Great engine. The size seems to be just right for our family.

A bit too much wind noise from the mirrors. The navigation system needs far more detail for those of us who don't live in Metropolis.

So far this vehicle has met most every expectation I had for it. The amount of interior room amazes me compared to friend's RX300 and the X5. The kids love the 3rd row seat and the ride reminds me of my 1997 ES300. The surprise was the navigation system. I live in a city of 70,000+ and can only get highways and a couple of main roads shown. There are no listings for gas stations, ATM, etc. until I get near Milwaukee (75 miles away). I have a laptop GPS program that has ten times the detail and was only a couple hundred dollars.

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Lincoln Navigator last three years. Too large, not much difference in passenger room, gas hog, unrefined.

All the things I would have had to pay extra for in the RX300 are standard...leather, moonroof, AWD, CD player, etc.
Good gas mileage for SUV w/4WD. A little meatier looking than the RX300, and much roomier.

I've heard from a few people that if you have the touring package, you'll get some noise from the roofrack. I opted for the standard package as I don't need the extra storage on top.
If you get the running boards or side step, be prepared to get your pants/skirts/whatever dirty as you get in and out. I was going to add side step, but decided I didn't NEED them or the hassel of the mess.
Tough to get into the 3rd row seats, but I think the times I'll actually
need to use them will be few and far between.
Finally, I keep seeing reviews that the MDX is not a "real" SUV because of it's real off-road capabilities. Acura does not market this as a super off-road vehicle and I think if people have done their research, they should know this.
I would also think that people should know that if they want an SUV that they can do some harsh 4-wheeling with, they shouldn't spend their money on a luxury vehicle. Go get yourself an off-road Ford or Chevy that you won't mind getting all scratched up, and that you don't really care how it handles on the highway.

I almost purchased a used RX300 a month or so ago, but couldn't bring myself to do it once I compared prices and features to a new MDX.
I just placed my order today, but have been researching and talking to MDX owners for quite a while, which convinced me that this is the vehicle for me. I'll get mine in June, and don't have a problem with the wait. (Quality SUV's are pretty popular in Minnesota!) I also don't feel that the extras are that bad. I added the entire gold package, rear splash guards and floor mats for just over $500, for a total price of around $35,300. Compared to the RX300, I thought it was a steal!
The navigation and touring package for me are not neccessary, so I won't really miss anything. The feature I would have had to add was the CD player, had it not been standard. The 6-CD changer would be nice, but again, not something I'll really miss.
My husband is 6'2 and about 210 lbs and thought the ride was excellent. This will however, be my vehicle, so I was most concerned with how I felt. I love it!!! This will be my very own first SUV! Love being "up higher" and being able to see better. (I now drive a Honda Accord coupe and am tired of being the little guy on the road.) The ride is smooth and the V6 makes for easy passing and offramp acceleration.
Being that I have not taken possession of my MDX yet, I guess I'm not able to give my "real-owner" report. I'll update you as soon as I get it.
I can say that I have researched the MDX, RX300, ML320 and the BMW X5 extensively and found that I kept coming back to the MDX...mainly for the features that are standard, the smooth ride, and the reputation of the Honda corp.
By the way, my dealer in White Bear Lake has been awesome and very helpful, he even gave me the internet pricing for the options I chose (the dealers were higher).

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Lexus RX300: Loved the vehicle, hated the pricing! I wanted the extras, but had to look at a '99 to get the options I wanted at the price I wanted to pay.
Ford Explorer: Much roomer and much more luxurious!
Ford Expedition: NO comparison. The Expedition feels like you're driving a tank!
Montero: Looks much better these days with the new body styling, but doesn't compare to the quality of Honda. I felt the MDX ride was a lot smoother and interior better looking, compared to the Montero.

You get the whole shebang for that price. Quality of acuras (I own a 96 2.5TL)

Exterior styling kinda boring. They don't offer side bumper guards. I'll be seing you WAY on the other end of the parking lot FAR from the other cars!

I have not bought an MDX but I'm saving my pennies and will do so in September 2001. I wanted and SUV with a sun/moonroof, 4wd/AWD, and auto climate control. My current 96 Acura TL 2.5 is a NICE car. I didn't want to step down in luxury yet $34k is at the far end of my limit. That narrowed me down to the Highlander and MDX. The highlander is smaller which makes it easier to handle. There also seemed to be fewer blind spots. It's also very stylish. But the one I wanted had the same price tag as the MDX. MDX was just as nice, had a third row fold down seat, seven speaker system including subwoofer, climate control/air for second row passengers and a trip computer. MDX simply doesn't nickel and dime you to death like Highlander. That's how I felt when purchasing my 96 Acura too.

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Toyota Highlander (they are selling them for the same price fully equipped and it's still less feature laden than the MDX--and smaller too)

Size, style, rims, interior, exterior overall look and HorsePower!

nothing to list as I'm satisfied fully.

Overall, I am very impressed with it. It's still a looker when you drive it. I've encountered countless people staring at it. Performance wise, it kicks! At 240 HP, it does move! I've raced against Mercedes SUV, a BMW X5, Ford Explorer, Isuze Rodeo, Suzuki XL-7 and a LEXUS, all except BMW came close. Of course BMW has german engineering behind them. Interior is what you expect from a high end Acura, very nice, comfortable seats, roomy, peripheral vision is stupendous! Gauges are easily read and accessible, night time viewing of gauges are great, (ongoing lookers can't help but admire the BLUE display on my navigational instrumentation)
Overall, outside great desigm, not too long and bulky and can seat 7 comfortably! overall... 8 of 10.

