ThatвЂ™s 2.8 inches shorter than the QX and 8.3 inches shorter than the Enclave, but 3.5 inches longer than the boxy LR4, which is more than a half-foot taller at the roofline. TheВ Acura MDX also feels nimbler than all of those, at 193.6 inches long. ItвЂ™s easy to take the MDXвЂ™s performance for granted when youвЂ™re absentmindedly cruising around suburbia, but it truly is one of the best performers in this class of luxury SUVs, which includes the Infiniti QX60, the Land Rover LR4 and the larger Buick Enclave.

Somewhat floored by that single burst of excitement, I paid more attention to everyday driving situations afterward. With the engine revving higher in the rpm range, I took a curving highway on-ramp with some actual giddiness - and then was even more surprised at how precise the steering was. This is a vehicle where Sport mode trulyВ makes a difference, especially when using the paddle shifters. Once Sport is engaged, one of the otherwise quietest vehicles I can recall testing comes to life, the engine roaring from ahead of the cabin with a snort that surprises. Push the D/S button while in motion and the MDX goes from Drive to Sport mode. Also, the differing locations and button positions for Reverse and Drive make them easier to locate without looking down. After a few days, though, I got used to it. ItвЂ™s placed this way to avoid inadvertent shifts into Reverse, but it is awkward at first. The Reverse button, though, is placed in such a way that you must pull back on it to activate, similar to the up position for most power-window switches. The gear selector itself is an odd duck, with push-buttons for Park and Neutral and another that cycles between Drive and Sport modes. The new nine-speed transmission feels refined and shifts quickly - and often, considering how many gears it has to choose from. Whether youвЂ™re on your daily commute solo or fully loaded with people on the weekend, the MDX never seems to lack power. Which you get depends on the option package you pick, Technology or Advanced.ДЄ 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine pulls the three-row SUV away from stops with plenty of speed. The Dark Cherry Pearl paint scheme and beige interior of the 2016В Acura MDX I tested was a bit classier than the all-black 2014 model with black interior I evaluated previously.Д®ighteen-inch alloy wheels are standard on both front- and all-wheel-drive models, and there are two variations of optional 19-inch wheels. The MDX wonвЂ™t stand out in a parking lot or school loading zone, but the row of LED headlamps does set it apart slightly. You can compare the 20 models here.ДЄcuraвЂ™s design is certainly modern, and on this large of a vehicle it looks quite handsome. Redesigned from the ground up for 2014, the 2016 MDX gets a new nine-speed automatic transmission and a few other minor changes in what was already widely considered the top of its class. When it comes to luxury SUVs for families, the seven-seat Acura MDX has been a favorite almost since the day it went on sale.

A fully loaded 2016 Acura MDX was impressive when chauffeuring around my own children and a few others, but was more pleasantly surprising when I pushed its performance on solo drives.

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