Fly first class: 1 year later update in REAL world conditions...

I had a Mazda Tribute and was very happy with it; great price, superb handling, thrilling power/weight ratio, even at highway speeds still lots of acceleration tucked away ready for passing.

But...I carry more than five people sometimes and needed the third row seating for holding seven. I tried the Land Rover Discovery II with the extra two "jump seats" at the back. Seats were roomy and comfortable but the truck was a handling beast, incredibly heavy and very hard on gas. I tried the Mercedes, the rear third bench is even tighter than the MDX, and the service and road reports on this vehicle have been consistently negative. A bargain was the Suzuki Vitara L-7 which is a stretched Grand Vitara with a third row. Nicely detailed cloth interior (I think leather is over rated), high/low gearing for true 4WD, and pleasant styling. Again the downside was a lot of negative reviews of rough handling, choppy, noisy ride and questionable service record. My test drives were okay but the transmission shifting was stiff and notchy, and there were odd buttons and controls that even the salesman was poor at explaining. Not quite enough horsepower for such a heavy vehicle too. I had a Mazda MPV 4WD van in the past which was a great vehicle, but at 160 hp and 4200 lbs was grossly underpowered. Highway passing was nerve wracking and needed downhill help and long sightlines! Like my old VW van!

The Acura is pricy (though cheaper in Canada where they are built than the US), but...It has the clever "sink into the floor" third row seats. According to my teenage kids who are about 5'8", two can sit comfortably up to about two hours then their bums go numb. The second row seating is very roomy with luxurious leg room, even with the front seats set way back, and the middle folds down into a nice arm rest/cupholder like first class airline seats. They also have their own air/heat/vent controls which is nice. The front seats are very nicely built, lots of adjustments, lumbar support for the driver and fast heating in the seats. Unfortunately no lumbar heating due to interference with the side air bag sensors. (These side bags switch off automatically if someone is slumped against a window or in the way of the air bag path.)

The feeling is literally like flying first class. Ground bumps and unpaved gravel roads are sucked up into a gentle roll with no rough ride or disturbance. The wind makes a steady hiss outside, not unpleasant, similar to the background white noise of an aircraft. The engine is a barely audible rumble that when pressed hard shows that it's there, otherwise it disappears. Handling is smooth and precise, not nimble and reactive like the Tribute, but steady like a minivan style. Acceleration is like a plane, you get the feeling a large mass is moving quickly, as opposed to the Tribute which feels light on it's feet and almost darts away. Highway acceleration for passing is not as "available" as the Tribute, but builds up steady and is there when you need it. The 240 hp divided by the 4300 lbs body weight is 18 lbs/hp, while the Tribute is 200hp pulling 3200 lbs, or 16 lbs/hp and you definately feel the difference. In comparison my 98 Mazda MPV was 26 lbs/hp, enough said. Try doing the math on other SUVs, most are similar in that 18-20 lbs/hp range, with performance differences in their gearing and engine torque curves. I would be wary about any 4WD SUV over 22 lbs/hp.

Fit and finish is excellent, typical Acura. The 6 CD system is simple to use with superb sound. Controls in the steering wheel make for easy volume and track selection with your thumb. The non-navigational display, about the size and look of a small computer screen shows compass direction, outside temp, fuel and travel statistics, and some heat/ac vent control info. It is almost embarrasingly gimmicky in an otherwise classy vehicle. I have seen a lot of comments about the fake wood plastic trim, but hey it actually looks nice and isn't fooling anyone. My concern would be that is has a high gloss finish in areas that will get lots of wear and tear between the seats and will look scratched up in no time.

My canoe is fine on the roof rack. The sunroof makes a fair bit of wind roar when open, another obligatory but possible over rated feature.

I drive equal country unpaved gravel/rough roads, and highway. I don't do serious off roading although rutted muddy roads is getting pretty close. The average decaying gravel road is handled smoothly and quietly. I had my MDX undercoated with the sound absorbing spray because of the rock chips and gravel, and I believe it makes a noticeable difference. I hardly hear anything at 60 mph on rough gravel.

Everything is as expected and promised. Although I enjoyed the Tribute and still recommend it for a five-seater, the MDX is great for families still carrying kids to cottages with needs for lots of carrying room. Imagine flying first class, and you've pretty well got the picture.

UPDATE:
One year and 20,000 miles later: I did a major solo 5000 mile drive across the Canadian prairies in the dead of winter, through Montana, Utah, Idaho, Nevada and California. The seat position switches made easy and safe on-the-fly adjustments when my bum or back needed a change. It was the worst weather I have ever driven in, with frequent white-outs, deep snow, gritty constant slush flying up from trucks,hours of glare and black ice, and misty greasy California highways. All those cute ads showing SUVs whirling through fields and up hills are bogus compared to the real world conditions of winter driving. The MDX behaved well; the 4-AWD slipped in and out without any negative effects on control, in fact it held me to the road many times. The solid steering and low centre of gravity were excellent on ice-surfaces and in windy conditions. The consistent power and handling definitely improved my driving confidence and comfort. I frequently checked the dash outside air temp thermometer to watch when the weather crept above and below freezing. In the real, non-pretty ad of driving I was grateful and impressed, and hustled down the I-15 rarely being passed and maintaining 24 mpg.

Two complaints: First: Never use home-labelled or library CDs (with the little metal security tape) or you will jam the CD player. I ended up having mine replaced and Acura will not warranty them after one replacement. The quirky 6 CD pack holder can't handle anything thicker than a standard, non labelled CD.
Second, the wind noise is still aggravating and makes use of the sunroof over 50 mph completely impractical. In addition, a good cross wind will start a whistle in the driver's mirror that sounds like a demonic organist on one note. Apparently Honda has made design changes to the mirrors, roofrack and windshield glass thickness to reduce these problems for 2002 (although my dealer new nothing of it).

Final rec: I'm even more impressed after some very tough driving than I was before...but...test drive the 2002 before you buy a second hand 2001 and see if you can tell the difference in interior sound levels. Go with someone and don't tell them and see if they pick up on any difference. If you (and they)can't tell then buy the 2001, if there is a noticeable drop then go for the 2002. Your choice!