Just got my first '11 today. Base model. No changes that I can see.

 

Don't think there are any changes actually from what I have read for 2011.

Not surprising after a significant change. For example, from 2008 to 2009 the only differences were a few color changes and making power tailgates standard.

I think even the colors for 2011 are identical.

Never drove an Enclave, but don't think you can go wrong either way.

 

Have a 09 MDX and have sit in an Enclave. It's a nice car and the interior is really nice; the 3rd row (if it matters) is really usable. My only concern with it was GM reliability and if it is going to be alive (as a company) at the time I was going to buy.

 

I had many GMs years ago and they were actually the most reliable cars I ever owned, with the exception of my current 08 TSX lease.

Here's my thoughts on the Enclave.

Negs
-Interior "looks" good, but touch the pieces. Cheap plastics, tons of flex when you put any pressure on it

-Night time illumination is awful. Every section of the dash controls seems to have a slightly different green color

-Really crappy, old school, VFD display screens

-Low-tech AWD (Like most other mfrs)

Pros
- More space
- Same torque, only 12HP less, REGULAR FUEL! Come on Acura, tune for regular. I'll deal with the 12HP less.
- 2nd row seats BOTH can slide and allow access to 3rd row
- Larger wheels std.
- Articulating HIDs
- AC vents for EACH ROW of seats
-Quiet
-Remote start and OnStar

 

I'm sure this question has been asked but I haven't seen a response anywhere yet.

It appears that Acura hasn't officially changed anything on the MDX between 10 to 11. I know that had to change/update at least something even if it didn't make it into the marketing materials. Thinking like trim, plastics, etc...

Does anyone know if they made any changes, no matter how small?

Seems like the only advantage to buying a 2010 vs. a 2011 is the APR special. I've recieved quotes on 2010's for $300 below "invoice" for both Base and Tech. Seems like you can already get invoice on 2011s. 2010's are already worth less in depreciation so it might make sense to buy the 2011. Either pay a bit more in finance charges or just pay it off.

Question about the transmission. I had heard that the reason for the delay in 2010 was the new transmission. Does anyone have any additional details?

I'm down to the Enclave CXL-2 and the MDX.

Thanks!

I just bought this afternoon a 2011 MDX base for invoice $39,900 and to my surprise all is the same as 2010 except that they use now a different trans and diff fluid which will allow those untis to run even cooler (as per an Acura TQI bulletin).
I picked palladium silver/taupe and foud that evrythin inside is taupe, steering hweel, carpeting door trims and top of dash. This is also the same for the tech and tech/ent. When you get in the Advance, Advance /ent then the dask is black,door trim,carpeting and steering wheel as well as headliner...I am in Noirthern Nj and most other dealers don't even know what prices they will be asking specially those that still have 2010..of course..

 

I've been talking to 3 dealers (all three are the same company/owner). All 3 have different prices. One came in 300 below invoice for 2010. Another 500 over! One of the dealers just emailed me and said they would extend the 2010 pricing to the 2011 models. At that point I don't know why I wouldn't just buy a 2011 aside from the APR special. But even then I can get 1% higher through traditional channels.

I was specifically concerned about any transmissions changes with 2011 given the production delays/issues they had in 2010 due to the trans. I'm not surprised they made a small change even if it is just the fluid...

 

ATF-Z1 has been superceded by ATF-DW1 and can be used in most if not all past automatic transmissions (not sure about the CVT). And there is a new dedicated all wheel drive fluid that is now the factory fill for all 2011 SH-AWD units.

Next service you have done on your 2007+ MDX, your dealer will be using those fluids in the transmission and rear differential respectively instead of just using ATF-Z1 in both.

I should note that the all wheel drive fluid does not replace VTM-4 fluid. So if you have a 2001-06, you'll still get that in your rear differential.

 

Found the bulletin!

http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/SB/B10-020.pdf

SuperTech, are the 2010 and 2011 rear differentials identical in every way to the 07-09 except the fluid?

 

Found the bulletin!

http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/SB/B10-020.pdf

SuperTech, are the 2010 and 2011 rear differentials identical in every way to the 07-09 except the fluid?

The TSB is for the RDX.

 

Here it is for the MDX

http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/SB/B10-023.pdf

 

Good find! So the diff fluid is also different.

