Hi to all. Sharing a post on my now second favorite vehicle site . . . .
Background
Since I enjoy lurking and reading posts on acuramdx.org and other sites, I am taking the time to share our thoughts on replacing our 2001 Acura MDX. We have thoroughly enjoyed the MDX since picking one up in its inaugural month -- October 25, 2000 and number 281. We have been Honda/Acura owners and currently have a 2005 Honda Odyssey to go with the MDX. With 3 kids under 9 years of age, our situation is a little different than 7 years ago (only 1 then), but our goal was to replace the 2001 MDX with an up-to-date newer model that took all of the great things we enjoy about our current MDX and improve on them -- safety, utility, good looks, luxury features (Nav, DVD, etc.), handling and performance. The 2001 MDX truly was ground breaking for a car based SUV with a third row and unmatched utility in a sporty package. Until very recently, the car based SUV options that could match the MDX was limited at best. It has taken the rest of the industry nearly 7 years to catch-up, and thankfully for consumers, there are some real options today. In researching replacements, the focus was on car based SUV’s and did not include minivans since we have the an excellent one already and did not want another. We looked at the following:
2007 Acura MDX
2007 Audi Q7
2007 BMW X5
2008 Buick Enclave
2008 Ford Taurus X
2007 GMC Acadia
2007 Lexus RX -- mainly to see a great interior in person
2007 Mazda CX-9
2007 Mercedes GL
2007 Saturn Outlook
2007 Volvo XC90
The Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander were not on the list because we knew them very well already, they are both being replaced shortly, and we wanted to see the rest of the field. 3rd row capability was important to us as the list highlights. The list boiled down to three -- The MDX, Enclave, and CX-9. The Q7, X5, and GL were top notch luxury as expected, but definitely not worth the $20k price premium in our estimation and not the best regardless of price. The Volvo felt dated already; the Ford a complete waste; Lexus to small, but a larger RX like an RXL with a third row would be tough to ignore since they are always very sharp; The other two GM triplets were well done, but we preferred the Enclave in virtually every way. A short snippet on the finalists.
Finalists
Acura MDX. The best driving machine amongst the finalists. Acura did an excellent job in updating the dash and the interior overall minor quibbles aside. Inside, the utility definitely took a step back in the name of styling and that was disappointing. The third row is dark with the short, cut off windows, and space in the back has been limited do to the sloping rear and speakers in the headliner. Interior noise is better than our 2001, but Honda/Acura has never been great at isolating NVH. Exterior, not a fan. The front shield has been much debated and discussed, the side profile is pedestrian, and the rear while looking ok copies the Audi a bit to much for my liking. The muscular lines of the TL would have translated to MDX and removed any the debate on looks. Too bad. The MDX is still an excellent package and all around performer, but it’s not head and shoulders better than the pack anymore.
Buick Enclave. First it’s a GM and Buick at that. Our last two GM vehicles were a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue (supposed import fighter at the time with well documented power steering rack issues) and a 1982 Olds Cutlass Supreme with a diesel engine. To say the least, our family has not had a positive experience with GM and we basically removed them from our shopping list after the diesel engine fiasco and how GM choose to handle it. For those not aware of GM’s 1980’s diesel engine nightmare, consider yourself lucky. I was a youngster then, but can vividly remember sitting on the side of the road when yet another diesel engine blew. To say it’s a big deal that a GM made the finals is an understatement for our family and highlights that GM has done something well and the imports have missed a trick -- namely size and an extremely well packaged interior space. Basically, there is not a more versatile SUV on the market. That extra size and versatility does have a price, handling/performance. But not as much as you might think. Out of the three, the Enclave is a clear third in handling/performance, but this is not a floaty Buick. Steering is precise and handling great for its size. Inside, that extra size is very well utilized. The dash is classic with a modern touch. The NAV reminds us of the awesome best-in-class touch screen Acura units from yester-year in an updated fashion. Dual sun roofs make the cabin feel even more airy and comfortable. Quiet beyond anything I have become accustomed to coming from Acura/Honda – impressive. Interior big miss -- No Bluetooth. Simply inexcusable given the competition and NO, Onstar is not an acceptable replacement. Exterior styling is athletic, well proportioned, and handles the extra length nicely. The big Buick logo on the front and back is over-the-top. A little restraint a la Acura/Lexus is in order given they are the target. Screams “I’m a Buick, aren’t you surprised” instead of expecting to be in the mix.
Mazda CX-9. The second best handling machine and not far behind the MDX at all. Once taking into account the extra size and lack of SH-AWD , the CX-9 has accomplished very similar performance. Kudos to Mazda. The exterior style was described by my significant other as the most station wagon-ish of the three due to the blended proportions. The styling is safer than the MDX and Enclave and will likely age well. The interior is not nearly as spacious as the outside dimensions suggest it should be. Similar in size to the Enclave and foot longer than the MDX, the space was adequate but not great packaging to say the least. The front seats are sandwiched by an oversized center console perhaps for a sport car like feel, but a bit to constrained for us. The interior materials and contrasting was our favorite of the bunch. In the tan leather interior, the CX-9 feels upscale and looks fantastic. The red gauges took some getting used to. From a product portfolio perspective, I really like what Mazda has been doing lately.
Verdict
In several initial reviews of the 2001 MDX, the tag “the swiss army knife of SUV’s” was applied (the tagline stolen from reviews of the 1999 Odyssey it was based on). Well, that tagline now best applies to the GM triplets and the Enclave specifically by best blending safety, utility, and style in a near luxury package -- just as the original MDX did better than anyone else for several years. We choose the 2008 Buick Enclave much to my surprise. We got past our bias (unfair or not depending on your perspective) and selected what we believe to be the best offering out there. The best part for all consumers is that the choices are improving, the choices are tougher, and competition is good.
I will still check in from time-to-time on acuramdx.org, but will obviously spend more time at a new home,
www.enclaveforum.net, for the short term and until Acura/Honda regains the title.
Purchased
2008 Buick Enclave CXL AWD, 8 Passenger
Exterior - Cocoa
Interior - Cashmere
All Options except the Trailer Towing Pkg
