While I’m partially sick of Japanese car companies trying to turn standard family cars into “luxury” vehicles, I’m optimistic that a lot of automotive companies are trying to draw a bolder line between the two segments. One company that has been trying slightly harder than its competitors is Acura. 

We had a chance to test out the 2014 Acura MDX, and have come up with a list of what we like and dislike about the vehicle.

First, let’s go over the specs:

-3.5-litre V6 Direct Injection V-TEC engine outputting 290 horsepower

-267 lb. ft. of torque

-6-speed automatic transmission

-Super Handling All-Wheel Drive

-Hill Start Assist

-Lots of airbags

-7 seats with third and second row fold-flat seats

-Back-up camera

-Power tailgate

-Tri-zone climate control

The vehicle had the Elite Package, and includes pretty much every gadget you have heard about, and thought “I wish my car had that!” Some of these features include:

-Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow†† 

-16” ultra-wide rear display to keep the kids entertained

-Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS®) 

-Front and rear parking sensors 

-Lane Keeping Assist

-Bird’s-eye camera

-Ventilated front seats

-546-watt Premium Audio System with 12 speakers

Like: Design

As I sit at a Starbucks and write this article, I’m listening in on a couple’s conversation. The wife asks her husband, “What SUV is that?” to which he responds, “Acura.” The woman then asks her husband, “Is it German?”

While the designers at Acura may take this as a compliment, it looks more like a fact. The design on this new MDX is very German-inspired. The back of the car looks very Audi-esque – perhaps stealing styling cues from the more expensive Audi Q7. Regardless, it’s tastefully executed – and looks even better in the dark.

The front of the MDX stands out. While some may argue that the shape of the lights remain quite similar to the outgoing model, that isn’t the case. The headlights on the new MDX are thinner and longer than the previous generation. Oh, and did I mention how amazing the Jewel Eye headlights look?

Like: Power seatbelts?

I understand seatbelts are a necessity and are capable of saving lives, but they can annoy and impede my driving. After driving the MDX, I have to say that its seatbelts have to be the most comfortable to have ever groped my chest. When changing the gear from “Park” to “Drive”, the seatbelts have a built-in mechanism that adjusts itself to conform to your body. Heck, there were times when I worried whether my seatbelt was actually on!

Like: Elite Package

I usually tell people to avoid upgrading their car systems because they’re just pouring money down the drain. But when you have a family and need the conveniences, having gadgets and gizmos somewhat makes sense – especially on a big vehicle like this. 

The Elite Package on the 2014 MDX comes at a cost of $16,000. By no means is that pocket change. You seriously have to think about whether you want to spend that kind of money as $16,000 can probably buy you a Honda Civic! 

However, you do get a lot for the money. We really liked the 360-degree bird’s-eye camera which made it feel like there was a helicopter hovering above us as we parked. This feature gives you four downward-facing wide angle cameras providing you a tour around the car as you park. We were surprised how sharp it was especially at night. The Elite Package also includes an ultra-wide 16-inch screen for rear passengers, adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist.

Dislike: Third row legroom

Legroom in the first two rows is exceptional. You could easily fit five adults comfortably and go on a cross-country road trip without much trouble. But the third row of seats, like most seven-passenger SUVs, is meant for small kids. If you find yourself in the rare situation of having seven grown adults in one household and need a vehicle like this to move them around – look elsewhere. To be honest, look at a minibus. On the other hand, if your high-maintenance dog constantly whines about how he hates being put in the boot on every trip, give him the entire third row. And maybe show him how nice he has it – play him those movies (on the 16-inch ultra-wide screen) where celebrities walk around Hollywood with their pint-sized dogs stuffed in their purse.

Dislike: Acronyms on buttons

LKAS? ACC? CMBS? It took me a few days to understand what these things meant. Now yes, I was too lazy to pick up the manual and too scared to experiment with the buttons without knowing what they meant. Anyway, when you get a high-tech vehicle like this, you will eventually be using the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS) and the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) quite often – heck you spent $16,000 to get these upgrades! That being said, I think Acura could have used icons to explain these functions better. But once you know what these acronyms are, getting used to them won’t be an issue.