MotorWeek

Hi, I'm John Davis and this is MotorWeek !

Time to spend some drive time in the ever-popular Acura MDX... Then, we'll set our steering straight with help from Giuseppe's Garage... We'll see how renewable fuels can protect the air and wallets alike... And we keep things movin' and groovin' with the MINI Countryman ALL4...

So, come drive with us, next!

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whether it's... JOHN: This 4th generation Acura MDX has been delivering great performance, luxury, and even value to premium 3-row utility buyers ever since it arrived for 2022.

Now, an updated MDX is arriving for 2025, so it's time for us to see what has changed and what has not.

While, many brands get their best sales figures from small utilities these days, for Acura, it's still their 3-row MDX that does the most business for the brand.

And if you've ever been in one, or...better yet, ever driven one, you'll understand why that makes total sense, and why it recently won our MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Award for Best Midsize Utility.

Honda reliability combined with Acura's techno-savvy luxury, and an added smidge of NSX-like performance, is the recipe here, and better ingredients do indeed make a better SUV.

For 2025, Acura has added some extra garnish, as well as stirred in a few functional enhancements.

We'll get right to our favorite improvement, which is getting rid of the touchpad interface and making the 12.3 inch infotainment screen a touchscreen.

Welcome to the modern era, Acura.

That frees up the center console for more storage and better placement of the wireless phone charger, joining the up to eight USB ports that are scattered around the cabin.

Advance package adds head-up display along with a 19-speaker Bang + Olufsen audio, though Type S comes with a 31-speaker system, if you really want to pump up the jams.

Front seats have both a wealth of adjustment and extreme comfort, while Acura has managed to pack in a lot of space for all three rows, despite not being an overly large vehicle.

That means, plenty of room for cargo, too: 16.3 cubic-feet behind the 3rd row, 39.1 behind the second, and 71.4 with all seatbacks folded.

With Acura increasingly touting the performance aspects of their brand, they've fittingly made the sportier front fascia that was unique to the Type S even sportier, and added it to the A-Spec as well.

And in addition to across- the-board styling tweaks, such as the usual fascia redoes, new grille, updated lighting, and fresh wheel choices, Type S adds Brembo brakes behind 21 inch wheels, and a rear diffuser with a quartet of big exhaust tips.

Thankfully, one thing that hasn't changed is how engaging the Type S is to drive.

There's a nimbleness to it that many vehicles half its size don't have, without any harsh ride penalty.

It felt tremendously planted through the cones, very well-balanced with no understeer, oversteer, nor any stability nannies stepping in.

Add to that, minimal body roll and good steering feel.

All made possible by the Type S's Adaptive Air Suspension and Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive.

It performs its typical torque vectoring voodoo behind the scenes through multiple drive mode settings including Sport and Sport+, each with unique themes on the 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster.

The Type S works with a 3.0 liter turbo V6 cranking out the same 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque as last year.

That translates to 0-60 runs of 5.5 seconds, after pouncing off the line with authority; no slip, all grip.

All MDXs get a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, but the Type S adds rev-matching for downshifts.

Wide open throttle upshifts were both quick and silky smooth the whole way down the track.

The quarter-mile, 14.0 seconds flat at 100 miles per hour.

Base MDXs work with a naturally aspirated 290 horsepower 3.5 liter V6 which is not quite as exhilarating, but nonetheless plenty quick.

Stable stops from 60.

We call a 106 foot average short and sweet.

(car whooshing by) Government Fuel Economy Ratings for the Type S are 17 City, 21 Highway, and 19 Combined; but, we managed a great 22.3 miles per gallon average on Premium in our test loop.

The Type S is priced at a lofty $76,600, but there are many more affordable options downstream, starting at just $52,550.

It's 2025 and the Acura MDX continues to get better and better.

It's easy to see why it's the best-selling luxury 3-row utility of all time.

No matter which angle you're coming from, comfort, tech, indulgence, or performance, the MDX is the complete package, and a true benchmark SUV.

