[misterjon]

Quick question for all you MDXers (I myself am still waiting for delivery...) Have you found the width of the MDX a problem when it comes to parking? I'm currently driving a QX4 which is sometimes a tight squeeze, and the MDX is nearly 5 inches wider. I'd appreciate your thoughts.

 

[dbarry]

The garage can be a tight fit. I have a two car garage, but it uses two garage doors. At the tightest spot I have about 5" clearance from the mirrors.

 

[acbrown]

I was somewhat concerned with the width as well, since it is 6" wider than the Honda Accord that I was used to. However, now that we've got it, it really does not seem wide at all. I would say that I'm a bit more cautious when parking in tight spaces, but it's never been much of an issue.

 

[ifeldman]

When I first started to look for a new SUV, I was looking at the RX300. I thought the new crossover SUVs would be small in width, compared to my Ford Windstar minivan.

When I decided on the MDX, I was worried about its width. It seemed about the same as my Windstar. I never really actually measured or checked the actual width.

Now that Im actually driving the MDX, I dont notice its width. This is mostly due to its tighter turning radius. It lets me park a lot easier than my Windstar. The turning radius is much less than the RX300.

I do watch where I park to avoid dings, but that would hold true whether the MDX was 5 inches less in width.

I also noticed that the left windshield washer is a good indicator for centering the MDX on the road.

 

[frostyra]

I never had particular trouble with the BODY width compared to my '93 Explorer, but it took me a long time to get used to the wider TRACK -- I kept scrubbing tires on curbs. In parking lots, I always park as far as I can from crowds of cars; the walk to wherever I'm going is farther, but walking is good exercise!

 

[RedMdxMemphis]

I begin to get used to the size (width) but I avoid being in the middle of the tight street when there are 3 lanes or more going down the road. Size is relative.. if you think MDX is big, then try other monster SUVs...

MDX is definitely bigger than the sedans but the ability to turn around easily is wonderful. It gives you the confident when you need to make a 180 degree turn on a two lane street. Normally I don't even need to do a reverse in the process.

 

[GaTadpole777]

Misterjon, I have had no problems with the width of

the width of the MDX. I park it in the garage next to a 2000 Cadillac DTS and I have no trouble getting in and out of the MDX without hitting the DTS.

One caution for you, be careful if you wear several rings as diamonds and other stones will scratch the door just above the door handle...had to take my wife's DTS to the shop and she drove my MDX for a couple of days...alas, the one inch scratch...she even admitted it. I got over it but still don't like it.

You will love the MDX.

TAD

 

[Strong]

I haven't found the width a problem. Drives and parks better then my '97 Explorer. We have a 2 car garage (one door) and it isn't any closer then before. I solved the "garage ding" problem with a patio lounge chair cushion hung from the ceiling between the X and my husbands Ranger. That has been a real saver. And you can color coordinate with Maddie.

 

[BorisSWort]

I thought the MDX was too wide until I watched a Frontline show on PBS last night that discussed the history of the SUV. I learned the wider a vehicle, the less prone the vehicle will be to rolling over, so I guess the width won't bother me as much.

 

[gadgetdog]

not really that wide...

I was really concerned with the width before we got it. Now it's a non-issue except when we want it in the garage. u do have to pay much more attention when u pull into a single well garage. I wish my two car garage didn't have two doors.

as for the parking lot, its not a problem, but it will not fit well in a compact car slot. Well, it will fit, but I'm worried about the doors.

 

[JR8]

Southern california

Misterjon, I see you live in S. California! I just moved out here from Ind. a year ago and I think the parking spots in California are the smallest on the planet! All the parking spots in the state are made for compacts!! I currently drive a grand prix gtp and it seems like I am always squezing out of car after I park.

I can't tell you what it is like with an MDX, because mine hasn't arrived yet either. I was apprehensive about this, but I felt the safety, dependability, and luxury is worth the hassle of parking in no-mans land at the local grocery store.

 

[Fireblade6]

WIDE IS BETTER

I dont necessarily like ALL THINGS wide such as women...But when it comes to cars or SUVs...I LIKE them WIDE...I mean WIDE as I can get. So since I cant afford a 125,000.00 Hummer..I had to settle for an MDX...HEHEHE kidding..but that is what attracted me to the MDX. With its width I find that quick turning and driving and curvy roads make me feel safe. It doesnt feel like the vehicle is going to flip.

 

[Acura3]

Wide Body

You get used to it. Because the X tracks so well, doesn't wander one iota, you will quickly adjust to the extra width. Pays off in the magnifcent elbow room!

