X

2010 Acura MDX (photos)

The update to Acura's MDX SUV includes minor exterior updates and a serious cabin overhaul. The inside gets the look of luxury, along with some cool new tech features.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
33999811_OVR_540.jpg
1 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
Acura's SUV has always had more in common with cars than with trucks. From its inception it had an independent suspension and a V-6 engine, with an upscale interior more appropriate for the city than the farm.
33999811_FT_540.jpg
2 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
For 2010, the MDX gets some styling changes, notably a flattened nose and more vents in the fascia.
33999811_SS01_540.jpg
3 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The MDX relies on a 3.7-liter V-6, good for 300 horsepower. It is not the most advanced engine in the industry and could be made more efficient through direct injection.
33999811_SD_540.jpg
4 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The MDX is laid out as a seven-passenger vehicle, with a third row that can accommodate two adults, although access requires a little climbing.
33999811_SS02_540.jpg
5 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
Acura fits its high-trim MDX with a magnetic suspension system. The driver can toggle the car between sport and comfort modes.
33999811_SS03_540.jpg
6 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The MDX gets Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system, which shifts torque between front and rear wheels as needed. It also shifts torque across the rear wheels, giving it sports-car handling.
33999811_INT_540.jpg
7 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
With wood-grain trim pieces and nicely inset buttons, the cabin of the MDX has undergone an important refresh.
33999811_SS04_540.jpg
8 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
Where Acura used to have two separate buttons for two different voice command systems, the company has finally consolidated them with one button on the MDX's steering wheel.
33999811_SS06_540.jpg
9 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
Another positive update for the MDX is the inclusion of a six-speed automatic transmission, where previously the company topped out at five speeds.
33999811_SS08_540.jpg
10 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The navigation system maps don't look particularly good, but they do show traffic information and can dynamically route around problems.
33999811_SS09_540.jpg
11 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
During route guidance, the system will read out the names of streets, which is helpful for complex maneuvers or when you can't look down at the map.
33999811_SS10_540.jpg
12 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The navigation system includes a Zagat guide, making it possible to not only find restaurants, but to get some idea what they are like.
33999811_SS11_540.jpg
13 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
One of our favorite features of the navigation system is the database of scenic drives. Listed by state, it points out some excellent road-trip destinations around the country.
33999811_SS12_540.jpg
14 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The cabin tech includes weather information, as a forecast for specific areas and as a severe weather alert map.
33999811_SS14_540.jpg
15 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The Bluetooth phone system imports contact lists, making entries available on the LCD.
33999811_SS15_540.jpg
16 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
This interface for the onboard music library lets you pick music by album, artist, genre, and other categories.
33999811_SS16_540.jpg
17 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
Strangely, the iPod library menu uses a different format than the hard-drive library menu.
33999811_SS17_540.jpg
18 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
A new feature, Song by Voice, lets you say the name of an artist, album, or track on a connected iPod to begin playback.
33999811_SS18_540.jpg
19 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
Fully loaded, the MDX includes rear-seat DVD entertainment, with the screen that automatically folds down from the ceiling.
33999811_SS21_540.jpg
20 of 20 Josh Miller/CNET
The rear-view camera includes distance lines, and three different wide angles, but there are no trajectory lines.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos