2011 Acura MDX as Pawed by Daisy Mae Hamel from Bark Buckle UP with two of her Paw friends. I am usually not very good at sharing. I don’t like it when other dogs try to take my owner’s attention away from me where it belongs. I guess you could say that I suffer from Miss Piggy Syndrome when it comes to getting all of the attention. I want it all focused on me all of the time!
But what if you want a luxury SUV that can even haul 7 humans (I don’t know why you’d want to) in total comfort yet doesn’t constantly scream for attention? Well, you don’t have many options besides the elegant yet sensible 2011 Acura MDX.
As a canine car reviewer I found it to be comfortable, easy to jump up into the back seat and that my owner didn’t have to stoop over to attach my safety restraint harness. If I was Goldilocks’ I would have to say that in the premium SUV segment the 2011 Acura MDX is “just right.” So which SUV’s are just wrong?
Perhaps this is just a Southern California phenomenon but I find the larger and more obnoxious the SUV, the higher the likelihood that a small, yipping Chihuahua will be found hanging out the driver’s window. That is unsafe as even the most annoying dog should be securely buckled into a restraint or crate in the back.
Some SUV owners need to be reminded that the whole chrome dub phenomenon is so last decade and that chrome detailing should be used with restraint. Case in point—The Cadillac Escalade and its ridiculous vehicular bling. The Cadillac Escalade is so desperate for attention that even I want to bark, “tone it down buddy!”
I realize that I don’t want to become as desperate and vulgar as an Escalade so that is why I asked my ex-boyfriend Peyton Manning (he came from Boxer Rescue too) and my owner Jim Hamel to contribute to this review.
Do understand that this does show sharing growth on my part but realize that this is a one-time only event—I am talking to you Peyton! Grrrr! Let go of the keyboard!
(Note: The Following is an exchange of howls and growls translated into a two-dog canine review of the 2011 Acura MDX.)
Peyton: HA! I finally got this keyboard away from you! Now it’s time for me to have all the glory! Too bad I don’t know how to spell.
Daisy Mae: Or how to read or stop drooling or stop being a mama’s boy! And if you can’t spell the words use spell check you big dummy! Am I the only dog who knows how to use a mouse and keyboard?
Peyton: Well you just kept typing then you flat faced butt sniffer! But I deserve to be a part of this review because I got rides in the MDX too, you know! Not with you, though, because you get annoyed sharing the back seat with me! I don’t know why. This Acura had enough width for even the two of us to stay separated. Or I could have ridden in the cargo area/third row.
Daisy Mae: I don’t like riding with you because you drool like a teenage girl at a Justin Bieber concert. You get drool on the leather, on the windows and on me! Luckily when Jim came back from taking you for a ride in the MDX in your new harness everything proved easy to clean.
Peyton: I have a glandular problem and a deviated septum so I can’t help the drooling! Can I continue without your interrupting? This is why we broke up and, no, you can’t have half of my toys and bones. I don’t care what your lawyer says or that we live in a community property state.
Daisy Mae: Just try and stop me, Mr. Snort and Sniff.
Peyton: Well, here goes. I really liked sitting up high in the back seat of the 2011 Acura MDX. I usually ride around in a Mini Clubman and there is no back window. Sometimes I limp and have a hard time getting into and out of cars but I found it easy to leap into the back seat of the MDX. Let me think, is there anything else I noticed?
Daisy Mae: Drop the keyboard or I’ll have you fixed…again!
Peyton: See you around guys! I guess this is what they call “irreconcilable differences.”
What Daisy Mae’s Owner Jim Hamel Said About the 2011 Acura MDX: In testing the 2011 Acura MDX both my dog Daisy Mae and my parent’s dog Peyton Manning (so named after the famous quarterback) absolutely loved riding buckled in the back seat. The ride height is low enough that even Peyton found it easy to get in without straining his arthritic joints.
As it was absolutely pouring down rain during my week with the MDX it was amazing how easy it was to wipe muddy paw prints from the interior plastics and leather. The interior of the 2011 Acura MDX may not have the flashiness or a Cadillac’s interior or the overall squishy feeling of a Lexus but it is the one that feels best equipped to withstand canine abuse.
Last year when I tested a 2010 MDX with Todd M. Allen, his wife Ann and their 3 kids I learned that this Acura easily accommodated the six of us and a rather large baby stroller. The optional rear seat DVD entertainment system was also a big hit with the kids as its screen can be adjusted for angle so everyone in every seat can see the movie.
You see, big families don’t need to buy a minivan. Unless there are 8 of you in which case I recommend you look into a Honda Odyssey and the possibility of a vasectomy. Lord knows we don’t need any more TV shows like “Jon and Kate Plus Eight.”
Vehicle Tested: 2011 Acura MDX with Tech Package
Base Price: $42,580
Price as Tested: $46,255
Options on Test Vehicle: Tech Package—(Acura voice activated navigation with Real Time Weather, Traffic and Built in Zagat Restaurant Guide, Multi-View Back-up Camera, Sport seats with Premium Leather, USB/iPod interface, GPS-Linked Tri-Zone Climate Control, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) for Song Storage, Acura/ELS 10-speaker Surround Sound Audio System)
Engine: 3.7 liter V6 with VTEC
Power: 300 horsepower/270 lb. feet of torque
Transmission: 6-speed automatic with SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive)
0-60: 7.5 seconds (estimated)
EPA Fuel Economy: 16 city/21 highway
Economy as Tested: 16.4 miles per gallon
Gas Tank Size: 21 gallons
Runs on: Premium Unleaded
Cargo Space (Behind 3rd Row)—15 cubic feet
(Behind 2nd Row)—42.9 cubic feet
Behind 1st Row)—83.5 cubic feet
Turning Radius—37.6 Cubic Feet
Curb Weight—4,550 lbs.
Tow Capacity—5,000 lbs.
Warranty—4 year/50,000 mile bumper to bumper coverage
6 years/70,000 mile powertrain coverage
Crash Test Ratings—IIHS “Top Safety Pick”
Vehicle Built in—Alliston, Ontario (Canada)
North American Parts Content—65%
Vehicle Provided by: Acura North America
Who is Daisy Mae, she is the new PAW investigative automotive writer for Bark Buckle UP. She is an 8 year old Boxer who, until recently, called Boxer Rescue Los Angeles her only home. As a senior citizen among many adorable Boxer pups, her chances of being adopted seemed pretty dim. But James Hamel, a freelance auto journalist who works from home, adopted little Miss Daisy Mae and has put her to work helping him write reviews. She now travels with him in every vehicle that he tests and offers up her unique take on what makes a vehicle or product truly “Pet Safe.”
About: Betty Smook from nose to tail she is the TOP Dog Paw Blogger with Bark Buckle UP (with a little help
from Christina "Pet Safety Lady"). Christina Selter “Pet Safety Lady” founder of Bark Buckle UP® works with first responders nationwide teaching pet safety and has buckled UP more then 10,000 pets. Education is the first step to show that pet safety is connected to human safety, which helps to save lives. Christina has been featured in more then 1200 TV, radio, segments including print and online takes media it over tens of thousands. Bark Buckle UP received more then 100 MILLION in circulations and impressions the first year and she has directed, produced several pet safety PSA’s, created Be Smart Ride Safe-take the pledge Buckle Up the whole family and currently launching the Pet Travel Airport tour to teach safe pet air travel to the public.
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