Honda MDX - First look

Honda's new MDX is being marketed not as a generic bigger brother to the 2.4-litre CRV, or even a fresh-faced Pajero-sized contender.

No, the new MDX is quite a special piece of mechanically inclined kit, which will be facing off in the prestige 4WD market.

This means it won't be battling the Prados and Jackaroos and Sorrentos, despite having similar proportions. No, Honda has aimed high and Volvo, Mercedes and BMW are firmly in its sights...

Why is Honda trying to break into the luxury 4WD market? Easy - it's ripe for the picking.

At present, the luxury 4WD market is dominated by the BMW X5 and Mercedes M-class, while only one other non-European marque - Lexus - is part of the segment.

Now, the Lexus isn't cheap at $117,000, so Honda's luxury debutante, fetching less than 70 grand, will give the Euros something to think about, while undercutting the only other Nihon too.

Price will be Honda's biggest advantage over all others in the genre, and for $69,990 buyers get quite the deal.

Leather upholstery, 17-inch alloy wheels, climate control (front and rear), cruise control, CD stacker, power adjustable and heated front seats, power sunroof, seating for seven and a total of 10 cup holders, just in case you get really thirsty.

The MDX has seating for five in relative comfort - it is slightly bigger than its two closest competitors too, the Mercedes ML and BMW X5.

There's also two extra seats in the rear section that fold out of the floor, boosting capacity to seven, while still allowing for amounts of boot space thanks to their clever deployment.

Neither the BMW or Mercedes offer seating for seven as stadard, though for the Merc it's a cost extra.

Honda's first luxury sports utility vehicle features a slew of technical innovations designed to pique the interest of luxury buyers and technophiles alike.

For starters, it gets a proactive Variable Torque Management Four-Wheel Drive (VTM-4) system, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), fully-independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes with four channel ABS plus EBD and a drive-by-wire-throttle setup.

While looks aren't the most important aspect for buyers of luxury 4WDs, they do play a part.

The MDX has quite of a but going for it, with fairly angular styling that's worlds apart from the likes of Mercedes ML and Volvo's XC90.

In Honda speak: "Bold and muscular exterior styling sets the MDX apart from its competitors - chiseled lines, extensive glass areas and large halogen headlights give the MDX a clean and purposeful look."

Bold and muscular indeed, the MDX was styled to be aerodynamically sound - hence the raked front end - and with a drag co-efficient of 0.36 (good for a fat 4WD) it achieves this.

Lightly flared wheel arches frame interestingly styled 17-inch alloys (show with Michelin tyres for medium off-road duty), while the front end has an almost futuristic look, what with its sharp headlights and integrated foggies.

The rear end is good, with very un-Honda tail lights and a rear window that's gently rounded off at the top. It's subtle, but it works. Just to let you know its not packing a four-banger, the new Honda also gets a chrome-plated twin exhaust.

At the heart of the MDX is Honda's new 3.5-litre, 24-valve, V6 VTEC engine.

Honda's Variable Valve Timing and Electronic Lift Control (VTEC) valvetrain - first pioneered in the NSX sportscars - adjusts the timing, duration and lift of the intake valves according to engine speed.

With a two-stage intake manifold, VTEC offers a combination of high-rpm performance, fuel economy and swift low-rpm response.

The result is a healthy 191kW of power @ 5800rpm and 345Nm of torque at 3500rpm, which is fed to the wheels via Honda's proactive Variable Torque Management Four-Wheel Drive (VTM-4) system.

Power is delivered to the front two wheels the majority of the time, and - heaven forbid - if the driver decides to explore off the road, the transmission and engine management system transfers torque to the rear-wheels in anticipation of traction loss. Hence the proactive, rather than just reactive moniker.

At the same time, however, the MDX can be locked into a full-time 4WD mode, distancing it further from the smaller quasi-4WD CRV.

Technically speaking, the VTM-4 system consists of a pair of wet clutches in the rear differential that are computer controlled to maintain traction in a variety of conditions.

The system ensures torque is proactively delivered to the rear wheels in proportion to forward acceleration to supplement four-wheel drive.

Honda claims the MDX delivers an economical combined (city/highway) figure of 12.9 litres per 100km, which isn't too shabby for a 3.5-litre bent six.

The MDX also meets stringent Euro-3 Low Emission Vehicle standards, thanks to orifice-type fuel injectors and an exhaust system riddled with catalytic converters.

The MDX usesa 5-speed automatic transmission and with the assistance of Grade Logic Control, the MDX can anticipate driver throttle inputs to ensure seamless gear changes.

A smooth delivery of power is also ensured with Honda's new drive-by-wire Electronic Throttle Control System, or ETCS. ETCS eliminates the need for a mechanical connection between the accelerator and engine by controlling the throttle during gear shifts.

The MDX features Honda's Variable Assist Steering system, which regulates steering effort while providing exact control. Meanwhile, four-wheel, fully independent suspension provides precise handling and a smooth and compliant ride on a variety of surfaces. The suspension is tuned with damper valves to enable precise control of damping throughout the suspension movement.

While not quite up to the standards of its Germanic rivals, the MDX has seen a lot of attention in the safety department. The body was designed to deliver best-in-class collision performance; high tensile steel has been used throughout the MDX's unit body for its strength and lightweight qualities.

Furthermore, reinforcements in the rear wheel house, tailgate and rear subframe ensure the MDX has significantly high levels of torsional rigidity, which also improves handling characteristics.

The MDX comes with side airbags in addition to Honda's dual-stage, dual threshold front i-SRS airbags and all passengers benefit from 3-point seatbelts while front passenger seatbelts gain pretensioners with load-limiters.

Inside, the black leather MDX is luxuriously appointed while still incorporating Honda’s familiar design simplicity and functionality. Tasteful woodgrain trim, a 6-stack, 7-speaker CD sound system, cruise control with steering wheel controls, synchronised climate control systems, luxurious power-adjusted front leather seats and electric sunroof add to the luxury of the interior.

Honda Australia Director Lindsay Smalley said the MDX would provide a genuine luxury SUV alternative for customers who demand more than just a badge. And, while there will be a lot of buyers tempted by the impressive price-tag, therein lies the MDX's biggest hurdle - many buyers are after just that: The badge.

“The concept of spirited, agile performance is elegantly achieved with MDX,” he said.

“Its combination of smooth V6 power, precise and confident handling, advanced four-wheel drive system and luxury levels of comfort results in a truly involving driving experience. We believe MDX is the right package to establish Honda as a leading player in the Luxury Sport Utility segment.”

The Honda MDX is very much a cat amongst the pigeons. It offers everything that the European marques offer along with Honda's reputation for making a powerful and reliable powerplant, and at a price that will appeal to many. The MDX has been well received in the American market (we think its the abundance of cupholders), where it is badged as an Acura.

Speaking of which, while the top two vehicles in the segment are the BMW X5 and Mercedes ML-series, it should be noted that both are built in the US of A: German engineering yes, German assembly, no.

The fact that it has seating for seven is also another bonus, and let's not forget the three power outlets, either. And, while it may not have a badge orginating in the EU, the MDX will definitely shake up the now burgeoning luxury 4WD market, no doubt about that.

The Honda MDX is priced at $69,990 and is sale around Australia now.