2004 ACURA MDX
Find, Buy, Review, Make offers on, and View more vehicles like the 2004 acura mdx new at UsedNewCars.com!
Click Here For More Reviews On Edmunds.com
 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
A somewhat bland but otherwise utterly capable and perfectly useful crossover SUV.
Pros
Room for seven passengers or serious amounts of cargo, gutsy V6 engine, well-balanced suspension, top-rated crash test scores, low price.
Cons
Limited off-road capability, below-average tow rating, ho-hum interior design and materials.
What''s New for 2004
A number of interior, exterior and mechanical updates were made for 2004. The V6 engine added slightly more power and is now rated at 265 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. Outside, you''ll find a restyled front fascia, new chrome trim, dual exhaust tips, a new wheel design for Touring models, updated headlights and taillights and a rear wing spoiler. The interior now features trendy brushed metal-look trim for the center stack, leather armrests, auto-on/off headlights, new ambient foot lighting and enhanced functionality of the second-row seat for third-row access. Touring models get a new version of the Bose premium audio system and power lumbar support for the driver seat. Finally, safety has been improved on all MDXs with the addition of side curtain airbags and a tire-pressure monitoring system.
Overview
Introduction:
How many different luxury SUVs should a luxury brand sell to satiate Americans'' desire for a primo ride? Lexus and Cadillac offer three. Land Rover and Mercedes have two. GMC, if one were to consider it a luxury brand, has -- ahem -- five. So should we pity Acura, then? It has but one SUV.That SUV happens to be the MDX. And no, you shouldn''t pity Acura. Instead of dilution, the company has been able to stay focused on its one offering and make sure it''s as good as it can be. The MDX is meticulously engineered to serve a specific purpose, much like a good set of Craftsman tools. It can seat up to seven people and it offers plenty of luxury accruements. And since it''s a crossover SUV, meaning that it''s more of a car than a truck, its unibody construction pays dividends in handling and safety, though it''s not as rugged as some domestic SUVs and their body-on-frame designs. Acura has also been keen to keep the MDX fresh. Though it just received a host of changes last year, the MDX gains even more improvements for 2004, including styling changes, new interior features and slightly more power. There''s no question that the MDX is one of the best luxury crossover SUVs sold. But the MDX is not given to whimsy or flair. It isn''t a vehicle you aspire to own. This is the one you buy because you need it. The MDX gives you plenty of room for the family, a ride they can all live with, an engine that will move them swiftly and more than enough features to keep them comfortable and safe. If this is your idea of the perfect luxury crossover SUV, the MDX is your vehicle.
 |
For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The MDX is offered as a four-door only in either base or Touring trim. Base models come well equipped with 17-inch wheels, heated mirrors, keyless entry, leather seating (heated in front), a power driver seat, front and rear automatic climate control, a CD player and a moonroof. Touring models add a roof rack, a rear wiper, a power front-passenger seat, a driver-seat memory feature and an upgraded audio system with an in-dash six-CD changer. Ordering the Touring model also allows you to specify the optional DVD-based navigation system (now with voice recognition and a remote rearview video camera), the DVD entertainment system for rear passengers, or both.
Powertrains and Performance:
While most luxury SUVs offer a V8 as the top-line engine, the MDX comes only with a 265-hp, 3.5-liter V6. Though the tow rating suffers (3,500 pounds), acceleration is comparable to other SUVs and fuel mileage is superior. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard and it helps the MDX earn an EPA mileage estimate of 17 city/23 highway. The MDX also has ULEV status nationwide. Power travels to all four wheels through Acura''s Variable Torque Management (VTM) full-time four-wheel-drive system.
Safety:
The MDX comes standard with four-wheel antilock disc brakes, seat-mounted side airbags for front occupants, stability control and three-point seatbelts in every position. This year, it also comes with head-protecting side-curtain airbags and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Should an accident prove unavoidable, MDX counters with high crash test scores; it scored five stars (out of five) in the government front- and side-impact tests. The IIHS gave the MDX a "Good" rating (the highest possible) for its performance in the 40-mph frontal offset crash test.
|
For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
Perhaps because of its minivan roots, the MDX''s interior does little to inspire or awe. But it is quite functional. The second-row rear seats offer ample room, and the third-row seat is fine for children. The spacious cabin also makes the MDX a very practical cargo carrier. The second-row seats are split 60/40, folding nearly flat with one simple latch. The third-row seat is all one unit that folds flat, as well. With both the second- and third-row seats folded down, there''s 82 cubic feet of usable space.
|
For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
Comfortable on rough city streets, yet firm enough to feel agile in the corners, the MDX offers a pleasing compromise between ride comfort and handling ability. On mild off-road jaunts, the MDX is well up to the task of soaking up big hits as well as smoothing out long, winding stretches of bumpy fire road. Eight inches of ground clearance allows the MDX to clear small obstacles with ease.
|
For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
[ UsedNewCars.com ] [ Information Index ] [ Site Map ]
[ ACURA Information Index ] [ SUV Information Index ]
|
