DETROIT AUTO SHOW: Did Acura Score The Biggest Let Down Of The Show With The MDX Prototype?

Yes. Prototype? It looks like a mere mid-cycle refresh.

The bigger problem is EVERYTHING looks too much like the prior model. They really never cleanly break and move ahead.

Looks fine. At least it's not ugly.

SHOCKER: The Agents have coronated ANOTHER Acura as the "Biggest Letdown of the Show". Why? Because Acura called this a prototype? Come on, 009, we know you're not unintelligent. The new MDX has been traversing test tracks for almost 2 years now. Clearly, Acura already has its final version of the new MDX just waiting for introduction. Or have you not been paying attention to the very articles posted here? Oh, that's right, an Acura in camouflage gets a blip on the radar here. Yet a mid-cycle refresh of a BMW in camouflage makes 5 different headlines.
And, again, the Agents are basing final opinion on a Honda product just by looks. Do you truly have to be reminded that Honda/Acura has never made the most dynamically designed cars? Yet, 3 of Honda's cars were in the top 10 selling cars for 2012 (and most past years) and Acura is soundly besting Audi and Infiniti's sales. I'll bet anyone $1million ( if I had it ) that when the new X5 is introduced it's going to be greeted here with confetti and streamers, and maybe even a fireworks display, despite the fact that, based on spy shots, it won't look much different than the past two models.

"Do you not see all the misspellings and errors in this thread titles and post?" -

- Before you knock someone you should check your own sentences first. The one you have here is a mess.

I honestly was in shock when I saw this.

WHAT a letdown.

The Honda Urban Concept was more exciting than the flagship brand's offering.

001

And before the haters start posting that we hate Acura, know that I USED to be a TL OWNER (last gen).

Such potential...

001

I don't JUST buy on looks.

I don't care how good something drives if I don't like the look I won't spend MY money on it.

I would recommend it with the caveat that I don't personally like the look.

But LOOKS matter and I buy the right tool for the right job hence WHY I did NOT buy Rubicon.

And if you watched my video review of RAM I DID talk about the drive and that of all the pickups it's the DRIVERS choice.

001

"Such potential", per 001. Why? Based on design? Or based on driving experience? From all reviews, the new TL drives much better than any other previous generation, and, actually, drives as good as an Audi S4, per a published review.

You claim no bias, yet Acura is the only car company that continually gets smashed on this site by the Agents. Because of a grille? Well, 160,000 people last year looked past the grille, more than Audi and Infiniti. And it's not even just a criticism. It's outright denigration of a product because of styling alone. And it doesn't matter what you USED to be, 001. It's all about what you are NOW. Oh, and much to your chagrin, 001/009/00R, many other publications have much less negative things to say about Acura's designs, even with the original beak. And, actually, I was reading last night of several articles published calling this MDX design "handsome".

Maybe if you took a less subjective and personal perspective on things, reactions would be different. Ot at least approach it with a more balanced perspective.

Instead of quoting units sold, I bet if you looked at auto sales on a % of market share basis going five years back you'd understand our stance.

In addition, I'm going to wager that you don't know a damn thing about this business or how it works. Most of the ladies and gents in this industry speak the truth in the press room then write bullbird for their publication. But you sort of had to be there for the Infiniti QX56 launch to understand.

We just call it how we see it, always.

Worst grill in the industry. Please destroy the BEAK!

I like the Honda SUV concept better than this one. This one remind me of their first generation MDX forgot which year.

Well the last time I checked I'm still an American and free speech is still allowed (although that might change soon if things continue declining) and I DO own this site.

So YES, I can bash AND post ignorant comments should I choose.

And the good news for you is I actually allow comments like yours. ;)

But my feeling is MOST people agree with my opinion on this and the decline of Acura cachet over the last ten years is just plain fact.

Spies, please tell Mary about the Acura of today vs. 10 years ago.

Back then they were actually relevant.

Cheers!

001

I would also love 00J chime in here as he currently OWNS an MDX that he loves.

My guess is he expected more as well...

001

Wacura

Not ugly. Not exciting. Not interested. Just another generic Asian SUV.

I don't see what's so bad about it. It looks like a decent update of the Acura design language. If you like the way the current MDX looks, you'll like this. And if you didn't like the Darth Vader-ish look of the current MDX, you'll at least give it a look. The headlights are kind of ridiculous but I assume those won't make it into production. Otherwise, I don't have a problem with it.

Now I have picked on 009 enough time about i) the way he distorts title wording to get his political leaning across and ii) his escalation of Hyundai's greatness (at the expense of denigrating Toyota and Honda) so we clearly have our differences but I'm with 009 on this one. One may like or dislike the exterior design of this Acura but this cannot be considered to be a prototype. This is clearly not the typical groundbreaking or trend breaking "prototype" of car. It's more akin to the 2013 Accord vs the previous Accord, and that is not "prototype".

Did they really emblazon "design" on the side of this thing? Where is that so called design?

00R, units sold are units sold. The fact is, Acura has sold more units than Audi and Infiniti, which means they have a larger % of market share, with a more limited model range offering. Acura's market share may not be what it used to be. I'll give you that. But we're talking about today. A today where you tout designs AND driving experience by Audi and Infiniti and degrade Acura. Yet, despite your opinions of Acura's designs (note I only mention design and not driving experience since you, all the agents, never talk about that aspect) and how you love to state they are "dead in the water", they are doing better than those two other brands.

It's so funny how you always downplay "publications" when it's used to refute your perspective. But, when publications bolster your perspective, you lend tremendous credence to them.

"...It's so funny how you always downplay "publications" when it's used to refute your perspective. But, when publications bolster your perspective, you lend tremendous credence to them." Good point cidflekken

great look, it was already a nice looking SUV to begin with imo. I love the rear and Cayenne like spoiler and lights out back. LED headlights still seem hokey to me in their appearance, but a signature none the less... Interior being roomier will be nice for those using all three rows. I would drive one for sure, not a big departure from previous model obviously

The other thing I'll add is this: If you took away the badges on almost any Audi, most BMWs, maybe most MBs, and any Lexus, the designs of those cars would be or could be considered pretty darn mundane. Really no different than if Acuras didn't have "the beak".

Acura is in big trouble if this is the best they can do for a 'prototype' of there top of the line SUV. Sad. Boring. Has not presence, no clear identity that says; this is a great vehicle. Hard to do and Acura is not doing a good job these days. Other than the TL and TSX, the rest of the line, including the new RL, just not enticing at all. And they are going to want $60 large for this new RL,an invisible car. I hope they can survive.

trash

This could be MUCH worse. It's a lot better looking than the previous-gen MDX.

That rolled hump on the front fender is HIDEOUS. It reeks of wierd Hyundai and Kia look. If Acura thinks that copying the Koreans is the road to sales success, they best quickly retool their designs.

The MDX is a tiresome, long in the tooth unexceptional design.

Acura is well on its way to being extinct.