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BMW - if I had the money, I'd buy one, but the next luxury/sports SUV is Acura.
Mercedes - Very disappointing, just a BIG BOX with a Mercedes emblem on it.
Ford - I think we know where Ford stands... in the gutter.
Isuzu - not bad... but very low on HorsePower.
Lexus - Immediately wasn't impressed. Didn't have to sit in it to decide it.

Lots of interior room compared to others. Plenty of power (240 horse). Very good handling. Great ergo. Built quality (solid and functional through out).

Some wind noises above 70 (sounds like a common problem for all SUVs). Trip computer screen might washed out in certain sunlight conditions. Poor mileage, only 17 mpg for both city and hwy driving combined. No rear window for lift gate (have to open gate for rear access). And most important of all, NO bodystripe molding to prevent door dings and they didn't have white as a color choice (strange ...)

I have been driving this vehicle for 5 weeks now, and it has lived up to all my expectations. I actually liked the exterior styling, sharp-nosed, wide-stance look works for me (the box-cabin, square-nose looks of 4Runner, QX4/Pathfinder, Explorer of the world are too common these days).

The major reasons I bought the vehicle, however, are power and handling, interior room, built quality, ergonomics, and resale value. This vehicle has plenty of zip on the freeway for passing situations (60 to 80) and the quiet engine is mated to a silky smooth transmission. It handled like a luxury car and tracked very well on highway. The MDX has more ususable interior space than any other mid-size, and even some large-size, SUVs out there. The split third-row seat can be neatly fold down into the cargo area with one hand (even my wife said so). The split second row seats can even be reclined for long trips. And there is more convenient cupholders than you would ever need. My nieces loved playing their Gameboy in the back on our recent trip to the beach. Built quality is evidented every times I touched a button or turn a knob or close the door. The interior is quiet and serene. No squeaks, cracks, or thumping noises (aka 4Runner, Explorer, Navigator). Ergo is superb. Everything is within reach and well thought-out. As for resale value, I will have to wait and see, but if Acura resales are any indications, I think I am pretty confident.

Overall, I loved this vehicle so far. I truly enjoyed driving it on my daily commute to work. I would definitely recommended it to anybody looking for a luxury mid-size SUV. Would rate 5 stars, except for weaknesses below. So, 4 1/2 stars it is ..

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Tested drove X5, QX4, RX300, and Highlander just for the heck of it.
X5 is superb in performance and handling, in its own class here. Very goo
d ergo. Small cargo area. High price, about $10K more. Good dealership.
QX4 feels too much like a Pathfinder to justify the price, around $34K. Lots of standard features however. Lots of oomph, 240 horses also. Adequate cargo area. Woefull rear leg and hip rooms.
Highlander is just a rip-off, options listed like a rap sheet. Bad dealership. Too high a price for just a decent ride. Might as well get the RX300.
RX300 is the only competition to MDX in my book. Luxurious looks and feel. Smooth engine and power trans, would like more power though. Well built. Cabin is like a luxury sedan, a little more quiet than even the MDX. Great dealership, even when I told them I was just test driving it. The only negatives were small cargo area w/o 7 passenger seatings and weird ergo (the whole console need to be redesigned along with cupholders). It was a tough choice between the MDX and RX300 (my wife loved the RX). We finally got the MDX because of needs for interior room. I said it was 55 for MDX and 45 for RX, it was that closed ...

Good looking, powerful, roomy,stable, handles well,good accessories

Gas hog,needs side molding to protect from people opening their car doors,back window too short and it makes it hard to see vehicles behind you,weak amplifier when the windows are open,front right mirror leaks for days after a car wash and leaves a streak and Honda says there is no fix

Great vehicle,lots of space, fabulous in the snow (I couldn"t skid out by really trying in the snow at Alta skiing in Utah) this winter.Well designed interior. Love the styling.

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Large cargo area; Third row seats option; Gas Mileage; Ride comfort, handling and acceleration; Dual A/C; Tether Hooks and Middle Seat shoulder harness; Large side-view mirrors

"Upgraded" Stereo that came with the Touring package - not very impressive; Not much range on the tilt steering wheel; No Auto Headlights; Gearshift - still can't get used to it. I struggle putting it in park; Accessory Prices - too high; I've noticed the wind noise that others have mentioned but, to be honest, it really hasn't bothered me much.

Overall, I'm very pleased with the MDX. I've listed a number of weaknesses but, in my mind, the strengths more than over-shadow them. In my short time with the vehicle I have gone on a 600 mile trip and also have done my normal day to day commuting. The Gas mileage is the first thing that has impressd me. It's listed at 17/23 but (if the Trip Computer is to be believed) I averaged 23 + on my trip and am averaging 19 in my daily commuting. I (along with my family) was also very comfortable during the 10 hours of driving on our trip. We had room to spare in the cargo area and we had the comfort of knowing that our kid's car seat was in the middle of the second row secured with a shoulder harness and anchored with a tether strap.

The Stereo is probably my biggest disappoinment. Not that it's bad, it's just that my expectations were high.

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It's my first SUV. I was also looking at a Lexus RX300 but liked the MDX's Cargo space and optional third row seats.

power styling acceleratin plus everything

weak upgraded stereo

Awesome power styling and luxury!!!!

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Power, handling, build quality, styling, size

Nothing that would make me change my decision

This is the best vehicle I have owned. This is a quantum leap over the chevy blazer I owned. It handles great, excellent power, no squeaks or rattles, luxury interior, great ergonomics, etc. I highly recommend this to anybody who can afford it. You will not be disappointed.

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This beats the BMW, Lexus, MB which I roadtested and researched.

gas mileage power

none

very good needs cheaper options!

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