2008 Acura MDX

What’s new for the 2008 Acura MDX: Minor updates to the navigation and real-time traffic system.

Among the high-end automakers, Acura spent the longest time sticking to its core specialties - namely, luxury sedans and pocket racers. Not until a few years ago did they start making SUVs, though the greatness of the MDX sure makes you wonder why they didn't try sooner.

Now in its second generation, the MDX is Acura's shot into the mid-size, luxury-class segment, and you can tell these guys went all-out. The MDX holds a smooth, silent 3.7-liter V6 with 300 horsepower, which gives it the same punch as anyone else's V8. Acura also gave it Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive, an impressive piece of technology that improves the MDX's already satisfying handling. The MDX even has the best steering of any Acura product: quick, accurate, and full of feel. While things can get a little noisy on coarse surfaces, it also rides well.

The interior is just as great, managing to look creative and futuristic while remaining faithful to Acura's intuitive layout. The first five seats are terrific, and the [small] third row is a rare feature in this class. Though the optional 5.1 surround sound stereo is a bit overrated, it sounds crisp and can handle DVD Audio, while the optional navigation system is the best there is, period. Many customers feel the same way about the optional rear-seat DVD system.

As one of the most comfortable, reliable, best-driving, fairest-priced, and most full-featured SUVs in its class, the MDX pretty much conquers everything else out there. Unless you have a serious craving for rear-wheel-drive, there's not much reason to bother looking at the others.