From the Logbook
"The term 'surprising' doesn't even begin to describe the MDX and its capabilities. It rides like a sedan, hauls like a station wagon, and tackles off-road trails like a truck. A Jack of all trades? Perhaps. A well-thought-out and executed SUV? Definitely."
--Scott Mead
"A 200-mile round trip to Santa Barbara and back with 22.9 mpg!! Wow! If there's a midsize SUV out there that gets similar mileage, I've never driven it. Spectacular. And the MDX doesn't mind a throttle romp every so often."
--Mark Williams
"The engine is sprightly and smooth, never wanting for passing power. The MDX drives and feels surprisingly light. But it's no lightweight on the road."
--Thomas Voehringer
"Combines the best of car, truck, and SUV into one great package. Tight, car-like handling let us carve corners with ease, yet wasn't so rough as to require a kidney belt."
--John Kiewicz
"There's a lot to like about the MDX, mostly in that it serves the needs most people have for a mid-luxury SUV. The "magic" rear seat is truly that. It serves up a polished driving experience, will do more than its share of off-road work, and represents good value and high feature content for the money. Those climate controls are maddening, but, otherwise, a good piece."
--Matt Stone
What's New, Changed, Different
For '02, Acura installed new diffuser side mirrors, a sound-absorbing roof lining, thicker windshield glass, and a layer of Thinsulate insulation in key areas of the interior to reduce noise transmission. Four new colors were added. Model-year '03 brings a power increase, from 240 hp to 260. The suspension has been tweaked toward a sportier feel, and a new DVD rear-seat entertainment setup is available to keep passengers smiling.