MellonC00

Have we been usurped? Some of the reviews coming out on this car seems truly awesome. Great handling and now finally an OK ride comfort (not a strong suit for Acura). Acura and Honda always had the noisy power steering belt but that, I understand, is gone now due to electric steering system. Ditto for the NVH with more sound deadening (always associated with Acura vehicles). Looks wise, it's a derivative design carried over from a long ago. but I give them credit for not doing the Predator jaw look in the front grill. But the infotainment system isn't better than what we have.

Here is what I don't get. this car has 1.3kwh battery, yet has an EPA rating of 27mpg??? No PSD either. Just an MG1 hooked up via a wet clutch mated to a 7 speed DSG well known for its low speed jerkiness. How do they do that? is there a hidden KERS somewhere???

NateJG

Predator jaw look (chuckle)

Sulu

Looking at one number (27 mpg in this case) for the Hybrid means nothing. You have to compare it to number for the normal non-hybrid model. Here is what I found on fueleconomy.gov:

MDX: improved from 21 mpg (combined EPA fuel economy rating) for MDX AWD to 27 mpg for MDX Hybrid AWD, for a 28.5% improvement
RX: improved from 22 mpg (combined EPA fuel economy rating) for RX AWD to 30 mpg for RX Hybrid AWD, for a 36.4% improvement

So, the RX 450h (with the 2-electric motor PSD Lexus Hybrid Drive) has a better improvement compared to the non-hybrid RX 350.

One other thing to remember: The EPA's fuel economy test methodology favours hybrid vehicles more than non-hybrid vehicles

Fizzboy7

The standard MDX already had plenty of power and no one was complaining it was slow. The hybrid should have focused more on higher efficiency (27 highway is not that great). The main role of a vehicle such as this is family-hauling. I feel Acura missed the point, but I'm jazzed they finally removed the large piece of road debris that was clogging the grille.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Don't forget it has MGR since the hybrid only comes in AWD. It's quite impressive that a three-row hybrid is capable of doing 0-60mph in low to mid 6 seconds.

coolsaber

Great idea to lease this, but a no bueno for buying. First year vehicle at least powertrain wise. The transmission would be a strict point of concern. (and yes its a honda in house design in comparision to the awful ZF 9 speed, but still honda transmissions are not a strong suite)

MellonC00

Well. I found out that there is MG2 and MG3 coupled together in the rear axel. The reason why it doesn't use bigger batteries is because mg2 can actually generate electricity when MG1 is accelerating. In other words the battery doesn't alwAys to store the power.

chromedome

So this is more a power hybrid than a frugal one like a Camry or Avalon hybrid of ES300h. I'm surprised they didn't use Honda's 2-motor system like on the Accord. That drivetrain hooks up the engine to a final drive without an intervening PSD or automatic transmission, with MG2 doing most of the work at low and medium speed.

GS69

A family member just bought a 2017 Acura MDX Hybrid advance to replace their GX460. Overall, I think that it is a very nice car and the hybrid system only costing $1,500 more seemed like a really good deal. I like how it can be RWD, FWD or AWD depending upon the situation. So far only minor gripes like I wish the infotainment system was upgraded to Android Auto like the 2018 TLX. A little concerned with it being a 1st year model but the 3rd generation MDX has been around for 4 years and the sport hybrid system has been in the RLX for 3 years/NSX 1 year so hopefully any major kinks have been worked out. With all accessories, the sticker was ~$65,000 and we got around ~$3,800 off. This is 1 of Acura's best strengths: bang for the buck. Yes, part of the tradeoff for the cost savings is a weaker badge in the luxury game but the overall package is very competitive among the big players.

We looked at the 2017 GX460 Luxury with the Sport Design Package. It was ~$71,000 and they had a manager's special marked down to ~$65,000 which made it very tempting but not enough to purchase. We liked how high up the seating was and the ride was nice in comfort mode for an actual SUV. I was a bit disappointed by the amount of hard plastics in the cabin for a vehicle in this price range. Considering that they are coming off 3 Lexus in a row, I am surprised that they jumped ship to Acura.

The GLE350 was also in consideration and was probably the most aesthetically appeasing of the group. However, the $75,000 price tag that included fake leather was a turn off, even with the $5,000 discount they were offering. I realize that MB has a bigger name and we were willing to pay more for it (we also have a MB in the garage) but it was not that much better than the MDX.

The X5 was also in the mix but we did not spend much time on it as it was nice but 4th in line for consideration. We passed on the Q7 and QX60 altogether.

JDR76

If I were going to buy an MDX, I feel like the Sport Hybrid is a no brainer. You get a lot more for only $1500. Smart packaging here.

yardie876

$66k sticker? I can barely touch $60 with the online configurator.

LexBob2

C&D recently tested the MDX Hybrid and their tester stickered at $59k well equipped.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...id-test-review

GS69

That should have been the out the door price, meaning tax, tags etc etc. It was ~$65k with all the accessories and all of the other fun stuff that gets added on when you buy (before discounts).

Wandl

If Lexus would come out with a V6 competitor to the MDX, the RX350L and RX450hL can't come fast enough...the closest that comes to this in the Toyota/Lexus family is the Highlander Hybrid (tops out just north of $55k) which has a refined hybrid powertrain but still not a "luxury" vehicle...

MellonC00

I'm still a bit suspect on the mpg figures. My gen 3 RX hybrid boasts 30 city and 28 highway. But I've always been around 25 mpg (I live in hilly terrain, which does not help) So, I want to see more real world mpg figures as more people buy it.