just bought an MDX

[JBM]

This has been a very interesting thread. I have been in the MDX vs X5 dilemma for a little bit of time now. Although the X5 is a nice vehicle, the price difference does make everyone at least consider the MDX.

I do agree the the MDX does have a multitude of buttons in the center stack. A problem that most car magazines have also been reiterating. I think that came from the fact that they had to mount the LCD screen so far away from the driver. I had a 05 TL and that nav was great. The touchscreen really allowed a great interface for the car. However, with the LCD so far away from the driver in the MDX, they had to resort to so many buttons.

After test driving both cars, I have to agree, on some level, that the X5 has better handling characteristics compared to the MDX. When I had originally tested both, it was a bit snowy out. I took both to a empty parking lot and tried a few slaloms around light poles (I know, don't tell the dealers I did that), as well as tried to put both in to a spin (doin' donuts in the parking lot, just like high school). Now, it being a bit slushy snow and about 2 inches of it, they both were a little loose in the turns. However, the X5 recovered better in the slalom and gave more feedback in the steering wheel with each turn. The MDX did give much more in the slalom and sliding was very apparent. With both vehicles stability controls on, I could not put either into a spin.

As for the iDrive verus Acura's nav . . . it has taken me a while to get used to the iDrive coming from the Acura system. I like the iDrive, however, it could use a great deal of improvement. Some of the benefits of the Acura system, which is not possible on the iDrive are:
1. Ability to look up locations by phone number.
2. Ability to look up locations by name alone (the iDrive system requires you to put in a location first before looking up the POI. The problem is that let's say you live in Chicago and hear about a restaurant. You assume it's in Chicago, but it's actually located in a suburb very nearby. You put it into your iDrive using Chicago as the location, but it doesn't show up. You have to know which suburb it's in before the iDrive can find it).

As for the interiors of the two cars, I think I'm just getting used to the German style of interiors. I will say that I wish BMW would use a contrasting color to the orange. For example, the MDX uses blue for interior lighting and contrasts that with white. It would be nice to look at the BMW gauges in orange and have either the numbers or the needles be white to provide a bit more contrast. But I think that's just my taste.

The one complaint my wife had about the interior was the placement of the rear DVD package in the X5. One swift kick by a kid and there goes the screen. I like the MDX's placement with wireless controls, but unfortunately this placement prevents the placement of a panoramic sunroof. I think a better solution for both vehicles would have been a in the headrest DVD system.

Just thought I'd participate . . . .

[MD11F]

Originally Posted by ccjung

The best comparison (save it for another thread) is that of Windows mobile vs. iphone.

well said... good example of ergonomic design. Capability is only 1/2 the equation, you have to be able to access the capability in a safe and timely manner too.

[X5FX]

One more thing the X5 has that the MDX doesnt- The nice exterior ambient lighting. And speaking of lighting, the headlights do a better job illuminating the road on the X5.

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by X5FX

for my wife.... Very nice ride, but this vehicle is not in the same league as my X5.

I realize this has been discussed at length, but since I now have a 2007 X5 and 2007 MDX in the same garage I thought I would start a new thread and compare the two.

As discussed before, the technology on the MDX is very sweet. The voice commands work perfectly nearly 100% of the time as opposed to my X5 who only repeats back "I dont understand that command". The rearview camera is far superior, it has about twice the resolution as the X5, it works great in low light and has a significantly wider angle. The MDX does not have the overlay lines for parking assist which come in handy.

The X5 excels in build quality and refinement...it looks like a luxury car. The MDX lacks the class and small attention to detail that the BMW has. The dash on the MDX looks much cheaper, the overhead lights, controls, etc all look cheap compared to the X5. The sheer amount of buttons is overwhelming on the MDX, and honestly it really does not have any more functionality.

I really appreciate the iDrive even more now. I'll post more details once I spend more time in the MDX...but overall the X5 is well worth the cost difference IMO.

glad to hear the American made ride excelled in those points

Enjoy both.

[E61Silver]

Do you think that the MDX harder ride is related to the sport package?

[alexmish]

I did an extensive comparison of MDX vs X5 just prior to placing the order. MDX is nice, but it screams Honda all over it. I used to own 05 Honda Odyssey Touring, and many controls of MDX resemble those of the minivan. And the test one I drove (with the sports package) rattled from the day one. If you want value for your money, get the MDX. If you want driving enjoyment - get the X5.

[rh71]

does it actually separate chinese food from japanese food because I was navigating around and only saw an option for "asian". I had to discern it from the name of the restaurant.

Didn't use voice.

[X5FX]

Not really sure. I never drive the car, but I do seem to recall saying "nearest chinese food" and it immediatly presented the list.

[X5audi]

Originally Posted by X5FX

As discussed before, the technology on the MDX is very sweet. The voice commands work perfectly nearly 100% of the time as opposed to my X5 who only repeats back "I dont understand that command". The rearview camera is far superior, it has about twice the resolution as the X5, it works great in low light and has a significantly wider angle. The MDX does not have the overlay lines for parking assist which come in handy.

The X5 excels in build quality and refinement...it looks like a luxury car. The MDX lacks the class and small attention to detail that the BMW has. The dash on the MDX looks much cheaper, the overhead lights, controls, etc all look cheap compared to the X5. The sheer amount of buttons is overwhelming on the MDX, and honestly it really does not have any more functionality.

Yay

[X5audi]

Also... where are the POIs located in the X5's nav? I haven't played around with the system much, only using what I really "need" to, but I'm curious.

For the next time I'd like to find a decent restaurant or gas station (which we all need to go to a lot, you know), it would be very helpful.