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It'd be neat to hear of your experiences.
The MDX sure does ride real smooth and carlike (feels just like my '98 Accord EX-V6L).
I'll post later about my own experiences!
Cheerio!
Newbie |
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| Newbie, I too have a '98 Honda Accord EX-V6 and love the ride, however, my lease is about up and I am just about ready to take the plunge and place a deposit on an SS MDX Touring/w Nav. I've test driven the MDX on 2 occasions and can certainly say, nothing will be sacrificed as far as ride and comfort. Prior to me coming across the MDX, I too thought I wanted an Infiniti QX4. The biggest difference to me and what you'll probably find between the MDX and the QX4 is that headroom and rear seat legroom are negligible. The closest thing to the MDX performance-wise is the BMW X5 and to get the BMW optioned like the MDX will cost you anywhere from $47K-$50K. |
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| I guess I am not alone! I just sold my '98 Accord EXV6 last week and been driving my new MDX since November. I'd rank the performance and handling better than the Accord, the only thing is the acceleration is better with the Accord. The VTEC seems to be 'more' when you floor it. The transition has been great, everything is in the same place. I was sad to let the Accord go though, it was a nice car but I need the extra room. |
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When I first started thinking SUV, I thought about the QX4 and how reliable it's been. But it's based on an old Pathfinder platform, and the recent enhancement with the more powerful engine, while nice, is too little, too late when you factor in the competition.
Passenger room and cargo room are issues in the QX4/Pathfinder. Sure, total cubic feet with the second row folded is mathematically higher than the MDX, but there's actually less useable space there (check out Car & Driver's comparo with the stacking beer cases). And there's no contest comparing the cargo room behind the second row.
Infiniti has done a terrible job differentiating the QX4 from a top-of-the-line Pathfinder, there's less reason to pay a premium.
Worse yet, the Pathfinder/QX4 has not done well in IIHS crash tests. While the MDX hasn't been tested yet, Acura expects the high score, and since the Odyssey (on which the MDX is based) scored very well on the IIHS test, there's no reason to doubt them. |
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Having within the past year driven both versions of the BMW X5, MDX touring, two versions of the MBz M-class, both Lexus, Cadillac, and Infiniti (whew!) I would definately say that, if cost weren't a concern, the best one out there (from a driving perspective) is the BMW X5 4.4i. But since my name is not Bill Gates and I'm not related to the Sultan of Brunei , price is a factor. And the base price of the 4.4i is over $10,000 more than a loaded MDX. Perhaps that is an unfair comparison and the X5 3.0i is a better match. Even so, comparably equipped, the BMW commands a $7000! premium over the MDX. The 3.0i has less hp AND torque, MUCH smaller interior volume, AND is nearly 200 lb heavier!
Second only to the X5 4.4i I would select the MDX. Why? Price, interior volume, functional 3rd row seating, engine, on-road handling. Furthermore it is more off-road capable than the X5, M-class, and Lexus RX.
The QX4 is actually a slightly dressed up version of the Pathfinder and is Infiniti's attempt at quickly getting a SUV in the luxury market without having to spend time/money developing a significantly new vehicle. Somewhat akin to what GM did for the Cadillac Escalade over the Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon Denali. And what Acura did several years ago for their SLX/Isuzu Trooper (ick!)
The QX4 comes standard with leather, wood trim, longer warranty (than the Pathfinder), side airbags, more weight(than the Pathfinder), and a quartz clock (very important) for a bargain price of only $4000 more than the Pathfinder LE (which has a sunroof standard, optional on QX4). Same engine very similar looks. Not quite a bargain huh?
Now lets compare the MDX and the QX4 directly...
The QX4 and MDX both have 240 HP with the Infiniti having 20 FtLbs more torque.
Fuel mileage 4mpg better on the highway for the MDX (the difference is 2mpg in the city).
Warranty is longer on the QX4 than the MDX (mileage wise).
For the passenger interior volume the MDX dwarfs the QX4 at 161 vs. 93 cu. ft. Front and rear legroom, shoulderroom, and hiproom are significantly larger for the MDX.
MDX seats 7 whereas the QX4 seats 5.
Folding the MDX's rear seat opens up a rear compartment much larger than the QX4's as well. And even with the 3rd row up the rear compartment is generous.
Wheelbase is the same but overall track and width are larger for the MDX.
MDX is equipped with 17" wheels standard (touring and non-touring) and the Infiniti can only be had with 16".
Suspension is 4 wheel independent on the MDX and front independent rear live axle on the QX4.
Transmission is 5 speed auto on the MDX and 4 speed auto on the QX4.
Brakes are 4 wheel disc on the MDX and front disc/rear drum on the QX4.
Heated seats and front power memory are standard on the MDX and optional on the QX4.
Limited slip diff is standard on the MDX and optional on the QX4.
With all of this you might be saying that the MDX must be MUCH heavier than the QX4. In fact the weight difference is only 31lbs! And that's without adding the QX4's optional navi, diff, sunroof!
Finally, and most importantly, comparably equipped (both with Navi) the QX4 costs over $1000 more than the MDX ($40,525 vs. $39,450). You can either invest the money you'll save with the MDX over the QX4 or purchase a 7yr/100,000 mile extended warranty on the MDX and add even more to the advantage!
Kinda makes me wonder how dealerships are going to be able to move QX4's off of their lots (big rebates I imagine).
I'm not knocking Nissan or Infiniti but as far as the SUVs on the market are concerned I would pick the MDX over the dressed-up Pathfinder/QX4 any day. The SUV market is hot right now and I don't think the current QX4 is quite up to par with the newer competition.
LEGENDtuner |
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when comparing the QX4/Pathfinder against the MDX.
I really thought the Pathfinder was the bargain over the QX4. However, I did not like the ride of the Pathfinder...just too trucklike for me. Also, the Pathfinder was not wide enough.
TAD
Emerald Breen Touring |
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