The 2001 MDX was Acura's answer to the BMW X5 and the Lexus RX300. The MDX has three rows of seats in a leather which can help hide the dirt brought in by those occupying the rear seats.

The standard engine is a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 240 horsepower and 246 lb-ft of torque. Don't like that engine? Too bad....it's all there was.

Mileage is fairly good for a larger SUV, with 17 city and 23 highway. The navigation system was very advanced for 2001, but wouldn't be quite so impressive now.

I test drove this car in 2001 and would have driven off the lot with one if not for a bad salesman. Reviews of it are generally positive, although many are quick to point out that the 2001 MDX is built on the Honda Odyssey platform, and the SUV is a little to minivan-like for them. While some call the styling "chunky," I thought it was kind of "big-butty" - seemed like the MDX was carrying a little too much weight in its behind. However, to this day, I still remember the soft feel of the leather on the steering wheel, soft as a Cole Haan wallet I had at the time.