Honda MDX Reviews

At the wheel of the big, big, big seven-seater Honda MDX sports utility behemoth, I feel like lighting up a big, fat cigar as I gun the big V6 engine and guzzle more of the planet's precious natural resources.I am surrounded by plush black leather, forests of walnut trim and an old-style cockpit.It doesn't need to be this way. Honda makes modern and attractive cabins. Just look at the impressive Accord Euro.But perhaps the MDX is directed to an older, more successful professional buyer who would be inclined to buy the comparable BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen or Volvo, more than a tricked-up Ford Territory.And the Honda fits neatly in the middle, price-wise, performance-wise and handling-wise.And now Honda has "up-specced" the MDX to give it an edge in this competitive category.Most important for the long trips with kids is the addition of a rear ceiling-mounted DVD player with two wireless headphones.For safety's sake, there are now SRS curtain airbags for all three rows. A lot of so-called family cars forget about passengers.If it does go all pear-shaped, you can rest assured that this vehicle has a host of secondary safety devices which have earned it a full five stars in the latest US NCAP frontal crash tests.Standard safety features also include Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), and roll-over sensors designed to trigger the side curtain airbags in a roll over.Other new features are automatic headlights, security alarm, rain sensor wipers that actually work and ambient interior light.Under the bonnet there is an extra 4kW that no one will really notice.Outside, there are flash new bumpers and twin exhausts with square finishers and a chrome grille.And you can have it in three new colours: Desert Rock Metallic, Billet Silver Metallic and Steel Blue Metallic. There is also a new ivory interior available with Nighthawk Black and Desert Rock paint.Best news is the price has been kept to $69,990.That places it well under the 3-litre BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz ML350 and on par with the less powerful VW Touareg 3.2-litre and 2.5-litre Volvo XC90.Around town the MDX feels as nimble as the X5.Despite its size, the refined high-revving 3.5-litre Honda power plant hurtles the almost two-tonne mass into holes in the traffic with relative ease.Some of the pot-holed roads around town can make the sophisticated suspension a little nervous, despite the expensive set-up of independent strut front and multilink rear.Yet this doesn't translate to the country road where the bumps are harder. In fact, it tears along slippery slopes and gravel roads quite well.It now comes with a full-size alloy spare wheel, so you don't need to cross your fingers on trips outside the metropolis.

Although 4WDs have come under a lot of scrutiny in recent times for their use around the city and suburbs, the only way to appreciate a vehicle of this class is to get it out on – and off – the open road.As a novice four-wheel driver it took no time at all to familiarise myself with the controls from the comfort of the heated-leather seats.The four-speed automatic transmission was smooth and the ride even smoother as the outside noise was almost completely non-existent with the windows up and the automatic climate control set on a comfortable 22C.And with the windscreen wipers also set on automatic I was assured of complete clear vision in any rain.A rainfall sensor is located in the windscreen behind the rear-view mirror and turns on the wipers, varying their speed in line with the intensity of the rain. It was a real bonus as we struck some heavy falls heading out of Sydney.When the speed limit lifted to 100km/h you could almost hear the Honda purr in anticipation of giving its 3.5-litre V6 engine a workout.As we neared Goulburn the outside temperature dropped to about 9C but we were cocooned in a warm comfort zone courtesy of the automatic climate control system, which can be adjusted on the Honda's dashboard trip computer.Aside from the temperature, the computer also records fuel consumption, the range you can travel on what's in the tank, total distance travelled and the elapsed time the ignition has been on. There's also a digital clock and a compass.It was time to stop and revive at Goulburn and after putting some petrol in our engines in the form of a big breakfast, we were back on the road heading to Cooma.But this time there was another driver behind the wheel – my wife Margaret.Reluctantly I had handed over the keys in a moment of weakness, not knowing what to expect from a driver with no experience in a motor vehicle of this size.But once she worked out the automatic seat adjustment, my wife took to the road like a veteran and I could see from the glee in her eye I would have a hard time wrestling the keys back.By the time we reached Cooma Margaret was completely at ease in the driver's seat. "I didn't feel intimidated driving a four-wheel drive for the first time," she says. "It only took me a couple of kilometres to feel at ease and after that I felt completely comfortable and more than impressed with car's performance and ease of handling."When we picked up our ski gear it was no problem fitting it in the back with our luggage.It was a simple exercise of folding down the back seats and we had more than ample room.I was hoping the mountain road through the Kosciuszko National Park to Guthega was going to be icy so I could try my hand at a bit of four-wheel driving.But the road was open all the way through to the Guthega car park and not even chains for the family sedan were needed.When it came time to leave the snow I was still itching to put the four-wheel-drive switch on and my chance came halfway back down the mountain.I spotted a small trail leading into the scrub and after carefully summing up the situation decided to go for it.The incline was not too steep as the Honda went through a personality change in automatic four-wheel-drive mode and attacked the trail with gusto.With the 4WD adventure over it was time to drop our gear back in Cooma and head for Narooma on the far south coast.This was another adventure as we travelled through some amazing country and the next challenge was the winding decline of Brown Mountain (1241m), which leads from the high country to the beautiful Bega Valley.The Snowy Mountain Highway leading to the mountain was easily driven with speed limits varying between 60km/h, 80km/h and 100km/h. But the mountain was different altogether with some hairpin corners restricting speed to 25km/h. Dropping the Honda's transmission back to D3 allowed for perfect control and the brakes didn't need much pressure to safely negotiate the bends.When we reached the bottom it was an easy drive to Narooma and from then on it was back to cruising on the highway.After a few days in Narooma it was back to the big smoke and when we arrived back in Sydney it didn't seem like we'd been driving for more than five hours.I'm sure I saw the hint of a tear in my wife's eye as we had to put the Honda to bed in its garage.It was truly a first-class holiday in a first-class vehicle.

