Orlando Sentinel's view

It’s a small but telling point about the redesigned Acura MDX: Like a lot of premium vehicles with adjustable suspensions, the MDX has a button that offers a softer ride in the “comfort” setting and a slightly harsher, firmer ride in the “sport” setting. Hop into the MDX and start the engine, and the suspension setting starts out in “sport” mode. If you want “comfort,” you have to press the button.

This is the opposite of most every other vehicle, especially in the SUV universe. Acura assumes that an MDX customer might appreciate comparatively nimble handling, even at the very minor cost of a slightly stiffer ride. A stiff suspension corners better than a soft one. You want soft, you press the button. Or buy something else.

The Acura MDX was introduced as a 2001 model, and sales have been brisk since. Styling was generic and inoffensive, and though the MDX did everything well — even handling mild to moderate off-roading with aplomb — it lacked personality.

For this second-generation MDX, Acura took a few chances. Both the exterior and interior design are polarizing — outside, this is a more dynamic MDX, slightly more edgy and angular but not cold. Inside, the kind-of-cordovan leather upholstery (Bordeaux, Acura calls it) looked nicely European.

Instruments and controls blend nicely with the flowing dashboard that has, as a centerpiece, a big color screen for the navigation system, operated by a large knob mounted below the stereo and climate controls. I was prepared not to like this shift from Acura’s traditional touch-screen navigation system, but the new one was very easy to use.

Under the hood, the 3.5-liter V-6 has grown to 3.7 liters, upping horsepower from 253 to an ample 300. This seven-seater is no lightweight, though, due in part to the full-time all-wheel-drive system, so fuel mileage isn’t very good at an EPA-rated 17 miles per gallon city, 22 mpg highway. And the engine prefers premium gasoline. There is, at least, plenty of power, smoothly delivered to the five-speed automatic transmission.

In keeping with Acura’s longtime pricing policy, there’s one base MDX model and a few option packages. The base MDX is well-equipped. It starts at $39,995, and if you add options — there are sport, technology and entertainment “packages” — the price can climb to $47,795, or $48,465 with shipping. That was our test MDX, which had pretty much everything, including a rear-seat DVD player, a power tailgate and an exceptionally good 10-speaker sound system. Safety equipment abounded, too, including stability control, anti-lock brakes, side and side-curtain air bags, and even a stability system for trailer towing, as the MDX can pull 5,000 pounds.

The 2007 MDX is just a little longer than last year’s model. The third-row seat isn’t the smallest we’ve seen, but certainly kids will be happier back there than adults. With all seats in place, there’s an adequate 15 cubic feet of storage space in the rear.

On the road, the MDX is an excellent traveling partner, with lots of sound-deadening material that makes for a quiet ride. On the expressway, go ahead and punch the “comfort” button for the suspension setting; the ride is above average.

As is the whole vehicle, for that matter. The MDX has always been competent, but now it’s a little bit fun, too. And for a seven-passenger SUV, that’s commendable.

Sentinel Automotive Editor Steven Cole Smithcan be reached at scsmith@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5699.