JOHN: The concept of renewable fuels made from non-petroleum sources has a long history.

Indeed, over the last four decades, we've seen how renewable fuels have been used with great success as sustainable alternatives to traditional gasoline and diesel.

So, we thought we'd check out three examples where fast responses rely on reliable fuels, and see how green solutions are leading the way forward!

Our first stop is Vancouver, Washington, where the city's fire department has made the switch to renewable diesel for its 27 fire trucks, engines, and EMS squads.

Also called RD or R99, renewable diesel is not the same as biodiesel.

It is refined from plant oils and animal fats to become chemically identical to conventional diesel, which biodiesel is not.

R99 performs better in cold weather and can be used without modification in any diesel vehicle.

The process of burning carbon soot out of a conventional diesel's exhaust particulate filter, known as regen, can take a truck out of service for several hours over the course of a week.

Using R99 instead, less soot builds up, increasing the regen intervals and requiring a less intense regen procedure.

The Vancouver Fire Department responds to 51,000 emergency calls each year, so every minute of downtime in the shop can be the difference between life and death.

CHUCK WINKLER: These vehicles have to work 100 percent of the time, all the time.

So, reliability is our number one... Safety and reliability is our number one goal here, and R99 has really helped with that 100 percent reliability.

JOHN: Then, there is UPS, one of world's largest delivery fleets with 125,000 vehicles.

UPS obtains nearly 40 percent of their transportation fuel from low-carbon sources, and has driven over 4.0 billion miles on alternative fuels.

They are also the largest consumer of renewable natural gas in the transportation industry.

AL MURAT: While, electric cars, electric vehicles, Es are going to play an important role, right now, CNG and RNG is one of the important bridge points to getting there.

So, rather than wait for those, uh, alternatives to-- to grow in technology, we're leveraging RNG right now as one of the best solutions.

JOHN: RNG, also known as biomethane, is derived from decomposing organic matter at landfills, wastewater treatment plants, livestock farms, and food production facilities.

RNG is interchangeable with conventional natural gas and can be used in existing pipelines.

This renewable natural gas fueling station at UPS' eastern zone hub in Pennsylvania, is the largest in the UPS network.

Its services 220 tractors and 150 delivery vehicles, displacing 8.0 million gallons of diesel fuel per year.

Renewable natural gas literally turns waste into clean energy, and is helping big brown deliver on its longtime commitment to go green.

Whenever a green flag drops, the extreme conditions of motorsports competition have long served as a testing ground and accelerator for technological development, and that now includes sustainability.

Race organizers around the world have set a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, and aim to reduce race-related emissions by 30 percent.

The world endurance challenge series, which includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans, now runs on a 100 percent renewable fuel derived from grape residue.

In a sport where lightning fast reflexes and instant throttle response can mean the difference between first place and also ran, a stable, power-dense fuel is a must, and you gotta admit, running race cars on wine is pretty dang cool!

These three sustainable petroleum substitutes are all winning formulas, ones we will be keeping an eye on.

Next time you go for a drive, really pay attention to the feedback in the steering wheel.

If it's shaky, you just might have a problem, and our Giuseppe Iatarola just might have the fix on MotorWeek's "Your Drive!"

GIUSEPPE IATAROLA: Have you been driving down the road and your steering wheel starts to shake?

Most people assume this is because of the high-speed balance.

However, it could be several other causes.

Today, I'm going to walk you through them.

The main cause of a shaky steering wheel is warped brake rotors.

There's two ways of fixing this problem.

First is replacing the brake rotor, which is the easiest but most expensive, and the second is the old-school way, resurfacing the brake rotor.

What causes a warped rotor, it might be a sticky caliper.

Which means the caliper is applied onto the brake rotor all the time.

The brake rotor overheats and warps.

Before we turn it, safety first...

This lathe has cutting blades on it that shaves the surface of the rotor until it's perfectly even, just like this.

