After close inspection and driving the MDX when it became available for testing at my local dealer a few days ago, I decided to buy the XC which was the competing vehicle on my short list. As the choice has only just become available, this decision might interest some others making a similar decision.

In brief, I was a little disappointed with the MDX. The acceleration with 240 hp compared with 200 hp of the XC is cancelled out by the 600 lbs of extra weight and the performance seems more sluggish than the XC. I don't personally like a foot activated parking brake; a large screen for the optional navigation system takes up prime central real estate (compared with the optional XC pop-up)which is even more inconvenient if the option is not purchased (not available in Canada). The screen is used entirely for the trip functions only and relegates the relatively poor a/c controls to a small space above, and the radio/cd is below and therefore relatively non-optimally placed. Manual gear shifting of the automatic uses a gate only for the gear shift unlike other high end Acura models which have the additional equivalent of the XC geartronic up/down shift. I found the interior to be rather bland and hardly luxurious for the high purchase price - the seats are certainly not as comfortable as in the XC; the 2 interior colors are factory specified for the selected body color i.e cannot be separately chosen as for the XC. The second row seat backs do not seem to fold down as flat and positively as the XC. The step up height is about 5 inches more than the XC. Much is being made of the disappearing 3rd row seats. Of course, additional rear facing child seats can be purchased for the XC for those who need them (which I don't). The cargo area is about the same in depth and about an inch wider between the wheel arches in the MDX. To be able to place four feet wide plywood/drywall panels flat is useful compared with tilting them above one of the wheel arches for the XC, for the occasional visit to the lumber yard. While the cladding on the XC might not appeal to everyone compared with the body color plastic panels on the MDX, I appreciate some resilience against minor dents and scratches on the XC. Various protective moldings are available as options for the MDX which would increase the price closer to the XC. Road noise on the MDX is probably a little lower than the XC - without instrumentation this may be a misperception. Some tire noise can be expected from the rather aggressive Pirelli tires on the XC but I find it less than I would have expected and quite acceptable. Perhaps the MDX will appeal to minivan drivers who are looking for similar seating with the trendyness of the SUV and who really do prefer a higher seating position for the same ground clearance as the XC.

In summary, despite my reservations at becoming a new Volvo user after many years of Acuras with regard to reliability (the subject of a previous message for which I received some very well reasoned responses)I find for my personal needs and preferences that the XC design, styling, comfort and performance are superior across the board. Only time will tell whether my trust in Volvo to give me reasonable reliability is justified. In the meantime, despite the additional cost, the XC is the clear winner for me. I would be interested in other opinions although I have now signed the purchase contract!