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Premium midsize SUV; Built in
  • 4-door wagon
  • transverse front-engine/all-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $32,300 – $43,000*


2014 Acura MDX


2014 Acura MDX


2014 Acura MDX


2014 Acura MDX

Pros:
  • Fuel economy
  • Quietness
  • Steering/handling
Cons:
  • Control layout
  • 3rd-row seat room/comfort

The MDX drives and handles exceptionally well and boasts a quiet, refined cabin that has pretty much everything you need and nothing you don’t. Rear-seat room and comfort are not great, though. Further, the control interface has a couple usability issues. Still, this Acura Best Buy (2014) deserves a top spot on your shopping list.

Overview

The Acura MDX did for the 7-passenger luxury crossover segment what the Lexus RX 350 did for the 5-passenger luxury crossover segment. It essentially invented it. Since its debut back in 2001, MDX has been a consistent best seller for Honda’s luxury marque.

When MDX debuted more than a decade ago, you couldn’t find another 7-passenger luxury crossover on the market. Its closest rival was the 5-seat Lexus RX. Acura still considered the RX to be a rival, but perhaps more appropriate competitors in this space were the BMW X5, Buick Enclave, and Infiniti JX35/QX60.

MDX’s sole engine/transmission combo was a 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 paired with a 6-speed automatic. Previously, MDX was all-wheel drive only, but front-wheel-drive models joined the lineup for 2014.

All 2014 Acura MDX models included the safety features buyers can expect from a vehicle in this class. Blind-spot alert and forward-collision warning were newly standard on Technology models. Advance versions added lane-departure prevention to the Technology’s included lane-departure-warning system and collision mitigation to the forward-collision warning.

Yearly Updates

2014 MDX

Engines

transverse front-engine/all-wheel drive

MDX’s sole engine/transmission combo was a 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 paired with a 6-speed automatic. Previously, MDX was all-wheel drive only, but front-wheel-drive models joined the lineup for 2014.

ohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.5/212
Engine HP 290
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 267
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed automatic

 18/27

 20

Road Test

Only the Advance Entertainment with all-wheel drive was made available for our preview drive. MDX’s new 3.5-liter V6 engine delivers power very smoothly, if not always strongly. You’re never wanting for more muscle, but at the same time, MDX might not feel as sprightly as some luxury buyers might prefer. The 6-speed automatic transmission kicks down quickly when the driver desires more power. Upshifts are not always seamless, even when accelerating at a more leisurely pace.

The MDX’s fuel economy is 20 city/28 highway with front drive and 18/27 with AWD. Consumer Guide averaged 20.1 mpg over 236.6 miles covered (68 percent of them under city driving conditions). Acura recommends premium-grade gasoline for the MDX.

The MDX rides comfortably with good body control. The fully independent suspension did an excellent job of quelling jolts from road imperfections without inducing any unwanted secondary motions.

MDX is a quiet vehicle. A stronger body and additional sound-deadening materials make for an atmosphere largely free of wind and road noise. If we had to nitpick, the only source of racket worth mentioning is the engine. It’s only heard during full-throttle acceleration. It doesn’t sound unrefined, but it’s not the best noise either.

The analog speedometer and tachometer are easy to read, as are digital message displays that appear on a screen between the speedo and tach dials. While the navigation system continues operation in a screen atop the center of the dashboard, most of the audio and climate functions are now part of a smaller touchscreen, similar to the Acura RLX premium-midsize sedan. Though an improvement over the previous MDX, this new control system still takes some acclimation. Simple actions such as tuning the radio and adjusting seating heating/ventilation require multiple virtual button presses that can distract drivers.

MDX’s cabin is best described as “purposeful luxury” rather than high-end opulence. Interior materials are solid and pleasing to look at and touch.

Overall room is quite good, and the seats are long-haul comfortable, with just the right amount of support. Somewhat thick rear roof pillars and tall headrests can obstruct visibility. When in use, the Advance Entertainment model’s ultra-wide DVD entertainment screen can block the view out back. Kudos to Acura for including blind-spot alert on more than just the most expensive trim level. We wish they would do the same for the available ventilated seats.

The 2nd-row bench seat is unremarkable for both comfort and space. Taller passengers will find headroom a bit cramped. The seat is also adjustable fore and aft, and most occupants will want it in its most rearward position for optimal legroom. MDX offers handy one-touch power operation that tilts and slides the 2nd-row seat, allowing for easier access to the 3rd row. Once situated, however, passengers will find headroom and legroom in very short supply, even with the 2nd row adjusted forward.

Both rows of rear seats split and fold very easily to form a nearly flat cargo floor. There’s a small under-floor bin behind the 3rd row, but it’s a bit too shallow to be of real use. Interior storage is ample. The center console can be configured to accommodate a tablet. The glovebox is large, as are the door pockets.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2014 MDX Advance Entertainment

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 6
60%
Fuel Economy - 5
50%
Ride Quality - 7
70%
Steering/Handling - 7
70%
Quietness - 8
80%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Front - 8
80%
Room/Comfort Rear - 6
60%
Cargo Room - 9
90%

Other

Value - 6
60%

Total: 68

Specifications

4-door wagon
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
111.0 193.6 77.2 66.7
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
90.9 19.5 7.0
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.1 38.3 41.1 38.5
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2014 MDX 4-door wagon

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Front Passenger Injury - 5
100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Rear Passenger Injury - 5
100%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

None
Description: None to date

Recall History

2014 MDX
Description: Air-conditioning compressor-clutch drive bolts might not have received proper anti-corrosion coating. The bolts could corrode and break, resulting in the compressor clutch plate separating from the vehicle.
2014 MDX Advance Pkg.
Description: The Collision Mitigation Braking System may mistake certain roadside objects as obstacles and unexpectedly apply the brakes for an emergency stop.
2014 MDX
Description: Seatbelts may not extend or retract in cold weather.
2014 AWD MDX
Description: The bolts that attach the drive shaft to the automatic transmission transfer case might not have been adequately tightened. The drive shaft could detach and damage the vehicle.
2014 MDX with Trailer Hitch Harness Kit 08L91-TZ5-200
Description: The wiring harness of Trailer Hitch Harness Kit 08L91-TZ5-200 may not supply power to an accessory trail brake controller. When towing a trailer, stopping distances could be longer.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on April 20, 2016.
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