The MDX has been hailed as Motor Trend’s “Sport Utility Vehicle of the Year 2001,” and has been declared the winner of an SUV comparison test conducted by Car and Driver. The competition included the Mercedes ML 320, the Lexus RX300, the Infiniti QX4 and the BMW X5.

With such accolades from the national automotive press, it seemed this road test would be a pleasurable experience. It was better than that. The media car almost didn’t make it back to Acura.

The MDX is powered by a honey of a 3.5 liter, SOHC, 24-valve, 240 hp, V-6, VTEC engine. VTEC stands for variable valve timing and lift electronic control. All most people need to know is that it is a good thing and helps engine efficiency. In this particular car it helps the engine meet California’s ultra low emission vehicle standards, which are the next step up from a zero-emission vehicle.

The transmission is five-speed, smooth shifting and easy to live with. It feeds power into an all-wheel-drive system, which is front-wheel-drive until a front wheel slips, and then the rear wheels join the party. For extra difficult off-road conditions, a dash-mounted VTM (Variable Torque Management) switch locks the rear axle for additional traction when in first, second or reverse gear. This all-wheel-drive system is particularly good for slippery roads, and testers report it performs very well off-road — a place most of these SUVs never visit.

With 82 cubic feet of cargo space, the MDX bests the Isuzu Rodeo, Land Rover Discovery, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Lexus RX 300, BMW X5 and Mercedes ML320. It has seven seats, albeit the two at the back are best suited for smaller people or children. In true Japanese fashion, cup holders — eight in all — are plentiful.

Driving this fairly large vehicle is just like driving a sports sedan. The suspension is a nice compromise between stiff/harsh and soft/sloppy. It moves well on the freeway and on country roads.

Where many SUVs feel tippy around corners, especially bumpy ones, this machine goes smoothly and quickly, just like a sports sedan. Only when taken to the limit does it remind the driver of its higher center of gravity.

The MDX can go from 0 to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds, which is competitive with many V-8 powered SUVs and quicker than any other six-cylinder SUV sold in the United States except for the BMW X5, which it equals. This engine flattens hills and scoots by traffic without drawing a rapid breath.

A journey from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, in pouring, bouncing-off-the- pavement rain, and return to San Diego in rain, snow and wind, was accomplished without a tense moment. This SUV feels stable and confident in adverse conditions.

Detracting features include a clumsy, stiff, console-mounted automatic shifter. The trip computer could use an automatic day/night illumination adjustment (you can’t see the screen well enough to manually accomplish the touch screen change from day to night). Fan speed and climate control airflow direction are controlled by a driver-distracting touch screen.

Standard equipment includes moon roof, power door locks, windows, mirrors, heated leather seats, power driver seat, automatic temperature control, rear climate control with air and heat, third row of seats, garage door opener, keyless remote entry, rear privacy glass, front and side air bags, auto off head lamps, three power outlets, cruise control, trip computer, fog lights, all-wheel-drive, and anti-lock front and rear disc brakes. No two-wheel-drive model is available.

Acura offers four ways to buy this vehicle:

• The basic model with all of the above equipment for $34,370.
• The same model with an excellent navigation system for $36,370.
• A touring model with a power passenger seat, two-memory seat and mirror positions, a luggage rack, a Bose stereo system with cassette and six-disc changer in the dash, and special cast alloy wheels, for $36,970.
• And the touring model with a navigation system for $38,970.

EPA fuel consumption estimates are a reasonable 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway, but be aware that this engine demands premium gas. The test cycle indicated around 16.5 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.

This is an impressive vehicle, and considering the fully equipped basic model, an excellent value, relative to its competition. However, many dealers want $2,000 more than the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for one.

Eventually the pricing should return to normal, and believe me, it’s worth the wait. One of these will shortly join my family of cars.

The Acura dealers in the San Diego area are: Hoehn Acura of Carlsbad, Cush Acura of San Diego in Kearny Mesa and Escondido and Ball Acura in National City.

Motoring since 1952, Austin Lynas has owned 54 cars and at one time raced mini-sedans in England. An aerospace engineer, he was instrumental in developing the anti-skid systems used in British military aircraft that preceded today’s ABS systems. Lynas can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].