Last I checked, the global R&D chief of Honda doesn't work for PR. Also, their headquarters are in Torrance, CA.

 

Regardless of where its designed, it still has a very Japanese look and feel to it

 

Now I’m curious. I would be highly suspect that any of the engines used by Acura are designed and engineered in US.

I know the 2020 RLX was built in Japan. RDX is made in China as well.

The Acura brand global headquarters is still in Japan inside the Honda building.

 

I see a tad bit of the S2000 influence in the RPM gauge sweeping across the top there. Very nicely done!

 

Had no idea there was a 2000 influence. Gonna look now thanks

 

As I posted above, I am currently on my fifth MDX. With the third and fourth I "decided" to change but there was sufficient improvements to keep me. I have always had the opinion that the MDX was premium, not luxury. This looks very good, both styling and interior. In the prototype announcement they talked about increasing luxury (they did not have real wood interior accents until 2017), including massage seats, etc. Interested to see if Acura really makes it to luxury.

My current lease is up March 2023, so early buyers should be out of the way, and the bugs worked out, so we shall see when it is time to make a decision.

 

Looks good in and out, love the digital gauge cluster.

 

the 2nd gen MDX was definitely 'luxury' but they didn't care to keep that up for the 3rd gen

 

Lexus better step it up with the RX , this MDX is looking good to me . I think Acura is starting to look good the more I look at them.

 

This MDX hits all the notes for an fun family hauler.... looking forward to the Type S too. RX has been put on notice, again

 

Is it $10,000-$15,000 better than a Pallisade/Telluride?

 

Depends on whether the pallisade and telluride have any market adjustments.

 

We'll see. I believe they are strong competitors. I was going to consider them in March, but they are still selling with little to no discount from MSRP. As I posted above, in March with incentives the net Capital Cost in my Advance lease was $48,600 on a MSRP of $59,275. The $48,600 was about what I was seeing for the Palisade Limited AWD, with very limited inventory.

 

The Type-S powertrain is probably worth it. The 3.8L V6 in the Palisade/Telluride twins is barely adequate despite them doing most other things well.

 

I would say calling it "barely adequate" is a bit extreme. As it's basically the same as everyone else in that mainstream segment. Now will it satisfy a luxury buyer coming from a turbo Q7 or the like? No, but I don't see a lot of movement that way.

The Type S is going to be more than $15K over the Palisade/Telluride, MSRP to MSRP.