2016 Acura MDX SH AWD - Off Road And Track Review

The 2016 Acura MDX: A Premium SUV with Hidden Capabilities

Hello everyone and welcome to this video where we'll be track testing and off-road testing the 2016 Acura MDX SH-ALLWHEEL DRIVE WITH ADVANCED AND ENTERTAINMENT PACKAGES. This is a premium SUV from Acura featuring a 3.5L V6 producing 290 horsepower, which I'll be comparing to other luxury vehicles such as the BMW X5M and X6M, Cadillac Escalade, Mercedes ML 400, and Volkswagen TEG.

Starting with the drawbacks, the Acura has the lowest ground clearance of the group, the least front and rear headroom, and was on the lower end in terms of power against its competitors. It also had a lower toe capacity, although it still managed to handle well up to a maximum of 5,000 pounds. Despite these limitations, the MDX is my personal favorite among the group, and it was also voted the best luxury SUV by the journalists who attended the event, winning its category.

One of the key advantages of the Acura MDX is its low weight. It's the second-lowest in cost among the group, offers phenomenal on-road performance, plenty of cargo space, and gets the best gas mileage of all gasoline-powered vehicles. The MDX also boasts excellent visibility out of the front, with a slightly narrow window to the sides, but good-looking-out-the-rear visibility that actually really works well.

The interior of the MDX is equipped with active cruise control, stability control, lane departure warning, and start-stop technology, which can be turned off when desired. The parking detection system also functions flawlessly, allowing drivers to park with ease. Overall, the Acura MDX's extensive list of features makes it an attractive choice for luxury SUV buyers.

Our first test on the track will be parking, where we'll see how the rearview cameras work out in a real-world setting. To begin, we'll put the MDX into reverse and observe its performance. The camera system proves to be pretty nice, allowing for smooth maneuvering in tight spaces. Next, we'll move on to a slalom course, which can be completed at about 20 feet before it gets a little sketchy.

During the slalom test, we notice a decent amount of body roll and understeer from 40 feet, but braking from 50 feet is very good. The course is an excellent way to evaluate the MDX's handling capabilities on paved surfaces.

Moving on to off-road testing, the Acura MDX doesn't have too much ground clearance, which could be a concern in certain situations. However, the vehicle does come equipped with all-wheel drive and torque vectoring differentials in both the front and rear axles, making it well-suited for low-traction environments.

The first portion of our off-road test involves navigating through deep water, where we'll see how the MDX handles its reduced clearance. To our surprise, there's no significant fuss or trouble getting through the water, as the vehicle seems to effortlessly navigate the obstacle. Next, we'll stop in the water and attempt to get out from a standstill, testing the MDX's ability to exit the water without issue.

In this final section of our off-road test, we come to a stop in the water and lightly accelerate, observing how much wheel slip occurs before the vehicle gains traction. We're pleased to find that there's only a tiny bit of wheel slippage, as the MDX quickly regains its footing on dry land. This demonstrates the vehicle's ability to handle off-road situations with ease.

Overall, our test reveals that the 2016 Acura MDX is an excellent choice for those seeking a luxurious SUV with hidden capabilities. While it may not excel in every area, its impressive list of features and impressive performance make it a strong contender among its competitors. Whether you're looking to tackle paved roads or venture into off-road terrain, the MDX has proven itself to be more than capable of meeting your demands.