23 Votes

Boost it!

REVIEW: New Acura MDX OUT-GUNS Porsche Cayenne?

Agent001 submitted on 8/31/2006 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 10:32:10 PM

33 user comments | Category: Reviews | Source: | SOURCE: www.caranddriver.com

This seems EXTREMELY hard to believe but this is what Car and Driver is saying.

..

How did it do? Beautifully, honestly, trouncing the Volvo, out-gunning the fat Cayenne and nearly matching the X5 in the fun-to-drive arena. Most telling was its behavior in transitory moves under full throttle. That’s when Acura’s sophisticated, full-time Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system—which varies torque distribution not only from front to rear, but from one rear wheel to the other, depending on traction conditions—showed off its talents most clearly. With the MDX’s optional active dampers calming body motions, it felt as if the hand of God was cupped on the rear bumper, scooting the car through every curve. There was never any sort of compromise of stability or traction. Just confident, high-speed, high-thrill curve carving. Brilliant.

Thanks to Kart1 for the tip



Read Article

REVIEW: New Acura MDX OUT-GUNS Porsche Cayenne?

About the Author

Agent001

FWD Torque Steer. Absolute proof the Devil exists.

— Agent001 (View Profile)


User Comments

chewy

The are talking about the Cayenne with the V6, the one with 250 hp. That engine will be upgraded to 280 hp 3.6 liter V6 very soon.

— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 8/31/2006 10:37:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

kart1

I guess we will see then who is faster. However the MDX is stated to have 300hp and 270 torque. So it still will be more powerful, unless Porsche retunes the engine. Will the Cayenne weigh more than the MDX?

— kart1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/31/2006 10:52:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

kart1

BTW, 001 your title is going to attract more people. Mine was too conservative.

— kart1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/31/2006 10:55:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

answer

I'm sure someone will say that Acura stole the physical phoenomenon of acceleration from the Germans.

Happy 20th birthday Acura! Sounds like the MDX is going to be a nice thing to celebrate with.

— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 8/31/2006 11:13:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

kart1

Will: Won't be long

— kart1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/31/2006 11:15:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Matthew1

Personally, I wouldn't trust an American magazine to tell me what car handles better.

And when a Cayenne Turbo achieves the same lap time as a Mitsubishi Evo 8 around a demanding race track, I wouldn't be quick to dismiss the Cayenne's capabilities. Although I do agree the V6 is a poor match when combined with the Cayenne's huge mass.

— Matthew1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/31/2006 11:32:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

speedracer54

What does the fact that its an american magazine have to do with anything Mathew?

— speedracer54 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/31/2006 11:39:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Matthew1

American's arent used to cars that handle well :)

— Matthew1 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/1/2006 12:00:50 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

sulev

First of all, C&D has been a long 'unofficial' spoke-magazine for Honda and Acura brand (you may want to add BMW for it). Therefore, it’s not surprising news. However, for this particular news I think it holds some degree of truth in it.

The Cheyenne V6, unlike the Cheyenne S turbo, has not been receiving a very good review since it was introduced many years ago. It’s been reported that the V6 engine planted in the Cheyenne was marginal compare to its brother turbo. I’m sure the ride will be affected by this. I guess the hefty 30 large differences in the price tag explain this justice.

Secondly, the new MDX boosts some advance gadgets not only under the hood, or in the cockpit, but also on the drive-train. The SH-AWD has some recognitions and good reviews from various magazines (not only from C&D). Since this car is a new comer, the new MDX has to make it to the top spot. If not, Acura engineers have a lot to answer from their top managements.

Third of all, C&D is comparing the new MDX with (I believe) the old X5. X5 has been the benchmark for SUV’s around the world. Sadly, even the C&D stated and I quoted “and nearly matching the X5 in the fun-to-drive arena”. It means Acura has done something right. I guess, even the old X5 still has a bit of punch from it.

— sulev (View Profile)

Posted on 9/1/2006 12:45:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

SimonS

The new x5 will be a 4.8...the 4.4 is the current 2006 model...you cant brag about matching up to a bmw when the new one hits showrooms this week! Reminds me of when Ford compared the GT to the Ferrari 360 when the 430 was about to come out...

— SimonS (View Profile)

Posted on 9/1/2006 1:11:40 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

kart1

Yeah and the Acura has a V-6, so this comparison isn't be fair. Will there be a V-6 for the X5, because that will be a more even comparison.

— kart1 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/1/2006 1:33:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

BimmerFan

BMW does not use a V6, kart1. STRAIGHT 6's....God love'em!

