The 2004 Acura MDX is a near-luxury SUV. It competes with other full size SUVs. Other SUV's considered and driven were the BMW X5 and X3, Lexus 2003 RX300 and 2004 RX330, Toyota Highlander SE, and VW Tourag. The X5 is a superior ride all around, but the MDX was an acceptable (and much cheaper) second in our minds.
The basic information for the MDX remains largely unchanged from previous models years. The changes for 2004 include slightly more power, dual exhaust and newer tail lights, a side curtain airbag, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
The performance is on par with similar priced vehicles. It has a 265-horsepower, 3.5-liter, V-6, SOHC engine. It only has an automatic transmission that comes with full time stability control. This takes over when tires slip or the car is about to lose control. The MDX is not meant for true off-roading, but would survive an occasional trip through slightly rough terrain.
The suspension is average. The SUV is built on the Honda Odyssey platform, which is built on the Accord platform. The SUV drives like a car. This is an SUV, not a 60K sedan. Bumps will be slightly felt, and road noise is also heard at higher speeds. The cabin is very quiet, but not silent.
The build quality is very high. Everything has a solid feel to it. The lights slowly dim and the car just seems to anticipate what you would want it to do. It is a pleasure to be in.
The MDX comes available in a base package and touring model. The touring model adds a roof rack, rain sensing windshield washers, Bose speaker upgrades, and has the option of a rear entertainment system and navigation system. Everything is displayed by an LCD display. The navigation option adds voice activated commands as well as GPS based mapping. The screen is easy to read and changes to a night time display mode as it gets darker so as to not be a bright distracting light. The system responds to voice commands. For example, you can say "Find nearest Chinese restaurant" and a list of near by Chinese restaurants appear. Select the one you want and the system will talk you through getting there. You can pick from male or female voice.
With the navigation system, when the car is in reverse the main display becomes a rear view camera to help in backing up. When the navigation and DVD system are bought together, the 6 disc CD changer that is normally an in dash unit becomes a magazine loaded changer underneath the driver seat. The stereo controls also gain DVD control bulk and are a bit confusing at first.
The rear entertainment system is a small flip down LCD DVD player. This can be controlled by the driver, the back passengers, or from a remote. The rear passenger control can be locked out by the driver. The rear passengers can listen to the DVD (or radio or 6 disc CD changer) through included wireless headphones. The driver and rear passengers can listen to different CDs. There are also aux inputs for a Playstation or Xbox.
The MDX comes with 3 row seating. The 2nd and 3rd rows can also lay nearly flat to increase the cargo room to be big enough to hold a full sized drywall sheet. The 3rd row seating is very tight, only children could sit in those seats and even then it is hard to get into and out of. The 2nd row passengers have their own AC control, the 3rd row doesn’t. Also the side curtain airbags only protect the first 2 rows of passengers. The 2nd row is big enough for adults, but 3 would be cramped for long rides.
The interior is leather. There is fake wood trim that doesn’t look all that bad. The interior display is a very nice soft blue on white, significantly better than the 2003 look. There are 10 cup holders through out the car. The center console can fold back to hold a cell phone (with powered cable outlet and pass thru) and a few small loose items. Underneath that is a CD storage area.
The driver seat is 8 way directional. It is comfortable to sit in. I am 6 foot 2 inches and anyone taller may not find a comfortable place to rest their left foot. The dead pedal spot is angled oddly for taller people. 4 hour drives would be a problem for me. My shorter wife loves it.
The car handles great. It drives like a car. I can easily zip through busy traffic thanks to the quick acceleration and smooth steering. It doesn't feel heavy.
The windows are all tinted except for the front. A moon roof is included. Leather and 6 disc CD are standard. With the exception of the DVD or navigation, there are no options on the MDX. If you add up feature to price, the MDX is a deal compared to the RX330 or X5.
I called the MDX near luxury because it isn’t the finest automobile out there. It is however an outstanding SUV. This car isn’t cheap. The 2004 offers little relief from MSRP. 36K is base plus extra for touring, the navigation, and DVD. Dealers don’t keep the popular colors in stock for long. Ours was purchased off a list of cars arriving within the next month, so any negotiated amount below MSRP is a victory.
We liked the MDX a lot more than the Lexus RX300. The 2004 RX330 was much closer to the MDX in how well it drives. We strongly considered that car. The X5 out paced them all, but with the larger engine and just a few options you are already almost $15,000 more than the MDX!
Now for the small problems noticed so far. The navigation system takes close to 30 seconds to “boot up” when you start the car. This includes a painful 10 second warning screen that must be acknowledged by pressing an OK button. If you don't wait for the OK, you have a 10% chance that the other non-navigation based portions of the touch screen will lock up. This means you can’t change the airflow of the AC. (You can change the temp, just not the fan speed) You can’t see the on board trip computer, or access the built in calendar or any of the other systems. Acura is aware of the problem, their advice is to wait for the OK. Restarting the car fixes this bug. The system is upgradeable so it will get fixed, hopefully soon.
At highway speeds of 68 – 74 mph a noticeable hum is heard. It is a combination of the tires, the cars drag, and bad luck. Some people claim it drives them crazy, and after spending over $40,000 I'd expect it to not do this. When at highway speed you hear a dull roar that the stereo easily drowns out, this hum is a slightly louder highway roar. It is noticeable without the radio on, but if the radio is on at anything other than a very soft level you won't hear this. Also it is just at those speeds when the engine is between 2000 to 3000 RPM. I just set the cruise to 67 ot 75 mph and I never hear it. It doesn't bother me, but some people are more sensitive to it.
The final annoying MDX trait is the weeping window. After rain, or a wash, or any amount of moisture the driver window will leave a 3 inch streak of water if you roll the window down then back up. For example, if it rained at 5am and at 7am you go to a drive thru window, when you roll the window down then up it will be slightly wet. If you went to the drive thru 2 hours later or on a really warm morning, then everything would have dried out and no water streak would be seen. Annoying only to those who just washed the car, or those with extreme issues with detail.
Other than those problems, this SUV is great. It is less likely to be found on the road than the Lexus RX300 or 330, so that is a huge plus. It is roomier than the BMW. The control is fantastic. The gas mileage is poor. I’ve found 16 city, 23 highway is as good as it is going to get. Acura claims 17 city. It requires premium gas, but mixing in a round of middle grade now and then doesn’t seem to hurt. I’ve only briefly mentioned some of the features available. It has cruise control, a garage door link times 3, auto on lights, wipers, and interior lights. 2 memory positions with lumbar support. Steering wheel radio control. Theft deterrent and the engine won’t start without the actual key being present.
The full specs can be found at http://www.acura.com
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 42500
Condition: New Model Year: 2004 Model and Options: Touring Navi RES
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