For the Jet-Ski Set: Acura Prices 2014 MDX Starting at $43,185

While station wagons deliver 99 percent of an SUV's on-road capability, Americans still aren't climbing down off their high chairs. Proof: Last year, Acura sold just 4234 TSX Sport Wagons. Instead of this fun, attractive, and entirely practical vehicle for the average family, buyers chose the bigger, bulkier MDX by a 12-to-1 margin, making it Acura's bestseller for the third year in a row. Now in its third generation, the 2014 MDX looks to gain even more fans–because who knows when you might need to tow a Jet Ski? Base price for the MDX with Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) goes up $1010 from the 2013 model to $45,185. Since some buyers don't need or want all-wheel drive, Acura now offers front-wheel-drive models starting at $43,185. Front-drive MDX models are rated at 20 city and 28 highway. Fuel economy improves by 2 mpg in the city and 6 mpg on the highway for the new SH-AWD model to 18 and 27, respectively, versus last year's MDX. That price jump for the SH-AWD brings a lot of kit you won't find standard on the competition, such as LED headlamps, rear backup camera, keyless entry, and a driver's-knee airbag. The Acura-branded 432-watt stereo is more powerful than before and includes an eight-inch touch screen for the radio controls. When combined with a separate screen for navigation, the result is rather unwieldy, as we've seen in most new Hondas. SH-AWD models with the Technology package, at $49,460, include several more features that were previously restricted to the uplevel Advance package, including 19-inch wheels and forward collision warning and auto-braking. All together, the Tech package offers more than $4000 worth of content and features for just a $1710 increase over a similarly equipped 2013 model. Top-of-the-line MDX Advance with Entertainment models add Acura's Lane Keep Assist, which applies steering force when navigating moderate curves, along with active cruise control and the Honda Odyssey's nifty 16.2-inch widescreen display (with HDMI capability, no less) for rear passengers. This model, with SH-AWD, runs $57,400. Photos and Info: 2014 Acura MDX Comparison Test: Acura MDX vs. Audi Q7 3.0T, BMW X5 xDrive35i, Land Rover LR4 HSE, Lexus GX460 Instrumented Test: 2010 Acura MDX We admit the 2014 MDX makes our wagon bias seem a little pedestrian by comparison. None of these fancy upgrades are available on the TSX Sport Wagon, nor does it offer all-wheel drive or seat seven. Perhaps that's the point. from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

Put the internet to work for you. via Personal Recipe 647533