Technology
The 2014 Acura MDX comes with an Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition as well as AcuraLink Communication and real-time traffic and street conditions. For music, you get an Acura ELS Studio Premium Audio System complete with 12 speakers. Yes...12!!! There's also LED Puddle lights, rain sensing wipers, and Blind Spot information which can all be adjusted and controlled through the amazing menu with a turn dial control as well as being a touch screen.
The dash and steering wheel are AMAZING and can do pretty much anything! Not only does it have a remote engine start feature but the 2014 Acura MDX is AWD and has MacPhearson Strut Front Suspension with Rear Mult-link Suspension. There's also an Integrated Dymanics System. Of course you can check the tire pressure with the monitoring system and when backing up, utilize the multi-angle rearview camera. The Adaptive Cruise Control will become your best friend and i teven has Low Speed Follow as well as parking sensors. So no matter what you do, the 2014 Acura MDX is like having a second set of eyes!
Back to the menu of what features you can control, well, there's the climate control, interior lighting, and radio of course.
I am super impressed with the fact that the 2014 Acura MDX lets you know when you start to cross a line on their side of your lane while driving. Of course you can turn these features off in the menu if you wish, but really, why would you!?
And the DVD player and screen...well I'll go more in depth on that later.
Space/Storage
Space? Hah, there's plenty of it! Not only am I impressed by the convenient amount of leg room for passengers, but I love the open layout and feel of this vehicle inside.
The front has power seat adjustments and the driver has 10-way power as well as a Driver recognition memory system. It's so easy to see what's going on around you both inside and out. The sunroof lets in a nice amount of natural light,and the tinted windows are large enough that you can see your surroundings when backing up or trying to line up in a narrow parking spot.
As for what's under the hood, the 2014 Acura MDX comes with a 290 hp 3.5L SOHC 24-Valv Direct Injection VTEC engine with variable cylinder management. It has a 6 speed automatic transmission with sequential SportShift. Let me tell you, this is the FIRST SUV I've driven that when you push the gas, there is power. I no longer feel like I'm flooring it simply to accelerate to just 45mph. I am VERY impressed, of course it's no shock, because that's what you get from a HONDA motor!!!
And safety... well here's what the 2014 Acura MDX has:
- Drivers and Front Passenger's Dual Stage Airbags
- Drivers and front passengers side airbags with SmartVent
- Side curtain airbags with rollover sensors
- Driver's knee airbags
- Agile Handling Assist Dynamic Braking System
- Anti-Lock Brakes
- Vehicle Stability Assistance
- Electronic Brake Distribution
I've never been so impressed with an SUV, especially the fact that it gets an average of 21 MPG, with 18 in the city, and 27 on the highway. I'm a stickler with that and I am impressed so you can take my word for it that you will fall in love with the 2014 Acura MDX. And later this week, I'll give you 10 reasons to love it even if you already think you love it!!! And next week, I'll give you the low down dirty details on how this baby drove!
Thank you Honda and Acura for making me proud to call you my favorite manufacturer of vehicles!
The 2014 Acura MDX I am featuring has the Advance Entertainment package so everything you read in my write ups is part of that, and may not be available without the Advance package. The MSRP on this vehicle is $56,505 which includes a 6 year 70k mile Powertrain Warranty, a 4 year 50k mile Limited Vehicle Warrant, and a fuel tank of fuel!
Plus whether it's kids or dogs in the back...you can put the sun shades up and it makes for a darker, more peaceful back seat ride.
