Now in the sixth year of its second generation, the 2012 Acura MDX is the flagship midsize crossover Sport Utility Vehicle in Honda’s luxury brand.

As the first crossover to offer third-row seating, it’s hard to view the modern MDX as a sibling of the Isuzu Trooper. But 12 years after its debut, the MDX (Multi-Dimensional Luxury) retains little resemblance to its long-gone utilitarian SUV beast of a relative. Instead, it’s firmly positioned as the top-rated vehicle in its segment.

The Weekly Driver Test Drive

While hugely popular, SUVs aren’t for everyone. But the Acura MDX could easily sway car owners whose buying preferences are solely geared toward gas mileage and other economic considerations.

But why would a solo owner or a small family buy the seven-passenger Acura MDX?

After my week’s test drive — an estimate combined 200 city and highway miles — it’s a simple equation. The Acura MDX is so comfortable and presents such a dynamic, confident ride, it’s just as much a luxury sedan as it is a three-row SUV. It may not be suited for extensive off-road use, but while not serving as a luxury vehicle, it’s a versatile SUV with plenty of cargo space and lots of leather and handsome trim.

All images © James Raia/2012″/>

The Acura’s qualities begin with a 3.7-liter, 300-horsepower V6 engine featuring a six-speed transmission with a sequential sportshift and paddle shifters. From there, the positives include a long list of standard features: all-wheel drive, anti-lock brakes, stability, traction control, active headrests, a multi-view rear camera as well a power moonroof and a power tailgate.

The Advance edition I drove also included the Exterior, Tech and Advance packages, which total a few-dozen additional features, most notably: adaptive cruise control, a blind-spot warning system, motorized DVD rear entertainment system with wireless headsets, heated second-row seats and leather seats and trim.Add it all up and what’s not to like? The MDX performed well in city and highway driving like few, if any, SUVs I’ve driving in nearly 10 years of weekly driver test drives.

Likes:

Confidence acceleration.

Smooth all-wheel drive system.

Accurately defined seven-passenger SUV.

Easy to maneuver, easy configure third-row seats.

Side view mirrors’ blind-spot warning system. It’s efficient but not shockingly overt.

Dislikes:

Cluttered dash features.

Gas mileage averages could be better.

Facts & Figures: 2012 Acura MDX

Specification	Details
MSRP	$54,455
As-Tested Price	$55,340
Horsepower	300
0-60 mph	7.0 seconds
Fuel Economy	16 mpg (city), 21 mpg (highway), 18 combined Government Safety Ratings: NTHSA (out of five stars), frontal crash: (driver), five stars; (passenger) four stars; Side Crash: (front seat), not rated; (rear seat), not rated; Rollover, four stars
Airbags	6
Warranty	Bumper to bumper, 4 years/50,000 miles; Powertrain, 6 years/70,000 miles; Corrosion: 12 years/unlimited mileage; Roadside Assistance, 4 years/unlimited mileage. What Others Say: “By combining manageable dimensions with 7-passenger capacity, a comfortable highway ride with responsive in-town handling and car-like construction with respectable off-pavement capability, the MDX has been one of our favorite SUVs since its introduction for the 2001 model year.” — Kelley Blue Book. “This premium SUV has contemporary styling and thoughtful features. MDX has a highly desirable blend of upscale appointments, performance, and convenience. Among its highlights are a strong and surefooted powertrain, good 1st- and 2nd-row seat comfort, and urbane cabin appointments.” — Consumer Guide. “When it comes to being both sensible and desirable, the Acura MDX is second-to-none.” — Edmunds. What The Wife Says: “It’s a comfortable car with lots of room and it drives great.” The Weekly Driver’s Final Words: “What the Honda Odyssey is to the family van, the Acura MDX is to the midsize SUV segment. It’s well built, has a seven-passenger capacity, upscale features as well as grand performance and convenience. There’s no better vehicle in its class.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How many passengers does the 2012 Acura MDX seat?

The MDX seats seven passengers across three rows. It was the first crossover SUV to offer third-row seating when it originally debuted, and the third row remains suitable for children or smaller adults.

What engine does the 2012 Acura MDX have?

The MDX is powered by a 3.7-liter V6 engine producing 300 horsepower, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission featuring a sequential sportshift mode and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Is the 2012 Acura MDX all-wheel drive?

Yes, all-wheel drive is standard on every MDX. The Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system distributes power to individual rear wheels for improved handling and stability in all conditions.

What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Acura MDX?

The MDX achieves 16 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined. While not fuel-sipping, these figures are reasonable for a 300-horsepower luxury SUV with standard all-wheel drive.

What are the available packages for the 2012 MDX?

The MDX offers Exterior, Tech, and Advance packages. The Tech package adds a navigation system with real-time traffic, while the Advance package includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, collision mitigation, a rear DVD entertainment system, and heated second-row seats.

How does the 2012 MDX compare to other luxury SUVs?

The MDX competes with the BMW X5, Lexus RX, and Infiniti FX. Its advantages are Honda-derived reliability, standard third-row seating, and a lower price point than German competitors while offering comparable luxury features and driving refinement.