"New AWD Differential Fluid
A new differential fluid is used in all 2011 SH-AWD models. Acura All-Wheel Drive Fluid (DPSF) replaces ATF-Z1 as the recommended rear differential fluid. Acura All-Wheel Drive Fluid is designed specifically for the tough conditions in the AWD assembly.

Acura All-Wheel Drive Fluid (DPSF) is a caramel color, not pink like the previously used A/T fluid. The rear differential case is also stamped with the letters DPSF, not ATF.

NOTE: The stamping was a running change and some early production vehicles have ATF stamped on the case. Use only Acura All-Wheel Drive Fluid (DPSF) in these vehicles."

 

There is a change

I discovered a change. The gross Parchment interior color is not only avail. in 1 ext. color choice.

Plus if you want a White ext. you are not longer forced into the Parchment int. You are now forced into the Taupe which is nicer. Ebony would be best.

 

Umber is also available with the white. Just delivered one.

 

Yes but that color only comes with the Advance. I didn't do any compares for the Advance. That would be a great color combo if I could justify the price of the Advance.

 

There is also documentation that says this new DW1 ATF is now fully synthetic. More info on the new Trans fluid, found over at element owners club:
Honda atf dw-1 ??? - Honda Element Owners Club Forum

Lastest on ATF DW-1
The latest info from Honda as of September 3rd:

A new ATF is now available for all Honda vehicles. Honda ATF DW-1 was developed with the intention of improving low temperature fuel economy. DW-1 is capable of maintaining a lower viscosity at lower temperatures resulting in less energy required to move the vehicle during the warm-up period. High/normal temperature viscosity remains the same as the current ATF-Z1.

APPLICATION:
Factory Fill - All 2011+ MY Honda vehicles will come with ATF-DW1.
Mixing - Automatic Transmissions currently filled with ATF-Z1 can be filled or topped off with ATF-DW1. Mixing the two fluids will not negatively affect performance.

Storage - Dealers using bulk storage systems can mix the new ATF-DW1 with the old ATF-Z1 if necessary. However it is recommended that the existing stock of ATF-Z1 be depleted before refilling with ATF-DW1 as mixing the two does deplete the performance advantages of the DW-1.

NOTE:
When all of the transmission fluid is replaced with ATF-DW1 on a vehicle which has previously been operating with ATF-Z1, such as during a transmission or torque converter replacement, the customer may experience a change in shifting feel during cold-start at cold temperatures (below 0C). If a customer is concerned or dissatisfied with this characteristic, simply drain 1L of the ATF DW-1 and fill with 1L of ATF-Z1 to restore the original shift-feel. For this reason, you should maintain a small stock of ATF-Z1 during winter months.

 

I really haven't seen that many problems with the active dampers. The conventional rear shocks still continue to be a problem.

Look at it this way...if one of the active dampers is going to quit, it'll do it pretty quick while you're still under warranty.

 

I really haven't seen that many problems with the active dampers. The conventional rear shocks still continue to be a problem.

Look at it this way...if one of the active dampers is going to quit, it'll do it pretty quick while you're still under warranty.

When you say the rear shocks issues, is this the rear suspension noise I've been reading about? Is it a design issue that beating up the shocks OR is it a bad batch of shocks? Acura doesn't make shocks I assume.

 

I heard today that Acura and Honda will be delivering all 2011 vehicles with synthetic oil installed from the factory. I don't know if this applies to Canada only or not, but the source should be accurate seeing he is a service manager . Has anyone else seen or heard of this?

 

Perhaps the service manager confused the new ATF, which is probably synthetic with the engine oil. The only 2011's (in US at least) that are factory fill synthetic engine oil are the RDXs. Which have been that way since the RDX was released.

 

There is absolute "zero change" between 2010 and 2011 according to all 3 Acura dealerships we went to. I went ahead and bought a 2010 Tech/Ent Pkg for my wife a couple of days ago since we got a pretty good deal on it with most of the accessories that we wanted. One thing that I would like to see are electric folding mirrors and roof rails should come standard for a car in this price range but it's only my two cents.

 

I was in for service yesterday and noticed that the '11 showroom floor MDX passenger rear door did not align with the rear panel. Drivers side was okay but on the passenger side it appeared that the door sat 1/8 inch too high and there was a noticable drop to the rear panel. Anyone else notice any bodel panel alignment problems?