Honda Acura Safety

2011 Acura MDX: Precision engineering meets luxury SUV

The 2011 Acura MDX is the latest version of Honda/Acura’s most deluxe SUV. The model received a major revamp in 2010, so 2011 changes are under-the-skin. A key item is the excellent six-speed automatic transmission. The MDX is loaded with high-tech safety, information, and entertainment features. The scope of the features exceeded our one-week exposure. The Acura MDX is a mechanical and electronic marvel.

Walkaround: Maybe it’s just us, but we preferred the more conservative Acura styling cues before the grilles got so aggressive. The large expanse of chrome and scoops is a little too much for us. In general, Acuras tend to be stylish in an understated way. We think this helps keeps older models looking fresh and it aids resale values.

Wheel arches have also gotten more aggressive on many SUVs including the Acura MDX. The MDX is relatively tame, which we like. Overall, the styling of the MDX is handsome and the fit and finish are top notch, as is expected of Acura products.

The MDX isn’t a petite SUV, but then big has become the norm for most SUVs. The MDX avoids to behemoth category and its superior chassis makes it drive and handle like a smaller SUV.

Interior: Acura interiors have always been a strong point and the 2011 MDX is no exception. The blending of quality materials and finishes makes the MDX interior seem as much like a modern luxury penthouse as a multi-purpose car/truck interior.

Our fully loaded MDX had heated and cooled front seats plus powder lumbar adjustment for the driver. These great seats add so much pleasure to long distance driving. Our MDX also had heated outboard rear seats, which is a nice touch for winter passengers.

Storage space/bins/etc. is very good. Cargo capacity is versatile and spacious when the rear seats are folded down.

Our test MDX had the full compliment of high tech entertainment and information systems. If younger passengers can’t be sufficiently entertained in this state-of-the-art environment they need a parental reminder of the “old days” when lucky children had their own Etch-A-Sketch for backseat diversion. A box of crayons and newsprint tablets sufficed in our family’s vintage station wagon.

2012 Acura ZDX - Safety - Honda.com

OVERVIEW

The 2012 ZDX continues Acura's tradition of advancing passive safety feature content to achieve a high level of crash worthiness as well as is targeted to receive top safety ratings in its class. The story begins with the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, a technology designed to manage and disperse frontal collision forces to better protect the passenger cabin and improve car-to-car collision safety. Inside, standard passive-safety features include front seat belts with automatic tensioning system with load limiters, dual-stage, multiple-threshold airbags, front-seat side airbags, active front head restraints, knee bolsters for the driver and front passenger, and side curtain airbags for front and outboard rear passengers. The Acura ZDX with Advance Package also gets Acura's innovative Collision Mitigating Braking System™ (CMBS™).

VOLUNTARY IMPROVEMENTS

As the popularity soared for light trucks (including pickups, crossover vehicles and SUVs) in the last decade, so did the risk of such large vehicles colliding head-on with smaller ones. In light of this risk, engineers of the Acura ZDX designed a front structure that helps minimize the likelihood of over-ride or submarining in frontal collisions between vehicles of disparate size.

Pedestrian Safety

The Acura ZDX makes pedestrian safety a high priority, and adopts several pedestrian-safety measures that U.S. law does not require. For example, the ZDX hood frame and aluminum hood panel are designed to help protect pedestrians by deforming over a broad area to absorb collision energy. In addition, the hood hinges are designed to bend and the windshield wiper pivots also feature a breakaway design to help reduce injury in the event that a collision with a pedestrian should occur.

Dynamic Rollover

Another target that Acura designers felt strongly about was the ZDX's ability to withstand a rollover with the panoramic glass roof frame maintained, no fuel system damage, and no tailgate or tailgate door-opening damage. Though not required or regulated by the government, the high-strength steel safety cage provides the stiffness that allows the ZDX to better withstand rollover forces.

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