Fresh styling, more power, and new features highlight the 2007 redesign of Honda's premium midsize SUV. The MDX is not really intended to do anything other than run on sealed and unsealed roads, so is very much a soft-roader.
Power is supplied by a twin-cam V6 engine displacing 3.5 litres. It may not have quite enough grunt for some owners but is beautifully smooth in a very Honda manner.
The automatic transmission is an intelligent five-speed unit but doesn't have a tiptronic function which comes as a bit of a surprise.
Drive is normally only to the front wheels, with the rears being brought in automatically when the computer senses the fronts are starting to slip. This happens quickly and momentum is seldom significantly interrupted.
Being designed for the American market, it's slightly soft in its on-road characteristics. However, if you don't hurry it along you will feel happy enough with its performance.
The 2007 Honda MDX handles with surprising nimbleness. Equipped with the Sport package, the MDX's two-mode dampers soak up the bumps when necessary and firm up when the pace quickens. Overall, the MDX demonstrates a quickness and dexterity that makes it every bit as confidence-inspiring as high-performance rivals like the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5.
The cabin is wide, roomy and comfortable so is designed to take large people. Moderate levels of tire hum and highway wind rush for an SUV. The engine is smooth, with a rich-sounding growl during acceleration.
There are three rows of seats - the centre row has a 60/40 split and can carry three adults with decent legroom, though headroom may be marginal for some.
There is precious little space behind 3rd-row seat, but its split bench conveniently folds forward from rear of vehicle. With all seats folded, the cargo floor is nearly flat.
With big fish like the BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne and Volvo XC90, Honda's MDX swims in an extremely competitive pond. But the ute's makeover has been a complete success. The 2007 Honda MDX surpasses its rivals on the strength of its performance and wealth of safety and luxury features.
