ACURA NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH VOICE RECOGNITION
The MDX features the third generation DVD-based, satellite-linked Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition as an option on the model with Touring Package. Some of the system's features include:
- Voice recognition capabilities with a menu of 217 commands
- Rearview camera
- Faster route calculation and search speed (up to three times faster than the previous generations)
- A comprehensive destination guide with over 7 million points of interest
- 3-D graphics for freeway on and off ramps
- 8-inch touch screen display
- Split screen mode for displaying additional route information
- Day/night visualization modes with user-selectable screen background appearance
- Turn by turn voice guidance in either male or female voice
Similar in function to systems offered in Acura RL, TL and TSX models, this equipment receives Global Positioning System (GPS) data. That information is combined with signals from an onboard inertial guidance system and information from a DVD database to pinpoint the vehicle's location and help guide the driver to selected destinations.
The Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition includes coverage of the continuous 48 states, covering virtually all U.S. roads and over 7 million points of interest. This coverage is conveyed to the driver by both audio and visual cues designed to aid navigation without causing distraction. A male or female voice can be selected for the audio cues and this voice can be shut off at any time. A moving map in combination with direction arrows, detailed street names, turning instructions and driving distances are provided on the LCD touch control screen. A split screen design enhances on-screen information with a "map view" and "3-D" route visualization of freeway on ramps or off ramps simultaneously-a major step forward in making navigation information even easier to understand.
The Acura Navigation System can be controlled by the driver through either the touch screen display or by the voice recognition system. The voice recognition system works when the "talk" button, located on the steering wheel, is depressed. When spoken to (the microphone is located in the roof console), the system recognizes commands such as "find nearest gas station," "find nearest ATM," or "find nearest Italian restaurant."
The voice recognition system has a vocabulary of 217 commands and can recognize virtually any English-spoken accent.
A picture-in-picture capability permits simultaneous display of a large-scale map with detailed turning instructions. The driver always knows the vehicle's current position and a balloon function instantly reveals the address of any selected location on the map. Points of interest can be searched by inputting that destination's telephone number. The volume of voice guidance instructions can be adjusted through eleven settings and the audio system's speakers are automatically muted when direction commands are issued.
In addition to using the voice recognition feature to operate the system, manual operation is also available, quickly and easily via the touch screen. Only a few entries are needed to enter destinations and route calculations are made expeditiously. A joystick is available for additional assistance.
A matte finish is used on the display screen to enhance legibility while resisting fingerprints. The same screen used for navigation also displays trip distance, average fuel mileage, remaining range (miles to empty), elapsed time, outside temperature, and climate control setting information.
If desired, a route with up to five destinations can be pre-programmed. The Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition has the ability to track vehicle position by means of dots on the screen for those areas not covered by DVD map data - especially helpful when driving off-road.
Another notable enhancement is the addition of a rearview camera. This camera, located on the liftgate sends a picture of the area directly behind the MDX to the navigation system screen when the transmission is moved to the "reverse" position. The view shown extends to over 13 feet behind the bumper with a view width that is wider than the MDX itself.
HIGHLY ENGINEERED CUP HOLDERS
MDX engineers conducted a major cupholder R&D program to make the MDX extremely occupant-friendly. The first thing they learned was the daunting array of beverage containers in daily use - rectangular juice boxes, 12-ounce cans, 20-ounce bottles, various-sized paper cups from fast-food outlets, insulated coffee cups, and bottled water vessels galore. Ten beverage holders were designed into the MDX's interior to accommodate a variety of passenger needs.
Real innovation was necessary to accommodate as many different sizes and types of containers as possible and to securely hold them during stopping and cornering maneuvers. For example, pockets built into the bottom portion of the rear door trim are purposely deep to hold either a 20-ounce soda bottle or larger bottled water containers. Cup holders molded into the armrest areas adjacent to the third-row seat feature notches necessary to accommodate juice boxes. Cup holders positioned near the center of the vehicle (two ahead of the storage console, two built into the console lid's inside surface, and two more integrated with the fold-down, second-row armrest) have stepped bottom surfaces to grab and hold different-diameter containers. Front-seat cup holders are a three-tier design with a rubber lip to help restrain a teetering container. Third row cup holders are also a three-tier design, but without a rubber lip, while second-seat cup holders are a slightly shallower, two-tier design.
