2014 Acura MDX Video

Overall, Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays seemed underwhelmed by Acura's 2014 redesign of its best-selling SUV, the MDX. The more aerodynamic MDX is longer, narrower and shorter than its predecessor, but a lack of fresh styling provides little exterior excitement.

More 2013 New York Auto Show Coverage

Still, the interior is comfortable, with ample headroom and legroom in the first two rows, and a nifty one-touch feature that powers the second row forward for third-row access is convenient. However, space negotiations will be continual among anyone not in the front seats unless you designate the back row a kids-only zone. Watch the video below.

Recall Alert: 182,800 Honda, Acura Vehicles

Honda is voluntarily recalling 182,800 vehicles due to an electronic stability system malfunction, according to a statement from the automaker. Affected vehicles are 101,000 Honda Pilot crossovers, 60,000 Acura MDX SUVs and 21,000 Acura RL sedans, all from model-year 2005; 800 model-year 2006 Acura MDX SUVs are also affected.

According to Honda, if an electrical capacitor on the system's control unit was damaged during the manufacturing process, the system could malfunction and apply a small amount of brake force for a fraction of a second outside the driver's control. If the driver applies the brakes during a system malfunction, a crash could result.

In addition to the recall, 51,000 of the affected Pilot crossovers will be inspected to ensure that an electrical ground bolt for the electronic stability system is properly tightened; a loosened ground bolt may cause a similarly short period of unintended brake activation. According to Honda, no crashes or injuries have resulted from these issues.

Honda will notify owners in mid-April, and Honda and Acura dealers will install a new electrical sub-harness for free. In the 51,000 affected Pilot vehicles, dealers will properly tighten the ground bolt for free. For more info, Honda owners can call 800-999-1009 or go to www.recalls.honda.com, and Acura owners can call 800-382-2238 or go to www.recalls.acura.com.

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Recall Alert: 2012 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot

Honda is voluntarily recalling 8,700 model-year 2012 versions of the Pilot and Acura MDX SUVs due to problems with the fuel tank.

An emissions-related piece of equipment could detach from its mounting inside the tank. This could lead to an overflow of fuel or a fuel leak. Both issues increase the risk of fire, but Honda cautions that no fires have been reported.

Honda will notify owners starting in mid-March, and dealers will replace the affected fuel tank free of charge. In the meantime, owners can visit www.recalls.honda.com or www.recalls.acura.com to determine if their vehicles are part of the recall. They can also call 800-999-1009 (Honda) or 800-382-2238 (Acura) for more info.

Acura to Get Diesel Power

Acura announced at the Detroit auto show today that it will market a clean-diesel engine in North America beginning in 2009. The diesel engine, dubbed i-DTEC, complies with U.S. emissions standards even without having a separate urea storage system that would have to be refilled periodically.

Acura has not named which of its models will receive the diesel engine, but the MDX is a logical choice. The improved efficiency and low-end torque offered by diesels would be especially beneficial in that luxury SUV.

—Mike Hanley

This Week in Ask.cars.com

Minivans are a staple for families that make vacations — or at least the driving portion — bearable by offering good passenger room and comfort. This week we answered the question, what is the best minivan for the money, with our recommended vehicle having already been distinguished multiple times at Cars.com for its value.

• What is the best minivan for the money?
• When does the 2008 Acura MDX go on sale?
• What is the cheapest car for a college student?
• How many distinct models are available for sale in the 2008 model year?
• What are the differences between the 2007 and 2008 Dodge Nitro R/T 4x4?

2008 Ford Taurus, 2007 Acura MDX: Top Safety Picks

The newly restyled and renamed Ford Taurus makes an impressive appearance on the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick list, joined by the all-new Acura MDX SUV. The award goes to vehicles that pass front and side crash tests with the insurance industry group’s top rating, as well as providing additional safety features including stability control.

Both car companies had to improve their vehicles to earn the important nod. The MDX had to improve its head restraints while the Taurus had to add stability control. It is now an option, while in the previous model, named the Five Hundred, it was not offered at all. 

Ford, Honda Get Top Crash Test Scores (Detroit News)

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Reader Review of the Week: 2007 Acura MDX

Yes, yes we know: The new Acura MDX was just featured in our Suburban Dad vs. Urban DINK post a few weeks back, but the “Ski Family” from Lake Tahoe submitted an MDX review that was the best consumer review of the week. The family traded in a 2004 Acura MDX for the new model, so it may help persuade other previous MDX owners and fill them in on changes to the navigation system, the loss of the roof rack and other useful tidbits.

You can submit your own car review any time right here.

Suburban Dad vs. Urban DINK: Acura MDX

The new Acura MDX arrived in the Cars.com fleet last week just in time for some bad weather and some extreme scrutiny from our resident Urban DINK and Suburban Dad. First up, the Urban DINK took the MDX for a few days of commuting and errand-running before handing the keys to the suburb-dwelling parent.

UD: After enjoying a week with the Acura RDX because of its city-friendly size, I was expecting the MDX to be too big for real urban driving. Surprisingly, when I parked it in the spot where our Jeep Grand Cherokee usually sits, it fit just fine, although it was harder to see over the hood. Parallel parking wasn’t bad, but the tight steering was a bit of a pain.

I’m really perplexed by the size of this thing. The third row doesn’t help at all in our daily lives, and an MDX with two rows would have a ton of cargo room, like the Jeep, without being obnoxiously large on the street. Instead, the standard third row takes up a lot of cargo space without offering much benefit; it does fold almost perfectly flat, though not perfectly enough for me.

SD: The folding third row was one of the things my family and I liked best about the MDX. Having a third row means the kids don’t have to sit on top of each other, which means fewer arguments. The fact that it can fold meant I could load bags back there that wouldn’t fit in the tiny cargo space that’s there when the third row is in use. The one-hand lever that lowers and raises the third row was a hit with me as well.

My wife and I were comfortable in the front, and I fit in the second row easily. Getting into the third row was a little dicey for the kids, but they found their way when they had to.