Acura MDX is great in luxury

MDX is the largest of the "X" or all-wheel-drive crossover utility vehicles Acura brings to the Canadian market and it is manufactured in Alliston, Ont.

The largest of the Acura crossovers, MDX has been freshened up for 2010.

Up front, Acura has put in their signature grille and made some other changes to the front fascia, fenders and hood.

There has been a little cosmetic tweaking of the sides by changing the side sills. At the rear, tail lights have a new shape and brighter LEDs installed. The lower rear fascia is now sculpted around the dual polished stainless steel exhaust tips giving a bit of a classy look to a rather large tail.

Improvements that you can't see start with an increase in displacement of the V6 to 3.7 litres. Add to that a revised engine block that is stiffer than before, uses a high-strength crankshaft, heavy duty rods and high compression pistons.

On top of that is a revised cylinder head with better cooling, new intake valve springs, new EGR system, unique longer reach spark plugs and a larger throttle body. All this is done to keep up with Acura's pledge to provide V8 power from a V6. At 300 h.p. and 270 lb./ft. of torque, the company has fulfilled its mandate.

Other improvements such as throttle by wire, variable valve lift and timing on the intake cam and a computer controlled dual stage induction system; Acura has broadened the torque curve so there is more useable power throughout the power band. In addition to the power increases, Acura has improved fuel economy over the previous MDX as well.