STANDARD MUSIC SYSTEM
MDX sound systems are engineered for optimum performance and tuned specifically for this vehicle's acoustical characteristics. The standard system provides premium sound quality and clarity, especially in the first and second seating rows. A head unit integrated into the center-dash features AM/FM stereo, cassette, and a single-disc CD player. A micro antenna positioned at a discreet center-rear location on the roof receives radio broadcasts. Switches mounted below a left-side steering wheel spoke allow the driver to adjust play volume, choose another radio station, or select a different CD track without shifting attention from the road.
Four integrated, 30-watt amplifiers and one 35-watt amplifier drive a total of seven speakers. A 16 cm midrange speaker is mounted in each door. There's also a 2-inch tweeter in each front door and a 10-inch sub-woofer in the right-rear interior trim panel.
ACURA/BOSE® MUSIC SYSTEM
The MDX with Touring Package is equipped with an Acura/Boss® Music System that has been enhanced for 2004. The next generation system features a more powerful 225 watt amplifier (up from 200 in 2003), new tweeters, new high power neodymium magnets in the front and rear doors resulting in higher output and a stronger and deeper base, and new higher power rear twiddlers working together to provide superb entertainment in all seating positions.
The head unit is curved in two directions to coordinate with the center-dash design. This system offers AM/FM, cassette, and a 6-CD in-dash changer. In models equipped with the available DVD Entertainment System the changer is located under the driver's seat. The steering wheel mounted controls described above also command the system.
A special six-CD changer function allows the unit to conveniently store extra discs ready for playing without a separate magazine. Touching a load button once opens the changer's door to allow the insertion of one CD. Holding that button down facilitates loading up to six CDs. Since the door opens only during loading and eject operations, there's less likelihood that foreign objects will jam the mechanism. This sound system can select any desired CD track or shuffle through stored material at random to provide hours of audio entertainment.
The Acura/Bose® Music System features eight speakers including a more powerful rear-mounted 2.5-inch twiddler speaker. Six new integrated 37.5-watt amplifiers (up from 25 watts) drive the mid-range, tweeter, and twiddler units, and a 10-inch sub-woofer.
ACURA DVD ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
The MDX can be equipped with an available factory-installed Acura DVD Entertainment System. This multi-faceted system features a 7-inch wide screen LCD display (for optimum visibility) that flips down from the ceiling at the push of a button for easy viewing by rear seat passengers. The extended capabilities of the DVD system allow for either DVD, CD, radio, cassette tapes and auxiliary accessories (such as video games, VCRs or cameras) to be played in the rear seating areas while the front passengers listen to a different audio source.
The DVD player can be conveniently controlled from three locations - the front audio system controls, the rear seat controls near the LCD screen, or a wireless remote control. Additional audio and video input jacks allow for a wide variety of additional equipment - ranging from camcorders to VCRs to game consoles - to be attached to the system. The system comes complete with two infrared (IR) wireless headphones and a wireless remote control as standard equipment.
INTERIOR ILLUMINATION
Overhead lamps are provided for all three rows of seating. An additional cargo light mounted to the tailgate provides ample illumination both inside the vehicle and on the ground for convenient loading at night and lights in the footwells of the front seats allow for easier entry and egress at night. When the lamps are switched off by closing the doors or inserting a key in the ignition switch, they fade out over a six-second period.
For 2004, ambient illumination is also provided for front seat occupants. A subtle pale blue light is emitted from the footwells and shifter column during night driving providing occupants with a warmer cabin feel and giving off just enough light to help improve occupant's visibility within the vehicle. The ambient lighting is extinguished when the headlights are turned off.
All power window switches are illuminated for convenient night-time operation.
KEYLESS SECURITY SYSTEM
To avoid interference from cellular telephone and pager transmissions, MDX's keyless security system communicates via FM (instead of AM) signals. In models with the Touring Package, when doors are unlocked remotely, outside mirrors and the driver's seat automatically move to pre-selected memory positions. Two fobs are provided to distinguish one driver in the family from another.
The fob itself has three buttons. At the top, there's a large triangular-shaped button to command the lock function. A smaller round button with a raised nib for tactile identification commands the vehicle to unlock all doors. Operation of the locks is confirmed by an audible chirp. The third button at the bottom of the fob is recessed; pressing this "panic" button activates loud dual trumpet horns to signal distress.