EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Is the 3rd row seat in the new Acura MDX dangerous?

Good point. They stuffed it in there so they can claim 7 passenger utility. I guess you would probably put the neighbors kids back there though, leaving yours in the safer middle row.

— mitchatlexusofmarin (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2006 1:40:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Er, Mitch. Um ... huh.

— crackityjones (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2006 1:45:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Probably safer riding on the roof....Zoom, Zoom, Zoom

WTF ?!?!?! This third row is for my mother in-law...

— bubbahotep (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2006 1:50:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

this is dumb... the only reason its like that is because the Head-rests are raised as high as possible... stupid post... lower them back down and the look at it... no one has a neck that long that they would need to be that high... besides the lift gate is not flat up and down, looking at another angle it looks like there would be plenty of room even with the head rest all the way up.

— KinGofNY (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2006 1:52:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

It appears that there's enough room between the closed glass and the headrests to be okay.

— senorgato (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2006 2:04:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I don't think people at Acura would not notice such a thing if it's not safe...

— Luxurious (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2006 2:07:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Agree with 4 the haters,the head rests are raised.Otherwise it would be fine.

BTW Acura is one of the most safest AUTO Brand today.

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2006 2:23:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I've sold them for years (17), so I have some experience regarding these vehicles. The position of the third row is nearly identical to what its been for the last 6 years. At this point, there hasn't been any reported or otherwise noted issues about the safety of the third row in a rear impact. In this class, its one of the roomiest third seats, but having said that, its still relatively tight. There is a new 50 mph rear collision test that the insurance institute or the gov't will be doing to test the safety of a rear impact from now on.

— golfer38 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2006 2:46:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

That is trully amusing. In addition to little fingers and arms, someone's long hair might get caught in the tailgate trapping them there.

I never approved of a third sitting row in mid-sized SUVs. If you want a people hauler, get a freaking van. The Odysey for example is great and looks sporty enough.

— vdiv (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2006 5:08:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Did you notice that the headrests were fully extended? If you had younger kids back there, their heads wouldn't be in the way of the tailgate.

— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2006 5:36:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

One question, What kind of car has a bumper that high?

This is such a bogus post. Let's see BMW's new X5 and its 3rd row.

Acura makes one of the safest car in the US. And the MDX with 5,500lbs is by no means light weight.

— aznstuart (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2006 5:37:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Technically it is probably okay, but it shows how little space there is. Definately a third row in a car that isn't big enough for it.

— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2006 6:06:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

As was previously stated...this is a stupid article that is obviously geared at starting an Acura bashing party. The MDX is expected to score among the top 10 safest cars with the advanced safety systems employed. Get the facts before posting from now on

— 66Mustang (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2006 8:08:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Most third-row seats in SUVs are useless. They are too uncomfortable and cramped for adults and too dangerous for children if the vehicle is rear ended. They take up valuable cargo space unless you happen to have a Cadillac Escalade ESV.

— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2006 8:37:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Hey Mitch! That would be a great pitch to use in your sales presentations, we need to cull the herd in Marin anyway! A local friend, hint: we worked together at Porsche! Cheers!

— CaliAutobroker (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2006 8:52:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Looks that way, but is it any more dangerous than a hatchback's backseat? Height advantage might make a difference.

A 3rd row seat is kind of pointless in a vehicle that small.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2006 9:55:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

lookk at this photo from www.familycar.com there appears to be more than enough room in the rear!

http://familycar.com/RoadTests/AcuraMDX/Images2007/Hatch.jpg

— JCF110 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2006 12:05:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Thanks Carboy :')

— mitchatlexusofmarin (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2006 12:16:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

well..it's no Q7~!

— tecnopolis (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2006 3:54:12 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

From day one,i am against the 3 rows of seating in a mid-size SUV.As they are pretty much useless.

BTW,Q7's third row seats also have their issues.They r no example for anyone.

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2006 6:16:42 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Just what do you need a 3rd row seat for? Someone please explain. Most families at most have 2 kids. Is it an SUV or a school bus? I just do not understand this obsession with a 3rd row seat in these SUVs.

I guess it goes hand in hand with the glutonous mcmansions of 3000+ sq feet for 4 people.

— tincanman99 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2006 1:11:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

What can you about this SUV.

It has Godzilla headlights.

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2006 1:21:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I am shocked that you Japanese and European lovers didn't say that an American designed this SUV.

— rocker (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2006 3:27:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

As much as everyone bashes the US car companies for building SUV's and no recognizes the fact that all foreign car companies are trying to develop and produce medium and large SUV's. Has anyone bitched about the shitty gas mileage a Toyota Sequoia gets?

— rocker (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2006 3:31:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Toyota Sequioa's get god-awful gas mileage.

(bitching completed)

— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2006 5:22:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

i think i'm going to start blaming toyota for everything.
;)

— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2006 1:19:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

You do know that this new MDX is one of the few vehicles on the road to pass the latest Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 301 test, right? FMVSS 301 crashes a 3,015 pound barrier moving at 50 mph (80kph)at an offset (70%) into the rear of the vehicle. This regulation is being phased in right now, existing vehicles won't pass it without structure modifications; the old regulation was at 30mph. That makes it safer in a rear crash than most of the vehicles on the road.

http://hondanews.com/CatID0000?mid=2006090870453&mime=asc

— lateapex (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2006 2:07:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I live 5 miles from Anaheim, but I'm not going to this autoshow because I refuse to pay $18 bucks to park and get in.

Other than that those tail lights on the new MDX look like they're off a Volkswagen or an Audi SUV's.

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2006 2:20:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

It appears the seatbacks in the third row of the pictured MDX are in their most-reclined position. For everyone worried about being so close the hatch and glass, simply adjust the seatbacks to a more upright position. Reclining 2nd & 3rd row seats were standard in earlier MDXs; It seems logical this is standard in the '07 as well. For those wanting a better look at the '07 MDX, go to www.acura.ca. The US website isn't showing the new model yet. regards....

— MMUR (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2006 10:11:14 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Yes if a truck or anything that size hits it.

— nine (View Profile)

Posted on 10/8/2006 4:01:06 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Typical SUV design...small on the inside, big on the outside.

— t_bone (View Profile)

Posted on 10/8/2006 10:35:20 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

the rear seat shouldn't be so close to the rear window, there isn't much to protect the occupant. here is the old mdx

http://vehock.dns2go.com/fca53041.jpg

— Kyle (View Profile)

Posted on 10/8/2006 11:49:51 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

BS picture!

— aznstuart (View Profile)

Posted on 10/8/2006 6:29:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

By the way...

I love the new RDX.

I don't know what everyone has against it. It looks better than the X3 on the road, but that's not saying much.

However, I can understand why people hate the new MDX. I don't see why the last one was so great (mediocre style inside and out, ho-hum engine and accomodations) and sold so well, and the new one doesn't change my perceptions.

— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 10/9/2006 12:31:17 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

They should have left the third row out, it looks like they really squeezed it in, wouldn't want to be back there in a rear-ender!

— JJ80 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/9/2006 12:52:57 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Hey, TheDonII, Mitch was just joking about the neighbors' kids. Where's your sense of humor?

— JDuerk (View Profile)

Posted on 10/10/2006 1:57:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I think the design is quite awesome! the interior, awesome as well! its not boxy like most suv's and it's a little more upscale in design than them as well! the only thing holding me back is the fact that EVERY ACURA made has to use PREMIUM UNLEADED fuel!!! Ridiculous!! So not the bad gas mileage crap, the fact that you're going to pay when it comes to fuel for ACURA's regardless!! PREMIUM?

— diane1725 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/11/2007 8:19:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1