2007 Acura MDX

2007 Acura MDX - Acura’s new MDX has broken out of the pseudo-truck box and into fresh territory. It combines the control-tower outlook of an SUV with the interior space of a three-row wagon and the chassis muscles of a sporting sedan.

But no, this is a much taller machine than it drives, so much so that our feet hit the pavement like dropped potatoes on the first few exits. The roofline, at 68.2, is about 10 inches taller than the typical full-size sedan.

Acura credits several miracle ingredients for the superb handling. All MDXs have what’s called Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, a clever system of varying the driving inputs to each wheel according to computer sensibilities. A dashboard icon lets you watch it in action. For handling on dry pavement, the system drives the outside rear wheel 1.7 percent faster than the front wheels. The effect here should be rather like the “stagger” used in circle-track racing, where a larger-diameter tire is fitted to the outside rear as a way of counteracting understeer.

The test car was equipped with the optional Sport and Entertainment package, which includes Acura’s take on “smart shocks,” another miracle ingredient, this one to control two things: suspension motions and also the dynamic forces into the tire contact patches.

These two miracle ingredients, along with standard-equipment traction control and stability control, are really invisible to the driver; the MDX simply goes where you point it, even at exceptional speeds.

Miracle ingredients for safety include pyrotechnic seatbelt pretensioners, side airbags in front, and curtain airbags with a rollover sensor.

Steering is moderately heavy, deliberate. Interior accommodations are thoughtful. The center front armrest is split down the middle to allow either occupant to access console storage without disturbing the other’s elbow. There’s also a private bin on the passenger side of the tunnel, concealed behind a tambour door.

The MDX has first-class seating for four, two in front and two in back. The second row has seat heaters and excellent foot space on a nearly flat floor. Second class starts with the center of row two, which, surprisingly, has a pleasingly flat cushion and very good headroom.

In a tape-measure comparison of the space behind the second row with a Cadillac SRX, a wagon of somewhat similar concept that we’ve rated highly, the MDX is longer by about an inch and wider by nine inches, a much larger space. The MDX won’t put the tall-box SUVs out of business, but for roaddriving, it sure puts them to shame.