Acura ZDX include 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels

The 2011 Acura ZDX is a sporty coupe styled as a fastback with five doors seating up to five people. Its design is prominent among today’s array of sport utility vehicles with an all glass roof, fenders that are accentuated and hidden doors handles. Futuristic in style, its strong, wide shoulders give its shape a dominance and purpose. It can be considered one of Acura’s best looking vehicles.

Standard features of the Acura ZDX include 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, cruise control, a glass roof with multi-panels and a front tilt feature, a powered sunshade that opens automatically, audio system with eight speakers and eight subwoofers, XM satellite radio, rearview camera display accompanying the rear view mirrors, leathered trimmed sports seats and front seats that can be heated to two levels. A technology package which is an available option upgrades the sound system to include a ten speaker surround sound system with CD, audio DVD, Dolby sound and AM/FM tuner, media storage with a hard drive, a navigation system, real time traffic and weather, temperature control with solar sensing, and a keyless access system with a push button ignition.

The interior of the Acura ZDX is roomy and contains numerous high quality features such as loop carpet, fine soft leather seats and a cargo-bin lid that is equipped with shocks and springs.

The engine of the Acura ZDX, the largest that Acura manufactures, is 3.7 liter V-6 with 300 horsepower that delivers up to 270 lbs-ft of torque and provides for a powerful yet efficient ride. A six-speed automatic transmission is part of the package. Estimated mileage is 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway and a 21-gallon fuel capacity gives the vehicle the potential to travel over 400 miles over one tank of gas.

The Acura ZDX comes standard with Acura’s own specially designed all-wheel handling system that determines on a continuous basis the optimum power distribution level between the front and rear wheels and also between the wheels on either side of the vehicle based on a variety of functions. This makes for a vehicle that can handle the road and corners with a system that exceeds the capabilities of other conventional all-wheel drive systems.

The center console of the Acura ZDX is covered in fine leather that matches the dashboard and the seats. The driver’s seat has a power lumbar support and has ten settings for adjusting the seat. There are eight similar settings for the front passenger seat. Two levels of heating are available for both seats and the Advanced Package offers cooling of the seats as well. Three people can sit comfortably in the rear seats although access through the door can be somewhat challenging. Cargo area behind the rear seats is over 27 cubic feet while lowering the rear seats can increase that space to over 57 cubic feet.

The 2011 Acura ZDX is a well-designed sports coupe more for the two adults looking for a car to take them to a getaway weekend than as a vehicle for transporting the kids and related cargo. Its powerful engine and all-wheel drive make for a vehicle that is a pleasure to drive.

 

 

2012 Acura RDX audio jack and an interface for USB and iPod

The 2011 Acura RDX, now in its fifth year of production, is a compact luxury SUV that is one of the most pleasing compact crossovers to drive. Five can sit comfortably inside the vehicle. Standard features include heated mirrors, wheels 18 inches in diameter, privacy glass, xenon headlamps, fog lamps, cruise control, sunroof, automatic climate control that is dual mode to allow different temperature settings for the two front passengers, tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, satellite radio, six-CD changer with seven-speaker sound system, audio jack and an interface for USB and iPod.

An additional technology package is available for the Acura RDX that provides a navigation system and climate control that senses solar rays, a rearview camera, traffic and weather in real-time, voice controls, a display screen as an infotainment center, and a surround-sound audio system with 10 speakers and DVD audio capability.

The sophistication of the Acura RDX continues with the interior with plush leather seats that are ergonomically designed to provide the support of a luxury sport sedan. Dual-level heaters for the front seats afford warmth during the cold winter months and a 10-way setting for the driver’s seat helps to create the driving position that best suits the driver. Side mirror positions are maintained with two memory settings. Room for three in the rear lets passengers have enough space to be comfortable with a flat floor and generous space under the front seats. You would be hard pressed to find a more accommodating compact SUV on the market.

A turbo-charged 2.3 liter four cylinder 240 horsepower engines powers the Acura RDX with a five-speed automatic transmission. Front wheel drive is standard on the vehicle with all-wheel drive optional. Acura’s specially designed all-wheel drive system determines how power can be best distributed between the front and rear wheels as well as the wheels on either side of the vehicle so that optimal traction is achieved in all road conditions.

The front-wheel drive only Acura RDX is rated at 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway with a combined rating of 21 mpg. The heavier Acura RDX with all-wheel drive comes in at 17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway and a combined rating of 19 mpg. Fuel economy is about average for this class of vehicle.

Cargo space in the Acura RDX is 27.8 cubic feet which is enhanced by the square shape of the vehicle’s roofline. Belongings can be hidden with a hard cargo cover lid when the rear seats are up. When the seats are titled forward and seatbacks are down, the cargo capacity increases to 60.6 cubic feet.

The 2011 Acura RDX is worth consideration if you are in the market for a smaller, compact luxury SUV combined with the features of a sports sedan that makes for a taut but comfortable highway ride. With its more technological elements, the interior offers sophistication and features a high-tech ambiance that is dynamic yet serene. The front grilling and design may detract somewhat from the vehicle’s appearance yet the turbo-charged engine and its ability to handle tight corners make this car unique in its class.

 

 

New Acura MDX sporty performance and handling characteristics

The 2011 Acura MDX is a mid-sized SUV that offers sporty performance and handling characteristics, combined with respectable practicality. Its handling is a mix of that of a sports sedan with a crossover utility to an SUV. At over 78 inches in width, the Acura MDX has a wide track which gives it an athletic appearance that makes it the sporting vehicle that it is.

A 3.7-liter V6 engine that can run at 300 horsepower provides power, efficiency and refinement. A six-speed automatic is the basis of the transmission. Also standard on the Acura MDX is its super-handling all wheel drive system which improves the traction in bad weather by allowing the outer wheels to accelerate more quickly through a turn to give the car a greater handling capability.

Daytime running lights, sunroof, leather seats, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power windows, an indicator of the exterior temperature, satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity are standard features of the Acura MDX. Additional packages are available for the MDX and include a built-in navigation system, an active sports suspension, front seats that are ventilated, adaptive cruise control, a detection system for blind spots and the Acura Collision Mitigating Braking System. This system can warn the driver if a collision seems imminent by means of visual and auditory warnings and will automatically apply the brakes to their full capacity if a collision is detected.

The fuel economy of the Acura MDX is estimated at 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway, better than average for a vehicle of its kind, and when the 21-gallon fuel capacity is taken into consideration gives the vehicle the potential for a cruising range of 400 miles or more.

The Acura MDX seats seven, the front with two bucket seats, room for three in the second row and a capacity of two in the third row. Folding the third row of seats flat offers 43 cubic feet of cargo space and additional folding down the second row of seats increases the capacity to 84 cubic feet.

The six-speed automatic transmission of the Acura MDX offers the option of either precise and intuitive automatic shifting or shift-for-yourself control. Putting the car into “Drive” enables smooth gear changes and emphasizes fuel economy. The transmission in “Sport” mode enables the vehicle to be driven manually with the ability to control driving on hills or for high performance. Its all-wheel drive system that directs engine power to match road conditions enhances the handling of dry roads and makes for power transitions that are seamless and great agility in handling the road. The rigid body structure is made of lightweight materials that can hold their stiffness throughout the body, and makes for a quiet cabin, a smooth ride and better handling.

The 2011 Acura MDX has made many improvements in luxury and handling abilities since the first generation of the vehicle. By combining capable handling, user-friendly high-tech and a powerful engine with relatively good fuel economy, this car is a standout for its brand and class and definitely has become a top pick among the range of mid-sized SUVs.