NEW CARS GUIDE

Vehicle Overview
Updated for 2010 with a new transmission and revised styling, the seven-seat MDX luxury SUV has a 5,000-pound tow rating and Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive. It competes against the BMW X5, Lexus RX 350 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class. It's top-rated in crash tests and has a history of above-average reliability.
New for 2010
Changes this year include a new grille similar to the ones on Acura's TSX and TL sedans, updated taillights and tailpipes, a new steering wheel, revised gauges and some new high-tech options. An Advance Package replaces last year's Sport Package, and a six-speed automatic transmission supplants last year's five-speed automatic.
Exterior
Now in the current generation's fourth year, the MDX has received a face that looks more like the ones on Acura's sedans. The rear looks more like last year's MDX.

Standard 18-inch alloy wheels
Standard xenon headlights
Optional auto-leveling xenon headlights and 19-inch wheels
Interior
The MDX carries seven people in standard leather seats. It has eight-way power front seats, and the driver's seat can remember two settings. Both seats are heated, with ventilated seats optional. There's also standard automatic three-zone climate control and a cargo space that can be configured six ways, depending on how the seats are folded. A number of tech features have been upgraded for 2010.
Optional rear DVD entertainment system, power outlet in the center console and heated second-row seats
Optional voice-recognition navigation system with real-time traffic information
Optional ventilated seats, metallic accents and sport steering wheel
Under the Hood
The MDX's 3.7-liter V-6 turns out 300 horsepower and 275 pounds-feet of torque, making it Acura's most powerful engine.
Six-speed automatic transmission with sequential manual shifting
Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive
Optional active-damping suspension that varies shock-absorber firmness to smooth the ride and control body lean, with driver-selectable Sport and Comfort modes
Safety
Standard safety features include:
Dual-stage front airbags
Side-impact airbags for the front seats
Side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor for all three rows of seats
Active head restraints
All-disc antilock brakes
Electronic stability system with traction control
Optional blind spot warning system and active cruise control with collision mitigation feature