There's a limit to how many times you can turn a rotor.

Most rotors are marked with a minimum allowable thickness.

Once you go past that, it could get weak, is more prone to warping and is no longer safe to use.

Another cause for a shaky steering wheel is over tightened lug nuts.

That's what happens when you use a good old air gun.

The air gun tightens the lug nuts unevenly.

That's why you always use a torque wrench.

Torque your lug nuts to the specs of your car and you're good to go.

(lug nuts click into place) You can't tell from looking at it, but your wheel might be out of balance.

Make sure there's no mud or ice crusted in your wheel, make sure you don't have any missing wheel weights, and if your tires are worn out, it could throw off your alignment and it can make your car wobble.

One more place to look is your suspension.

Worn out parts, parts that are installed incorrectly, or parts that are rusty may not line up correctly, and make the car wobble.

If you've got shaky steering wheel problems, look these things over before you bring it to your local mechanic.

You might save yourself some time and money.

If you have any questions or comments, reach out to us, here at MotorWeek .

JOHN: We've got the master key to everything that's new, so let's go for another QuickSpin!

JESSICA RAY: Our Long-Term 12-month test of the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ended with a long list of positive remarks.

So, we were stoked for a SoCal First Drive of the updated 2025 Outlander; specifically, the gas-only model.

What greeted us wasn't a total recalibration.

In fact, the exterior remains largely the same: A distinct face now with a revised grille, and slightly restyled lighting elements front and rear, underscored by new wheels.

You'd be forgiven for believing the cosmetic changes to be practically infinitesimal.

Interior changes are more apparent, though mostly found in the first of its three rows.

The cupholders have been moved, the wireless device charger expanded, and additional storage space added to the center console.

Additional sound deadening not only reduces road-noise, but provides a cleaner soundscape for the head-banging Yamaha sound system.

KYLE SCANLON: I have the ultimate sound system in this trim level with 12 speakers and they describe it as a literal "sound box," like the subwoofer box that you would put in the back of your cars.

And what they've done is reinforced the sides, the entire body all-around, to make there be less vibration and better sound quality.

So, when I can tell you that if you're in this car, you are rolling around in a concert hall.

JESSICA: This personal opera house...or mosh pit, onboard crew dependent, is powered by the same 181 horsepower 2.5 liter inline-4 engine.

A CVT automatic channels power to the front, though Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel-Control is optional.

The power steering has been sharpened, and the suspension has been re-tuned to match.

A starting price of around $31,000 is music to our ears, with a top-trim 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander starting in the mid-forties.

We'll have more on the updated Outlander and more QuickSpins...soon!

JOHN: Be it on the track or the automotive news beat, we know a thing or two about "late breaking."

Here's Stephanie Hart with this week's MotorNews!

STEPHANIE HART: In the wake of President Trump's trade tariffs, Ford and Stellantis have announced employee pricing on most vehicles for a limited time.

Ford started with their "From America, For America" initiative, lasting until June and applying to many Lincoln models as well.

Stellantis, the parent company of America's Jeep, Chrysler, and Ram brands, is offering discounts up through April.

In either case, actual savings are model dependent, and certain exclusions apply.

Pricing is closer to invoice pricing, or what a dealer would typically pay themselves.

Nissan is also appealing to customers with price reductions for two of their SUVs.

The 2025 Nissan Rogue sees savings up to nearly $2,000 on certain trims.

The entry-level S model now starts just under $30,000.

Some Pathfinder trims are cut by more than a thousand dollars.

The Pathfinder S starts under $38,000.

And for the enthusiasts, Toyota has announced two new special edition models.

The 2026 GR Supra Final Edition sends off the 5th gen Supra with performance refinements and special styling, though no extra power from its turbo inline-6.

An auto or manual transmission is available.

Same for the GR86 Yuzu Special Edition.

Its yellow paintjob pays homage to the Scion FRS Release Series One, and the GR86's included performance package kicks things up a notch.

And that's it for this week's MotorNews!

