LexFather

http://www.ibtimes.com/blogs/article...-acura-mdx.htm

Big seven-seat crossovers with near-luxury nameplates: who can keep track of them all?

TheCarConnection.com, that's who. In the past few weeks, we've spent time in nearly all the vehicles in this niche promising lots of personal space, lots of longing stares and lots of passenger-distracting gadgets. There's the Volvo XC90, the Buick Enclave, the Audi Q7, and the latest edition of the 2010 Acura MDX--one of TheCarConnection's favorite big crossover utes, this year freshened with new features and a new grille, which we reviewed for you last
Sidling up to all of them is the voluptuous 2010 Lincoln MKT, a sensual remix of the ultimate two-box carryall, the Ford Flex. With the Flex's strengths in passenger room and all-wheel drive intact, the new 2010 MKT ladles on glamorous, engaging sheetmetal and even more techno-geeky features along with a new turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 with 355 horsepower. At its core, the MKT is a Flex for those less attracted to the GE Monogram aesthetic.

It's upgraded, for sure, but is the MKT upgraded enough to carry the Flex's top ranking to the top of the luxury crossover class? Or does the refreshed Acura MDX have the momentum to walk away from the pack again?

That's our cue at TheCarConnection.com to compare cars, and let you know which one tops our numeric rankings.

But first, the basics:

2010 Acura MDX
week.


The basics: A 300-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 engine coupled to a new six-speed automatic with paddle shifters and standard all-wheel drive

Price: $44,000 and up

Fuel economy: 16/21 mpg

Rating: 8.6 out of 10

The 2010 Acura MDX has plenty to recommend, from its big, strong V-6 engine and six-speed paddle-shifted automatic transmission to its "super-handling" all-wheel drive system. The drivetrain has a lightness and quickness that's not matched in this class. The same holds true for handling--the MDX's road behavior is more carlike and makes it feel smaller than the MKT and others. Its subdued looks are highlighted by a dashing walnut dash and ambient lighting this year. Passenger room and comfort remains a strong selling point, along with five-star safety and a reputation for durability. The MDX's sound system now indexes music and responds to voice controls, too.

However, the MDX's downsides--it's a bit smaller overall, with an less accessible third-row seat--are paired with some unwelcome changes. Its vaguely Toyota RAV4-ish looks get a new grille that reminds editors of a bottle opener. The cabin's adorned with lots of buttons that control lots of complex features like navigation and stability control. The MDX demands premium unleaded gasoline and still lags behind in fuel economy. And the updates for 2010 have turned its steering loose and overly light. A USB port for MP3 coupling is unavailable on the base model, a stupid omission for a brand that leverages a tech-friendly image.

TheCarConnection's Bottom Line? The 2010 Acura MDX has found ways to improve--though the new grille, steering feel, and USB/Bluetooth omissions are out of character.

2010 lincoln mkt 039
2010 Lincoln MKT

The basics: 3.7-liter V-6 with 255 horsepower, or turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 with 355 hp; six-speed automatic; front- or all-wheel drive

Price: $44,000 and up

Fuel economy: 17/23 mpg (front-drive V-6) to 16/22 mpg (AWD and turbo MKTs)

Rating: 9 out of 10

The new 2010 Lincoln MKT is close kin to the Ford Flex, but you'd never be able to tell without a DNA test. It's all suave curves and chromed details, while the Flex boxes it out with those Monogram appliances for hip squareness. The vast interior space inside gives second-row adults even more leg room than front-seat passengers, and it's not out of the question for smaller adults to ride in the third-row seat. With the EcoBoost turbo V-6, the MKT's an athletic accelerator, and ride quality is wonderfully settled without the use of electronics or air shocks. All the essential gadgets from the Flex carry over, including SYNC and the second-row refrigerator, but the luxe Lincoln adds on a parking-assist option, wood or aluminum trim, and adaptive cruise control.

Where the MKT leaves questions in its trail are in styling--is it too polarizing?--and the ultimate utility of that third-row seat. Easy enough--fold it down and the cargo area more than compensates. The headrests on the front seats still sit a little too forward for our liking. While ride quality is great, ultimate handling gets hairy at the high-speed edges, where the MKT's 4800-pound curb weight and long wheelbase give up long before its EcoBoost six does. Finally, we're not SYNC converts--it's hit or miss in detecting artist names and song titles, and a string of three voice commands to perform a one-button action doesn't strike us as more effective.