 

[vicpai]

MDX width - my 2 cents

Quick question for all you MDXers (I myself am still waiting for delivery...) Have you found the width of the MDX a problem when it comes to parking? I'm currently driving a QX4 which is sometimes a tight squeeze, and the MDX is nearly 5 inches wider. I'd appreciate your thoughts. [/QUOTE

I was 99% sold on the MDX and was very close to buying it because of it's excellent attributes of performance, fuel economy, decent off-road ability AND THAT EXCELLENT NAVIGATION SYSTEM, besides being a previous Acura owner and almost bought it (due to lack of alternative choices), but finally decided not to, because of JUST ONE REASON - THE WIDTH - Please see my posts in the comparisons section under "Lexus GX 470".

Depending on what's important to you, the width of the MDX could be a severe hindrance if you treasure manuverability and ease-of-driving and parking in a vehicle. On the other hand if you're buying the MDX as toy that you will be using mainly on interstates / highways and mostly on long trips from one part of the U.S. to another and then park it on the outskirts of town and rent a more compact vehicle to travel in the city........ sure.....

I too was concerned about the MDX width initially, but the actual decision to not buy the MDX came about recently about couple months back when I had the opportunity to live with/drive my friend's 2001 MDX for 3 days. (Coincidentially the Lexus GX 470 was unvieled a few weeks later....but that's another story) I personally found the MDX to be a real chore to drive in the city (here in L.A.) and parking was a real nightmare.......I remember renting a Ford Expedition on a previous occasion and being totally appalled with it's manuverability and the MDX didn't feel much different to that experience (that's because it is practically almost the same width (MDX is 77 and Expedition is 78)........However, I must say that when it came to driving on the open freeway it was a blast to drive,...... and I also must say that my friend does love his MDX to pieces, but then again, he is an older, RETIRED gentleman who hardly ever comes to town, lives in the country (Valencia, CA) where parking is as plentiful as water in the ocean and his commute pretty much involves an evening drive to the golf course or an occasional cross country trip to visit relatives.

It is really sad that the MDX is such a super vehicle in almost every way, but the designers just had to go overboard with the width to claim some sort of title of "widest track in it's class" or something like that.....they went too extreme on the handling/stability aspect and did not do a good job of balancing real-world-liveability with handling.

I'm sure they could have kept the MDX at a reasonable 73-74 inches of width and still achieved good stability - as in most spacious midsize SUVs. (Trailblazer is 74.6 inches- I've driven a Trailblazer and it feels just as stable in turns as an MDX, Jeep Grand Cherokee is 72.3, RX 300 is 71.5,.....and here's the real kicker.....the BMW X5 is 73.7 inches wide and it's handling and stability are most definitely superior to the MDX - and this is in TOTAL CONTRADICTION to some on the forum who keep repeating the same old "wider-is-better" slogan - (and I'm sure most folks, even on this forum, would agree with me that the BMW X5 is probably the best handling SUV out there - even though I don't necessarily like the X5 for other reasons such as poor reliability, bad value etc., facts are facts....and the X5 almost drives like a sports sedan true to it's "ultimate driving machine" tag-line

To sum it all up, I PERSONALLY feel the MDX is too wide to comfortably drive and live with, if you live in a metro area of the U.S.. On the other hand if you live out in the country, or even one of the smaller towns like Grand Forks, North Dakota (no pun intended, I lived here for 4 yrs) then it's a totally different story. In fact if I did not live in L.A. but somewhere in the midwest I probably would have ended up with the MDX (over the Lexus GX 470 which I'll be buying) for it's other wonderful attributes. The MDX is a wonderful machine albeit not a very practical one (of course, that depends on how you DEFINE practical and one person's practicality may be total uselessness to someone else).......and I'll leave you with another thought.....How often are you going to transport an 8" by 4" plywood sheet on a regular basis?? the very aspect that many point out to justify the MDX's width.......unless, of course, you are in some sort of furniture construction business and use your MDX everyday for this purpose.....and it's not like you totally coudn't transport that same 8 by 4 piece of wood in a slightly narrower SUV - it would just sit at a slight incline instead of perfectly flat....and is this a good enough reason to SACRIFICE everyday driveability and liveability?? - at least I think certainly not - In fact I'd be very surprised if even 20% of the MDX owners ever use their vehicle on a regular basis for such ambitious cargo hauling missions.......and that goes for the "famed" 7-passenger capabiity as well (This attribute, however, is great because it does not compromise the MDX in any other way (mostly since this affects length and the MDX is just the perfect length - just right for it's midsize classification)!!

 

[MDXLuvr]

I was waiting for vicpai to chime in.

I bought the MDX BECAUSE i liked the width. I felt the other SUV's were not wide enuff. Width increases roominess(elbow space, carrying large loads etc), and reduces risk of rollovers. However, it does make the 'X a little more difficult to park. In Tx, parking spots are quite wide, so parking is not a issue for me.

btw, Vicpai- IMHO you seem to be a little too obsessed with the width issue. I agree that the width would be a significant issue for your profession, and location, but to say that somebody would have to park their MDX in the outskirts of town and rent a compact to travel in the city is IMHO ludicrous.

