Acura unveiled the all-new seven-passenger 2014 MDX luxury SUV at the New York Auto Show today. Riding on a completely new platform, the 2014 MDX promises increased fuel efficiency, better dynamics and a more versatile and luxurious cabin. Also, in a first for the MDX, the SUV will be offered in a front-wheel drive configuration.
The 2014 MDX is powered by an all-new direct-injected 3.5-liter i-VTEC V6 engine featuring Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) that delivers 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft (362 Nm) of torque. The unit is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with Sport Mode and Sequential SportShift Paddle Shifters.
Acura’s new luxury SUV will be offered in both Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) and two-wheel-drive drivetrain variants, both featuring Acura's new Agile Handling Assist technology.
The 2014 MDX with AWD has an EPA city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 18/27/21 mpg (13 liters per 100 km/8.7 lt/11.2 lt), while the new front-wheel-drive model is EPA rated at 20/28/23 mpg (11.7 lt/8.4 lt/10.2 lt).
Acura says it developed and tested the 2014 MDX on the Nürburgring, claiming it is 8 seconds faster than the outgoing model round the fearsome German track. We’ll leave to your appreciation on how relevant is that for a large seven-seater SUV…
However, one thing that’s really good for the new MDX is that it’s 275 pounds (124.7 kg) lighter than the previous generation and has a 111-inch (2,819 mm) wheelbase (2.75 inches/70 mm longer than before), thus offering more space for passengers in the last two rows of seats.
There are no design surprises, with the production model following closely the lines of theDetroit motor show prototype. On the inside, the luxury SUV claims to offer fine materials and features, and also improved third-row access with the addition of a new One-Touch Walk-In feature, which folds and slides the second-row seats to their forward-most position. Rear cargo space is also improved and now has a new underfloor storage area. An interesting addition is a cavernous center console between the front seats that can accommodate a purse, laptop case or a pair of iPads.
The 2014 Acura MDC will go on sale in the U.S. this summer and will be available in four trim levels – MDX, MDX with Technology package, MDX with Technology and Entertainment Packages and the top-of-the-line MDX with Advance and Entertainment packages. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.
By Dan Mihalascu
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