Particularly as smaller cars and vans seem to be nipping at your heels switching between lanes around you.It is this paradox that makes 4WDs a question mark to drive on busy city streets. For all the safety sensations you still feel like you are in the way, like a truck rather than one of the car brigade.Honda's big 4WD, the seven-seater MDX, is one of the better-looking cars of this size on the market. Likened to a rhinoceros by its designers, it sits squarer on the road than some of its taller SUV compatriots.For 2005 the one-spec MDX has undergone an upgrade but retained the same price of $69,990. The key additions are more equipment and altered styling. It adds SRS curtain airbags to all three rows. The car gains a full-size alloy spare wheel, which should really be mandatory on all large 4WDs. Extra touches include automatic headlights, security alarm and rain sensor wipers. This adds to the standard features which include an electric adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats and a six-stacker CD player.You have to look closely to find the exterior improvements but essentially the redesigned bumper bars, twin exhaust with square finishers and chrome grille give the car a "squarer" look.On the earlier models there were two round exhaust pipes on the right-hand side of the car. Now the pipes have been separated to each side of the car with the square finishers.The MDX's engine has been noted for its power and now a further 4kW has been squeezed out of the 3.5-litre V6, taking it to 195kW at 5800rpm.There's a few new exterior colours and a more serviceable ivory interior colour.Although we did not test the car's off-road capabilities on this test, it boasts as standard Grade Logic, Vehicle Stability Assist and the Variable Torque Management-4 4WD system. Instead this test was around town, where fuel usage, fitting into parking spots and battling traffic are important. The sort of things that most MDX owners will tackle.While there is no doubting the comfort of the ride, the power of the engine and the plush interior, this is still a big car and extra caution must be taken in traffic.The MDX used up a tank of fuel (73 litres) in 400km around town.And the on-board fuel economy meter, measuring in km per litre rather than the Australian system of litres per 100km showed averages of about 5.8km for every litre of fuel.The actual usage amounts to 18.2 litres/100km which is thirsty work.Honda's official figures quote a combined highway/city cycle figure of a much better 12.9 litres/100km.And one other niggly feature about the fuel was that when fuel was added to the car the onboard readout indicating how many kilometres were left to be travelled before the tank ran dry did not automatically reset itself. Pressing a button marked reset on the dash didn't achieve anything either.So while the needle showed there was a quarter of a tank of fuel in the car, the readout indicated it had just 17km to go until it was empty.Just under 700 MDXs (677) were sold in Australia last year giving it 4.9 per cent of the luxury SUV market. That market is led by the BMW X5 which is dearer and only seats five.The MDX's seven seats are a definite bonus in this market, particularly for large families.Each seat importantly has a three-point seatbelt, something Honda's Odyssey people mover still lacks. And the DVD player and screen that are standard are a proven winner on long trips.So would I buy an MDX?Yes, based on looks, interior luxury and engine power, but not if it was only intended to drive around the suburbs.

