2014 ACURA MDX: Vexed by voice command

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This article was published 09/05/2014 (4337 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s not often that a single feature of a vehicle dominates my driving notes during a week-long test drive, but that’s exactly what happened when I spent seven days with Acura’s new-for-2014 MDX.

Reviewing my voice notes, I found each successive recording had a more frustrated tone than the last.

The culprit is Acura’s voice-command system, and the real shame is this ergonomic disaster is finding its way into every new suitably optioned Honda and Acura vehicle on the market.

Let’s start with making a phone call: Hit the voice-command button. Hit it again to skip the instructions and get to the beep. Now, rather than just saying “Call home,” one needs to first access the phone function by saying “Phone call.” Only then can you utter the words that should have been said after the first push of the button.

And the system got the name wrong more times than most. Not only that, but when the option to make a phone call becomes available, the screen displays a random name from your phone book, while the name you actually said is displayed higher up on the screen. There is a way to turn the tutorial function off, so that would save a step.

So that’s a phone call, and we haven’t started talking about the navigation system. What makes the system so frustrating is voice commands should be there to reduce driver distraction. Imagine entering a destination using your voice by spelling the street, city, or point of interest one letter at a time. And don’t forget the requirement to push the voice button between each letter. Plus, there’s the system’s selective hearing.

The system is far too distracting and frustrating to use while driving. Pulling over and entering the information using the control knob isn’t much better (doesn’t Honda realize a touch screen is the way to go?). To say the system needs a complete overhaul would not be overstating the situation. My advice to Honda is this: If you can’t do it right, don’t do it at all.

Thank you. I feel better now.

With that off my chest, I have nothing but accolades for the new MDX. And with its fresh win as best new SUV/CUV over $60,000 in AJAC’s 2014 Car of the Year awards, it seems I’m not alone.

If you’re looking for driver involvement in a mid-sized crossover, it’s waiting for you right here. Its direct-injected 3.5-litre engine pumps out a robust 290 hp and 267 lb.-ft. of torque, and power is delivered effectively through a six-speed automatic with wheel-mounted shift paddles.

Even though it’s 0.2 litres smaller than last year’s engine, it packs more torque. And with the help of variable cylinder management, it achieves fuel-consumption ratings that are a whopping 21 per cent improvement over last year’s MDX. Transport Canada ratings are now 11.2 L/100 km city and 7.7 highway, also thanks in part to a low-carb diet that saw the MDX lose more than 150 kilograms in weight.

It’s the SH-AWD (Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive) that gets the power to the road in one of the most effective ways possible. In an age when all-wheel drive systems are increasingly designed to react to wheel slippage, Acura’s system has proven to be superior in many ways. During acceleration, up to 45 per cent of the engine’s power is shifted rearward whether wheelspin is present or not. And around corners, 100 per cent of that rearward power can be apportioned to the outside rear tire to keep the MDX in line. That wheel is also turned just a little bit faster than the other three to help the situation. It’s a shame the smaller RDX has dropped this system in favour of a more conventional slip-then-grip setup.

There’s also the Integrated Dynamic System, or IDS, that offers driver-selectable response at the push of a console-mounted button. “Sport” mode stiffens up steering effort while sharpening throttle response and employing a more aggressive setup for the SH-AWD system.

The net result of all of this driveline technology is a large people-mover that is powerful, responsive and possesses an undeniable sense of substance while going down the road.

As expected, third-row accommodations are snug, but getting back there is surprisingly easy. The second row springs forward and out of the way with the push of a button and returns back to its original position. Simple, but appreciated. The second row is the place to be for passengers, with adjustments for fore-aft and seatback rake, and heat available on Technology and Elite models.

From the driver’s seat, all is right when devoting one’s attention to the task at hand. The dash design is attractive with its restrained use of open-grain olive ash trim, the steering wheel feels right in the hands and primary controls are where they need to be. There’s also plenty of covered storage to keep loose items readily at hand but hidden from prying eyes. But I’m not a fan of the double-decker screen — a single touch screen would have sufficed and taken up less real estate.

The MDX’s cargo hold can swallow a modest 447 litres behind the third row, but in the more likely event of having the third row folded, that volume increases to 1,277L. Put the second row down and there’s 2,575L of volume behind the driver and front-passenger buckets.

The 2014 MDX line starts at $49,990, a drop of more than three grand compared to the outgoing model. Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloys, power liftgate, rear-view camera, heated front seats and steering wheel, LED headlights, and leather upholstery. The $54,690 Navi model adds 19-inch alloys, navigation and (ahem) voice recognition, a 501-watt surround audio system, forward collision warning system, lane-departure warning and a hard disk for media storage. Step up to the $59,990 Tech package and expect to see a nine-inch DVD entertainment system, a 529-watt audio system, heated second-row seats, upgraded leather and rear side sunshades.

Our tester was the loaded Elite model, which stickers at $65,990 and adds a 16.2-inch rear entertainment system, a 546-watt audio system, adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking system, parking sensors, lane-keeping assist system, remote start, surround-view camera, ventilated front seats and a few other goodies.

There’s a lot of sport, a lot of luxury and a lot of technology in the 2014 MDX. In short, there’s a lot to like.