TheCarConnection.com's Bottom Line? Supremely spacious and stunning from some angles, the 2010 Lincoln MKT gets truly arresting with its EcoBoost turbo V-6.

The Winner: 2010 Lincoln MKT

It's all about the mission statement: the 2010 Acura MDX has superior dynamics, but the limousine-like 2010 Lincoln MKT scores all the people-carrying points, has 55 more horsepower, uses regular unleaded gas and still it gets better gas mileage. The MKT's unique look is far more upscale, and its gadgets more complete, from SYNC to the in-car refrigerator. Its enormous cabin doesn't intrude as much on the driving experience as you'd think, so long as you choose the $49,995 EcoBoost model--and by the time you option the MDX with the must-have features, you're in the same price range. Ford's reputation for quality and reliability has risen to the levels of Honda, Acura and Toyota, leaving no qualms about buying this new crossover.

The Competition

The 2010 Acura MDX and 2010 Lincoln MKT are among TheCarConnection.com's top-ranked large crossovers. Contenders include the handsome Buick Enclave, with great safety and sex appeal, as well as a pretty interior with a piece or two of less-appealing plastic trim. The Volvo XC90 has three rows of seats, but seating anyone in the third row is an awkward exercise, fuel economy is relatively poor, and initial quality has been less than exemplary. The Audi Q7 carries a competitive base price, but adding on diesels or V-8s or third-row seats balloons its price into the stratosphere. You'll pay for the most refined driving feel in the bunch.

IS-SV

I prefer the Robocop grill over the fake shield grill.

wmb0000

I would pick the MDX. I can take the new grill on the MDX but I can take the MKT grill.

mmarshall

This is partly B.S. You're not going to get better mileage than the Acura's N/A V6 if you use those twin turbos a lot. Take it easy, and, yes, maybe so. It IS nice, though, if the turbos in the Lincoln can use regular gas.

Overall, though, I'd probably have to agree with the verdict of the Lincoln being slightly better. The present-generation MDX, except for its reliability, SH-AWD, and excellent paint job, does not impress me as much as the last-generation model did. The interior, for one, is noticeably less plush, and the steering wheel stitching s uncomfortable to hold.

IS-SV

Gas mileage comparisons should be made when final EPA ratings are made available for both vehicles. That's the only valid comparison readily available, everything else is speculation.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

never even heard of an mkt until i saw this thread.

and the acura is dated already...

lamar411

i like the mdx better the mkt looks to futuristic

nthach

The first gen MDX was a good truck - save for Honda's imploding trannies. They managed to ruin the 2nd gen MDX and Pilot.

SLegacy99

Lincoln should drop the 3.5L and offer the 2.0L T for the FWD model.

IS-SV

IMO, the Lincoln thing (whatever the alphabet soup model number is) is way too overweight for the 2.0L T even in FWD config.

SLegacy99

The engine isn't out yet. Don't automatically discount it because it's a 4 cylinder. The 4 cyl. is the new 6.

IS-SV

No, not discounting it due to only 4 cylinders, although very few 4 bangers meet my standard for smoothness, refinement, expensive machinery soundtrack.

But I'm skeptical about any 2.0L boosted (engine size is the concern) always on boost in order to lug around a high-profile (large frontal aero, mediocre drag coefficient) weighing nearly 5000 pounds.

madmax2k1

Both look ugly; and the MDX got beat by a Lincoln Wagon

nthach

Look at it this way - Toyota, Nissan, and Honda still install 4s in their JDM minivans and cargo/utility vehicles. VW, Ford, and Mercedes still use 4s in their utility vans in Europe.

IS-SV

Yes indeed, been there (Europe).

Yes and look at the fuel prices in those markets, tax incentives, no surprise at all.

But what does that have to do with the Lincoln M-whatever SUV in the US market, weighing in at 5000 pounds and Ford wisely selecting something other than a 2.0L 4 banger for it's intended American market, not much.