 

[Strong]

I suppose if you live in the "big city" you might have a problem with the parking, but I live in a "small community" where parking is not limited (except at the mall at Christmas). As I have said before the width was not an issue with me. I had also driven an Expedition and there is NO compaision between the two. I needed the extra width for my "cargo" and I felt it made a difference in the handling. Weigh the pros and cons of the different SUVs with what you personally need in a vehicle. That is what really matters (otherwise, we would all be driving the same thing!). If parking is a real problem you might try the VW. The Lexus was a VERY nice vehicle and if it had been up to my husband we would have driven off the lot with it but it just was NOT big enough (length or width) and I didn't like the center "console". It has alot of really nice features and would probably be suited better for "city life". But I will stick with my MDX and have not regreted the decision for 1 minute! .

 

[wlind]

The width of the MDX is a bonus to all of it's other great features.
That's what gives it such a spacous feeling inside and allows comfortable 3 people seating in the secound row. It fits into my garage better than my wife's Grand Marquis which is about as wide as the MDX but much longer (188" vs 212"). My prior SUV was a Toyota 4 Runner which is much narrower than the MDX. I'm still getting use to the extra width of the Mdx driving (only 5 days old) but no problems at all. Parking is easy since tha MDX has a tight turnig radius, except for being nervous that careless people will ding with their doors. No difference with my wife's Marquis. The MDX is very maneuverable and is to drive around town, just have to get to judging the right side. No other SUV comes close to all the features of the MDX, IMHO!

 

[vicpai]

Strong, I totally agree with you......

I suppose if you live in the "big city" you might have a problem with the parking, but I live in a "small community" where parking is not limited (except at the mall at Christmas). As I have said before the width was not an issue with me. I had also driven an Expedition and there is NO compaision between the two. I needed the extra width for my "cargo" and I felt it made a difference in the handling. Weigh the pros and cons of the different SUVs with what you personally need in a vehicle. That is what really matters (otherwise, we would all be driving the same thing!). If parking is a real problem you might try the VW. The Lexus was a VERY nice vehicle and if it had been up to my husband we would have driven off the lot with it but it just was NOT big enough (length or width) and I didn't like the center "console". It has alot of really nice features and would probably be suited better for "city life". But I will stick with my MDX and have not regreted the decision for 1 minute! .

....that if you lived in a small community or even anywhere other than the MAJOR METROPOLISES of the U.S. - New York, L.A., Chicago etc. etc. then the MDX's width would not even be an issue. In fact I did mention in my post that if I lived somewhere in the midwest I would have ended up buying the MDX I can definitely tell the difference in driving conditions from personal experience as I've lived in a number of U.S. cities in the 28 years since my birth , and as JR8 so rightfully mentioned, California (especially Southern California is a driving and parking nightmare). We have the narrowest parking spots (and that's if any are available at all ) and to make matters even worse most of them are EVEN narrower "compact"-only spots. To add to the confusion, we have some of the narrowest streets and highways in the counrty and also some of the shortest on-ramps you can imagine to enter the freeways (of course, in this respect the MDX will excel as it's acceleration will help get to freeway speed real quick).......believe it or not some of them virtually make a right-angle turn straight onto the freeway with practically no room to accelerate......maybe that's why I see so many Porsches around ......

Yes, the Lexus RX 300 would be a perfect vehicle for "city-life" , and especially here in L.A. Unless you absolutely need and use on a REGULAR BASIS the extra passenger and cargo carrying capacity it is totally senseless to make such a big compromise. - Mind you I'm saying this with reference to only people who live in large metro/city areas

and BTW the RX 300 as great as it's exterior dimensions are, has ONE MAJOR DESIGN FLAW. It's turning circle is an UNACCEPTABLE 41.7 feet COMPLETELY DEFEATING THE PURPOSE OF IT'S COMPACT SIZE.....makes me wonder how such a glaring mistake can be made by these engineers , especially considering that the MUCH MUCH LARGER LX 470 has a much tighter 39.7 foot t.circle

 

[lmeans]

MDX too wide?

No I don't think it's a big problem. But we to have a 2 car garage and we also have an Expedition so with the MDX, Expedition, work bench and a huge freezer, it's a tight squeeze. But driving and parking, no problem.

 

[misterjon]

Thank you!

Thanks everyone for your responses. I'm pretty sure I'll be okay in my garage -- I'm more concerned with the Southern California mini mall parking lot (where half the spaces are marked "compact"). Anyone have any experience with that?

Thanks again.