2017 MDX first drive

"E92M3" (E46M3)
08/01/2016 at 11:20 • Filed to: None

The new MDX has been on dealer lots for about a month now. I’ve been checking the web for reviews every couple of days, but there’s been nothing since the NY Auto Show debut back in march. Yet the new Ridgeline has been reviewed by everyone. Sometimes you just have to take matters into your own hands. On Saturday I was running errands, and happened to stop at a UPS Store next to an area Acura dealer. I had 45 mins to kill before meeting someone for lunch nearby, so I thought to myself let’s see if I can get a test drive in. They had a white 2017 base that wasn’t spoken for yet (They’ve been selling as quickly as they came in). My guess is a lot of people have been waiting for a less ugly model to upgrade to (no more can opener grille).

It’s actually quite good looking in person compared to the 2016. It drove really well. The 9spd transmission seems to have finally been sorted. I didn’t feel any weird shifting that people complain about in the 2016's. The steering is light under 5 mph, but stiffens up as speed increases. Throttle response is perfect. No half second delays like you get in some german SUV’s. The leather seats have are impressive compared to prior gens. Much higher quality stitching, and the right amount of bolstering. My only complaints are that it feels BIG compared to my 2009, and some materials inside (center stack surround and buttons) look and feel cheap for a $55k luxury SUV. The base audio system isn’t very good either. You’ll definitely want to opt for the technology package.

Final conclusion is it’s a huge improvement over last years model, but I think I would buy a slightly used Cayenne over it (unless I needed the 3rd row).

DISCUSSION (15)

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > E92M3
08/01/2016 at 11:29

How was the back seat? I remember some of the earlier ones having not great back seats.

chaozbandit > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
08/01/2016 at 11:37

Have an older one, can confirm second row isn’t great. Third row is even worse.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > chaozbandit
08/01/2016 at 11:40

I’ve never tried one of their third rows. I probably wouldn’t fit either.

fennelbreath > E92M3
08/01/2016 at 12:16

Honda/Acura can be sort of slow to make stuff available for reviews. It’s always struck me as a little strange because their competitors, especially Toyota, go overboard with press fleet availability.

E92M3 > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
08/01/2016 at 12:41

I thought it was fine. I would probably opt for the captain chairs in the 2nd row just to make the 3rd row more easily accessible (not that anyone wants to sit back there for more than 15 mins).

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > E92M3
08/01/2016 at 12:45

I haven’t gotten the chance to sit in a new Acura so that’s improvement if an actual person would sit there.

E92M3 > fennelbreath
08/01/2016 at 12:51

At first I thought maybe they just didn’t put them in the press fleet. Which is kind of suspicious.. Most vehicles are reviewed before they are on lots to build anticipation. They haven’t even held a press drive with a handful of journalists. Almost like they expect criticisms, and want to avoid it. Now that they are on lots I would of expected one of the less famous youtube channels to test drive one to make a quick video. While many people on here could careless about the MDX, it’s kind of like a Toyota highlander. Easy to get 100k views, by non-enthusiasts/everyday people with families.

fennelbreath > E92M3
08/01/2016 at 12:53

My site hasn’t reviewed it yet, but we have a weird mix of the site itself getting invites, and then freelancers getting invites. Which is how most work, but it means sometimes stuff slips through the cracks in terms of previews.