Contrived sport. That is what I think of when I drive the Acura MDX. Their ads talk about Nurburgring development, it has super-handling AWD, and adjustable suspension. I just don't think the package is that impressive. Sure, the engine develops decent torque for a V-6 and, ultimately, it can go around corners quickly but I don't enjoy driving the MDX. It feels like Acura added weight to the steering just so it feels sporty on a test drive. In actuality, the steering is slow and the heft is annoying. Also, the adjustable suspension is too stiff on the default setting and too floaty in comfort mode.
Inside, there are buttons everywhere. The center console is an ergonomic nightmare and I haven't seen this many buttons on a steering wheel since a 1990 Pontiac Bonneville SSE. On the positive side, at least the quality of the interior is impressive (better than our long-term BMW X5, just feel the similar roll-back cover for the cup holders) and the exterior styling is quite nice. The Acura could be a much nicer SUV with a few changes. All they really need to do is fiddle with the suspension and steering settings and simplify the interior design.