The MDX at a glance

2009 ACURA MDX

TYPE: All-wheel-drive, five-door, seven-passenger, midsize SUV.

PRICE: $40,790 base, ($37,830 invoice), $46,590 as tested.

WHERE BUILT: Alliston, Ontario.

KEY RIVALS: Mercedes-Benz ML-Class; BMW X5; Lexus GX 470; Infiniti FX.

POWER: 3.7-liter, 24-valve aluminum alloy SOHC, 300-horsepower VTEC V6; five-speed auto transmission with sequential SportShift and Grade Logic Control.

FUEL ECONOMY: 15 city, 20 highway, 17 combined mpg; 21-gallon tank.

CHASSIS: Independent suspension with front strut, rear multi-link with trailing arms, front/rear stabilizer bars; power rack-and-pinion steering; power disc brakes with ABS, EBD, brake assist; 18-x-8-inch cast aluminum wheels; P255/55R18 104H M+S all-season tires.

LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT: 190.7 x 78.5 x 68.2 inches.

WHEELBASE X TRACK: 108.3 x 67.7/67.5 inches.

CURB WEIGHT: 4,579 pounds.

TOWING: 5,000 pounds.

STANDARD: Seven-passenger seating; 10-way power driver seat; eight-way power front passenger seat; electronic tilt and telescoping steering column; two-driver custom memory system; heated front seats; tri-zone automatic climate control system with air filtration and humidity control; 253-watt Acura Premium Sound System with AM/FM tuner, in-dash six-disc CD/MP3/WMA changer, XM satellite radio, auxiliary jack connectivity along with eight speakers; HomeLink remote control; multi-information display; maintenance minder; Bluetooth HandsFreeLink wireless telephone interface; auto dimming rearview mirror; front/side/head-curtain air bags with rollover sensor.

OPTIONS: Technology Package includes Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition and rearview camera, AcuraLink Satellite Communication System with real-time traffic, 410-watt, 10-speaker Acura/ELS Surround Premium Sound System with six-disc CD/DVD-Audio and DTS changer, AM/FM tuner, XM Satellite Radio, GPS-linked, solar-sensing, tri-zone, automatic climate-control system with air filtration and humidity control, power-operated rear tailgate ($4,050); Entertainment package includes DVD Rear Entertainment System with wireless headphones and remote control, 115-volt power outlet in center console, heated second-row outboard seats ($1,750).

(E-mail Richard Williamson at motorfriend(at)sbcglobal.net)