Well, if you count the voices of Gandalf the Grey and Anakin Skywalker as bliss, that is.The good folk at Honda would like you to think that the comfort and calm of the children on the long trip was due to the qualities of the MDX four-wheel-drive.While that might help, the real reason is the addition of a new feature in the car, a virtual "must-have" for holidaying families: the in-car DVD player.The MDX now has a $3500 DVD system with a roof-mounted seven-inch screen included in the $69,900 price.It operates independently of the car's CD player and tuner by using two wireless headsets. However, the audio can also be heard by all occupants by flicking a switch in the glovebox and adjusting the frequency on the radio.So while the family watched movies, I settled in to driving and assessing the car.While this is a large seven-seat 4WD, it is also surprisingly agile.The MDX has broken clear of the tall mould in these cars and created a design that is much more square. It means the centre of gravity is lower and it doesn't have the "it's about to fall over" feeling of some 4WDs around sharp corners. The Honda still stands at 177cm, but it is noticeably lower than some other makes.Power is delivered from a 3.5-litre six-cylinder engine that pumps out maximum power of 191kW at 5800rpm and has a responsive 345Nm of torque at 3500rpm.That equates to handy acceleration around town and enough grunt to comfortably pull a fully laden trailer with all seven seats in use in the car. It is driven through a five-speed automatic gearbox.But all this size and power does have one down side. It is a thirsty beast. Around the city the fuel economy was up around 20 litres per 100km. On the highway that dropped to a best figure of 13.1 litres/100km, but that took 500km of highway driving before it was achieved.Honda's official figures quote an average of 12.9 litres/100km.Inside there is no doubt you are in a well-optioned car. The seats are leather, two in the front are heated, and the driver's seat has a power-adjusted two-setting memory button.While this may seem somewhat extravagant it was particularly handy with two people swapping driving duties every two hours.The dominant presence for the driver is a large display screen in the centre of the dash.It shows an array of information, from fuel consumption figures to the sound system operations and a compass.The MDX has a sun roof that, funnily enough, had the most use in an underground car park where a low roof seemed a problem, but in fact, was well clear.There's plenty of leg room in the front and second rows but the third row is a different story. It suits children, but is not really suitable for adults on long trips. Similarly the luggage space at the rear was small. Overall the MDX is a quality car at a quality price. Importantly, it has the flexibility of seven seats for big families.

It is large, squat and exhibits a powerful presence. Not unlike, you may think, a rhinoceros. Then again, maybe not.For reasons best known to themselves, Honda's design team settled on a rhinoceros, the blue sky states of America's southwest, and Santa Fe style, to drive their inspiration when hunting for a vehicle to send into battle in the luxury 4WD segment. Enter the MDX.Not the first large 4WD to be saddled with the rhinoceros analogy -- Musso, the lumpy Ssanyong/Daewoo dirt basher, is Korean for rhinoceros. The MDX probably deserves better. Unlike the rhino it is not particularly nasty or anti-social. Neither is it short-sighted nor happiest when coated with mud.In fact, the MDX is much more likely to be regarded as the domesticated rhino of cartoonist Gary Larson's imagination -- happily pottering around among its human friends in the heart of suburbia."The use of the rhinoceros was to underline the MDX's strength, presence and power," Honda Australia director Lindsay Smalley explains. "It's certainly a very large car when you get to it."Smalley says the MDX is the "flagship" of Honda's range, quickly adding that the Jazz, which has been a red-hot seller, was the "flagship of the compact range".Given the task Honda has set its new model, the MDX is going to have to be as thick-skinned as its inspiration.Thrown into the luxury 4WD deep-end against established stars like Mercedes' ML320, the BMW X5 and the soon-to-be-released Lexus RX330, the MDX has been set quite a task.It has a kitbag of extras with no options boxes to tick and a bargain-basement price tag of $69,990, giving it at least a $10,000 edge over the competition. Even so, Honda is predicting a fairly conservative 160 sales a month.Since the first generation of the MDX was launched in the US late in 2000, the car, which wears the luxury Acura badge, has sold more than 117,000 -- outselling both ML and X5 with 54,000 units last year.The Acura MDX has won a five-star rating in NCAP testing in the US and Smalley is confident it will top the class in Australia as well.Standard equipment includes in dependent front and rear climate control systems, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, cruise control, a concert quality six-CD/seven-speaker sound system, 10 cupholders, electric sunroof, foglights, 17-inch alloy wheels, eight-way power driver's seat with memory, heated front seats, auto-off headlights and leather upholstery. There is a 60/40 split-folding second row of seating and 50/50-split third row.Passengers are protected by dual-stage twin front and side airbags, traction control, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, front seat belt pre-tensioners, seven lap/sash seat belts and five child seat anchors.The 3.5-litre VTEC engine produces a handy 191kW at 5800rpm and 345Nm of torque at 3500rpm, with 95 per cent of that available between 2500rpm and 5500rpm. On the road, the real world application of that is that the MDX can be a little sluggish off the line, is nice and strong through most of the midrange as it holds the lower gearing, but quickly gets gaspy towards the top of the rev range.With a ratio of 0.530:1, fifth gear is nothing but an overdrive and fourth, at 0.729:1, is not a lot better. Third gear is where most of the action is going to take place.This is not a serious off-roader. Drive is predominantly through the front wheels -- 100 per cent when cruising on dry tarmac -- and variable to 50:50 as determined by the collection of sensors -- called VTM-4.Honda spins the system as being proactive to slip. It's not.It needs a drive-wheel to lose grip or the yaw sensor to detect a force at a predetermined level of lateral acceleration before it intervenes to shift torque among the wheels.What VTM-4 does do is make that decision swiftly and surely through electronically controlled clutches on the rear drive shafts. There is also a get-out-of-jail card with a dash-mounted button to lock torque to all wheels at speeds under 30km/h providing maximum escape capability for sandy or boggy conditions.Steering is a little light, but for a big car the MDX turns in nicely and responds well to driver input.Interior comfort is high with the seats very comfortable, the dash laid out in functional Honda style and room to burn for the first two rows of passengers. Third row seats are strictly for children.

