2011 Acura MDX SH-AWD w/Tech

The Acura brand is typically the purveyor of sensible luxury cars with strong value and copious features. You buy an Acura because it's reliable and well-made; ultimate brand cachet isn't as important. That mindset also applies to the 2011 Acura MDX, but in this case the MDX also happens to be one of the most luxurious and fun-to-drive midsize luxury crossover SUVs in its class. Much of the fun-to-drive quality relates to Acura's so-called "Super Handling" all-wheel-drive system (SH-AWD). By proportioning power automatically to the outside wheels during cornering, the system helps make the MDX feel more agile and happier in the corners. Finally, well-controlled body roll and communicative steering contribute to a responsive crossover that drives much smaller than it is. Inside, the MDX has a cabin that matches Acura's RL flagship for quality and certainly all of its similarly priced SUV competitors. Wood trim, soft-touch materials and high-quality switchgear create a luxurious ambience. As for features, even the base MDX comes with a wealth of standard equipment, and the three available option packages up the luxury and convenience quotient even further. If there's any point of contention, it's that the center stack is awash with buttons, though they prove to be intuitive once you know where everything is. For the money, the 2011 Acura MDX makes a lot of sense! Standard equipment includes 18-inch wheels, automatic xenon headlamps, foglamps, a power liftgate, a sunroof, privacy glass, heated eight-way power front seats, two-way adjustable driver lumbar, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, leather upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth and an eight-speaker sound system with six-CD changer, auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio. The Technology package adds a multiview parking camera, GPS-linked and solar-sensing climate control, upgraded leather upholstery, a navigation system, real-time traffic and weather, voice controls and a 10-speaker Acura/ELS surround-sound audio system with digital music storage and an iPod/USB audio interface. Standard safety equipment for the 2011 Acura MDX includes antilock disc brakes with brake assist, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, active front head restraints and stability control with a stabilizing feature for trailer towing. The optional CMBS, by monitoring following distance and rate of closure, alerts the driver if a collision seems probable via visual and auditory warnings. If a collision is imminent, the system can automatically apply hard braking and cinch up the front seatbelts.