— BimmerFan (View Profile)

Posted on 9/1/2006 3:00:57 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

BMW530i

Both are heavy porky SUV's. I could care less about who is faster. The idea of a performance SUV IMO is totally absurd. If I want a fast good-handling car, I'll buy a sports car or a sports sedan, not an SUV.

— BMW530i (View Profile)

Posted on 9/1/2006 5:10:43 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS

LOVE IT
WILL GET IT

BMW530i
I totally understand what you mean about the "Perfromance SUV" idea, however if i am forced to drive an SUV in the Winter or Very Wet months of the year, then i want an SUV that has the On Road Manners of a Performance Estate while giving me the Clearance/SureFootedness of A Proper Off Roader.

In my opinion the only SUVs that can Match those requirements are the ( And i list in Order of Performance ):
1) Porsche Cayenne Turbo S
2) BMW X5 4.8is (Current Model)
3) Range Rover Sport Supercharged
4) Range Rover Supercharged (Not too keen on this one but it looks the Bollocks:)

— I95SPEEDINGTICKETS (View Profile)

Posted on 9/1/2006 9:49:00 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS

Oh Yeah
The "WILL GET IT" comment was about the X5

— I95SPEEDINGTICKETS (View Profile)

Posted on 9/1/2006 9:50:18 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS

Toughy
I am sure he and others are refering to the X5's On Road Handling and Driving Character

— I95SPEEDINGTICKETS (View Profile)

Posted on 9/1/2006 11:16:32 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

vdiv

Uhm, the X5 is not an SUV, remember? It is a class of its own. The more I think about it, the more sense it makes when BMW sales folks tell you that BMW is not for everyone.

What I like about the current MDX is the utility. It towes 5000 pound trailers like they are feathers. The new one appears to have a better integrated exterior, but it still lacks imagination and spirit.

— vdiv (View Profile)

Posted on 9/1/2006 12:53:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Rupert

the x5 will get a 3.0 straight six (from the 5 series) in europe definitely. also there will be a TT diesel (a la 535d).
not sure about a 335i configuration though.

— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 9/1/2006 2:15:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

kart1

Thanks BimmerFan, I knew that BMW's don't use V engines in their 6-cylinders - it just slipped my mind. Will the I6 in the BMW be the 3.0 TT or the 3.0 NA. Because if they use the 3.0si version it will be no match for the MDX in the power games.

— kart1 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/1/2006 4:53:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

chewy

CommonSense

Wow, lets not get overboard. The 20 inches of snow will completely cover the dubs on the Infinity. I doubt the FX 35 can handle more than 5 inches of snow. I also don't think that even the real Hummer will easily handle 20 inches of snow.

— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 9/1/2006 9:37:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

huu76

SH-AWD. That's cool, didn't know it came with it.

Chewy,
The MDX still outpowers the Cayennne, new or old engine.
If the new MDX is geared towards performance (sort of an oxymoron for an SUV), that would be an unexpected twist.

???
BMW does not equat to benchmark. The X5 isn't even a real SUV.

Mathew,
Cayenne and MDX are equally matched w/ V6 engines. MDX wins, deal with it. I'm sure the V8 will beat the MDX.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/1/2006 9:44:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

dualexhaust

so the rav 4 can kill the x3. 270hp

— dualexhaust (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2006 1:15:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS

CommonSense
While i have a good deal of Respect for the FX45, you would be Deluding yourself if you thought it had a chance against the Current 4.4L BMW (Not to mention the 4.8is & Cayenne Turbo S mentioned in my previous post)

I dont live my life by stats, I do my best to drive Everything i come across and i have raced the FX45 in Atlanta Ga while driving the 4.4L BMW, the year was 2004, the season SUMMER and i thrashed it on the I-285 west over a distance exceeding 50 Miles ( Don't think the other Driver was not up to the job either because he is my good friend and arguably a better driver than myself )

— I95SPEEDINGTICKETS (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2006 3:20:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS

Chewy
I cannot comment on the snow Plowing abilities of the FX however i can Honestly tell you that if the H1 has problems driving througj 20in Snow it will be considered Useless.

The LX470 Lexus literally dominated the Snow in Amityville Long Island during the Winter Months sometimes in snow higher than 20in

— I95SPEEDINGTICKETS (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2006 3:27:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Add your Comments

Images hosted in your AgentSpace can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters): [img]IMAGE URL[/img]
Example: [img]http://agent001.myautospies.com/images/sample.jpg[/img]