Acura's simplicity makes the MDX easy to spell out. Base price is $37,470 - $4,635 more than the identical Honda Pilot EX with leather. The biggie option is the $2,825 Touring Package: Bose stereo, 6-disc in-dash CD changer, HandsFreeLink with BlueTooth phone interface, exclusive alloy wheels, driver recognition memory settings for seat and mirrors, power lumbar support, power passenger seat, speed- and rain-sensing wipers, roof rack. After buying that, you get rear-seat DVD ($1,500) or navigation ($2,750), or both, or neither.
Lexus's RX330, already in its second generation, would be the MDX's closest competition, being the only other front-wheel-drive sedan-derived midsize luxury SUV. $38,075 is pretty even, though Lexus offers a front-drive model for $1,400 less (and a hybrid for $10,985 more). Choose the Lexus if you crave that last bit of extra isolation. Avoid either of these if you need to tow; the MDX trailer-handling abilities top out at a meager 3,500 pounds.
Secondary competitors include the Infiniti FX35, BMW X5, Mercedes ML, Cadillac SRX, and Volvo XC90, Volkswagen Touareg (four of those are newcomers). Especially tempting is the Infiniti, having the most V6 power, lowest price, and rear-wheel-drive availability. If I didn't need to seat seven, I'd go with it, personally. It's a hard-rider, though - a little more than the Acura and the opposite of the Lexus.
|