Is this the 2014 Acura MDX?

Edmunds’ Inside Line caught this mystery SUV on a drive by in Arizona this week. The grille outline peeks through just enough to hint at Acura DNA, but not enough to make any formal confirmation.

The majority peg it as the 2014 Acura MDX, and I’d say it’s a pretty good guess. It definitely appears to have the “shield”, but to me the shape of the emblem looks unusually round to contain the Acura logo.

Get a closer look with a high res image at insideline.com.

[Source: Edmunds' Inside Line]

Best Retained Value SUV Over $45,000: 2012 Acura MDX

After an honorable mention last year, today Edmunds.com has announced Acura as the top luxury brand winner in its 2012 Best Retained Value^® Awards. In its second year, the awards aim to recognize brands and individual models that have the highest projected resale value after five years according to Edmunds’ data.

“Edmunds.com found that Honda’s average projected retained value after five years is 47.9%, while Acura’s average projected retained value is 44.6%.”

The Acura MDX took top spot in the SUV Over $45,000 segment, while the Acura TL and TSX are honorable mentions in the Sedan $30K-$40K segment.

“Honda has long had a reputation for dependable used vehicles, and that is reflected in today’s booming used car market, “ said Joe Spina, Director of Remarketing at Edmunds.com. “And with Acura beating out all other luxury brands, Honda’s family of vehicles continues to expand the company’s status as one of the best values available to car buyers today. “

This is Acura’s first time as the Luxury brand winner and Honda’s second consecutive win in the Non-Luxury division.

Visit Edmunds.com for more information or click here for the press release.

[Source: Edmunds.com]

Official release from www.acuranews.com:

Best selling Acura TSX, TL and MDX receive IIHS accolades

12/15/2011 – TORRANCE, Calif.

Acura today announced that three of its best selling models received the highest possible safety rating of TOP SAFETY PICK from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) under its more-stringent testing guidelines implemented last year.

The Acura TSX sedan and wagon, TL and MDX earned the highest-possible score of GOOD in all four ratings, including the more rigorous roof-strength test. According to the IIHS, vehicles rated good for rollover protection have roofs more than twice as strong as the current federal standard requires. The IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK award recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting vehicle occupants in front, side, rollover, and rear crashes based on ratings in the Institute’s evaluations.

All 2012 Acura models utilize the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure. ACE™ is an exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal crashes. The ACE™ design utilizes a network of connected structural elements to distribute crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle. This enhanced frontal crash energy management helps to reduce the forces transferred to the passenger compartment.

Standard safety equipment on all Acura models include Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with traction control, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), dual-stage/multiple-threshold front airbags, front-side airbags with passenger side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), side curtain airbags for all outboard seating positions, front seats with integrated active head restraints, front seatbelts with automatic tensioning system and load limiters, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Daytime Running Lights (DRL).

About Acura
Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 272 dealers within the United States. The 2012 Acura lineup features six distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan and Sport Wagon, the turbocharged RDX crossover SUV, the MDX luxury SUV and the ZDX four-door sports coupe.

[Source: Acura]

Acura China's MDX

Acura China’s MDX is the featured vehicle for the month of December.

Select a resolution(right-click on link, Save Target/Link As…): 1024×768 | 1280×1024

[Source: Acura China]

Acura MDX Off-Road

Let’s face it, the Acura MDX was never built to be an off-road beast. Designed with luxury in mind combined with utility and the ability to tackle harsh road conditions, it’s definitely no pushover either. 

With a quick YouTube search I found some clips of brave MDX owners willing to push their vehicles beyond the boundaries of paved roads. While it looks like no MDXs were hurt in the making of these videos, I wouldn’t recommend attempting these feats.

Click here to see the videos

Edmunds Inside Line took an Acura to the track, but it wasn’t the TL or the TSX. You won’t often find a 7-passenger SUV running the slalom, but in this test the 2011 Acura MDX proved to be more than accommodating. With impressive numbers like these, it would give your typical sedan a run for its money.

Inside Line Track Test Results:
0-60(sec): 7.3
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout(sec): 7.0
1/4-Mile(sec @ mph): 15.4 @ 90.8
60-0(ft): 125
Skid Pad(g): 0.84
Slalom(mph): 61.3

Visit InsideLine.com for more Track Test Videos.

[Source: Inside Line via YouTube]

2012 Acura MDX

Official release from www.acuranews.com: 

Cutting-Edge Technology Features Make the 2012 MDX a Class Leader

10/05/2011 – TORRANCE, Calif.

The award-winning Acura MDX luxury SUV continues to be the category benchmark for styling, performance and safety for 2012. Currently in its second generation, the MDX offers tremendous appeal thanks to a wide array of available technology features designed to make driving more enjoyable, more productive and safer.

The 2012 MDX continues to deliver eye-catching looks as a result of Acura’s signature design front grille, a bold front fascia, a rear fascia with integrated polished stainless-steel exhaust finishers, sleek taillights with bright LED lights, and bold 18-inch diameter 5-spoke aluminum wheels. An available Advance Package (with items such as the Active Damper System and 19-inch 7-spoke aluminum wheels) further enhances handling while retaining the comfortable, quiet and controlled ride quality expected of a luxury vehicle.

Inside, the 2012 MDX treats occupants with leather-trimmed seats, a thick sport-style steering wheel with racing-inspired paddle shifters, bold design gauges and available ventilated front seats. In addition, a host of driver relevant technology is available including AcuraLink® Satellite Communication System, Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with Traffic Rerouting™, and AcuraLink Real-Time Weather™ with radar image maps. Other available features include a full VGA 8-inch navigation screen, a rear view camera with three unique view choices, rear entertainment system with a full VGA color screen, an audio system with 15 gigabytes of dedicated hard disk drive (HDD) space for music along with USB port and AUX jack connectivity.

“Long considered the benchmark in its class, the MDX has always provided equal parts sport and utility,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. “Add in Acura’s plentiful use of cutting-edge technology, and you can see why the MDX is so popular.”

In keeping with Acura’s leadership in the application of advanced, customer-relevant features, the 2012 MDX is available with an array of cutting edge technologies including Acura’s unique Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and a blind spot information system (BSI).

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