2011 Acura MDX

The 2011 Acura MDX is a seven-passenger, three-row luxury crossover vehicle. It puts its best foot forward with strong acceleration, a comfortable cabin and in great safety performance--while downplaying any extreme off-road ability.

However, it's also an entertaining vehicle to drive and, despite some odd exclusions on the features list, a supremely confident family vehicle with a stellar safety record.

Pricing begins around $43,000 and reaches beyond $50,000 for fully outfitted versions. The MDX competes against luxury crossovers like the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT; the Volvo XC90; and the Buick Enclave.

The Acura MDX is one of our top-ranked large crossovers. Contenders include the handsome Buick Enclave, with great safety and sex appeal, as well as a prettier interior with a piece or two of less-appealing plastic trim than the MDX. The Volvo XC90 has three rows of seats, but seating anyone in the third row is an awkward exercise, fuel economy is relatively poor, and initial quality has been less than exemplary. The new Lincoln MKT takes the fundamentals of the roomy, capable Ford Flex and wraps them in distinctive sheetmetal—and fits in a 355-horsepower turbocharged six-cylinder engine for class-leading power.