The incoming waves have already given us the Mitsubishi Outlander, the Toyota Prado, the Kia Sorento and the Lexus RX330 in the first four months of the year. And that's only the all-new arrivals.The number is far bigger if you include updates on everything from the BMW X5 and the Mazda Tribute to Jeep's Grand Cherokee and the Mercedes ML.So where does the factory-fresh Honda MDX fit? It's towards the top, and not just on price and size.The MDX is a quality job that shows Honda is serious again about enticing people into showrooms with cutting-edge cars.This follows several years -- and models -- that were a bit less than Honda's best.The MDX is a new flagship in Australia and its pricetag of $69,990 covers everything, including a sunroof, seven leather seats and a body built big for America.It's going to lure people away from the pace-setting BMW X5 and the Mercedes ML in the luxury 4WD class, as well as creating a hot new rivalry with the Lexus RX330.Honda is right on the money with the MDX, which drives light yet tight. It has plenty of cabin space, a smooth V6 engine and a part-time 4WD system that should satisfy anyone who wants to do some light duty off the bitumen.Honda has made it a sharp price for its class and, by including all the gear you expect in a flagship, it could easily steal sales from the Legend sedan.It also gives the company somewhere to go if it decides to play the price game, using an MDX with less equipment.Right now, Honda expects it to repeat the performance of its compact CR-V to easily achieve 2000 sales a year.Australia has had to wait too long for the MDX, but only because of the cost of developing a right-hand drive model. When Japan finally said yes, it was also readied for showrooms Down Under.The basic layout is a big, two-box 4WD with a 3.5-litre V6 engine.A five-speed automatic gearbox turns the front wheels, with a button to boost drive to the back wheels.There are 10 cupholders, five child-restraint anchorages, and three 12-volt power sockets.It's an American-style high rider but with a softer Honda look and an all-in approach to luxury that should make shopping a lot easier.There are anti-skid brakes, front and head airbags, auto aircon, top CD sound, all the electric assists, alloy wheels, the sunroof and leather seats.The mechanical package is built up from a fully independent suspension bolted to a monocoque body, not a separate ladder-chassis 4x4 set-up.Honda claims 191kW of power and 345Nm of torque to move nearly two tonnes of MDX. And you have to use premium unleaded fuel to do the job.It's going to drive into action against a huge range of rivals, from the popular Pajero and the new Prado to the ML and the X5.But it has plenty of ammunition for the battle.It could also win friends from Legend shoppers. Sales of the Honda flagship have slumped to just nine cars in the first four months of this year.As well, it could provide a choice for Honda fans who would have bought an Odyssey people mover.On the road DRIVING the MDX is one of the better surprises. We expected it to be soft, relying on luxury equipment to make friends, but it's a lot better.It is swift, feels tight yet light, has easily the best suspension we've found on any recent Honda. And it wins points with everything from comfy front buckets to a foldaway third bench.It's as impressive in its own field as the compact Honda Jazz, and without the buck-buck suspension, which is the only real flaw in the four-star baby car.The MDX also won us over with its ability to cover distances with no fuss, tackle some lightweight off-roading without stress, and cater for big-family action.After the CRV, which we'd recommend for suburban duties but avoid if you want a weekend escape machine, the MDX really kicks.Honda's engineers have chosen front MacPherson struts in place of the twin wishbones that have been almost a signature item in all its vehicles. They make the car quiet and relaxed for highway work.It still has the signature steering, which is light but direct. There is no tugging under brisk acceleration and it is surprisingly easy to park.The 3.6-litre V6 didn't feel as punchy as Honda claims, but that could be down to the heavy body.It's a big car and it needs all 345Nm of torque to get it moving from a standing start. The engine pulls smoothly to the redline and there is good overtaking power.But the fuel economy of 13.4 litres/100km -- on premium fuel, remember -- shows it is working relatively hard.The rest of the MDX package is comfortable and enjoyable.We're no fans of the foot-operated parking brake, which could cause an injury in a side-on smash.And the giant screen in the centre of the dash is a fidgety gadget.But these are minor niggles in an instant four-star hit that's likely to find lots of friends in Australia.