GREG CARLOSS: Trying to leave winter to the salt trucks, our 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid has been on the move to warmer clims.

We've put 7,000 miles on Kia's latest sliding side-door Multi-Purpose Vehicle in just two months.

This Hybrid may work with 45 fewer horsepower than the standard V6, but torque output is a stout 271 pound-feet, getting to the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission.

And it can spin up the front tires just as easily as the V6.

But clearly, we've been keeping burnouts to a minimum as fuel economy is on the rise, now 29.0 miles per gallon.

After logging a lot of early highway miles, this Carnival is now entering its around-town, daily-driver era.

So far, the switch from battery-power to gas-power and then back to battery-power has been relatively seamless.

There's a quick burst of electric torque, which is just enough to get things rolling from a stop, before that gas engine fires up, which has played no small part in boosting our fuel economy.

We're stoked to welcome this Volkswagen Jetta GLI to the long-term fleet.

Stay tuned for updates.

But first, we'll plug into a two-pronged EV outlet with our Fiat 500e and Cadillac LYRIQ on the next MotorWeek Long-Term Road Test Update!

JOHN: The automotive industry is full of inconsistencies, like...biggest MINI.

Well, that's what this MINI Countryman has been since it arrived for 2011 as the brand's first SUV.

Well, time flies when you're having fun driving a MINI, so a 3rd generation is already arriving.

Let's find out if that still means big fun for this now not quite so small crossover.

MINIs may not attract the kind of attention they did when the Cooper returned to the U.S. market for 2002, but that's mostly because they've become mainstream, with an expanded lineup that even includes an SUV, this 2025 Countryman S ALL4.

But what hasn't changed, is that MINIs still look cool and are even more enjoyable to drive.

No surprise, the suspension in this latest Countryman, which shares its chassis with BMW's X1, is very firm; but that's what gives it that precise go-kart feel that we love in all MINIs.

Though, that also makes it more primed for backroads exploring and short trip commuting than for extended highway travel.

Continuing another MINI tradition, things inside remain quirky seemingly just for the sake of being quirky, the latest example being the fabric tether-like spoke on the steering wheel.

For better or worse, MINI still puts all driver and multimedia information in the same central circle.

Perhaps it's the improved touchscreen, or maybe just that technology has caught up to it, but we think it works better now than ever before; delivering a lot of information.

The flip-up Head Up Display helps too, as it keeps you from having to look over to see how fast you're going.

Good use of space inside as always, with plenty of room for adults up front and lots of useful storage places.

And with 40/20/40 folding of the rear seatbacks, there's more flexibility than most other small utilities.

In back, there's underfloor storage space as well as room for 25.0 cubic-feet of cargo, expanding to a max of 56.2 cubic-feet, 18 percent more than last gen. As of right now, there's no "standard" Countryman.

Its only available as a Countryman S ALL4, which means power comes from a turbo engine and all-wheel-drive is included.

BMW's 2.0 liter turbo I4 outputs 241 horsepower here with a stout 295 pound-feet of torque.

But a JCW version is also available, which cranks the 2.0 liter up to 312 horsepower.

All Countryman work with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission; no manual transmission available.

MINI Experience Modes set the stage for your preferred driving style.

It was Go-Kart mode for us, as we headed to our Mason Dixon Dragway test track.

Things were actually pretty calm off the starting line, but once it got crankin', speeds built quickly, and we were off to 60 in 5.9 seconds.

The DCT was very direct and firm with shifts through the first couple of gears, but they smoothed out noticeably in the higher ranges; power delivery stayed strong throughout the 14.3 second quarter-mile finished at 98 miles per hour.

Being the SUV of the MINI lineup, there was more body roll through our handling course than you'd experience in a Cooper, but we could still carry a lot of speed through the cones.

MINI's ALL4 torque vectoring all-wheel-drive system distributes power to whichever wheels can put it to the best use, helping the Countryman feel well planted while turning in eagerly.

Brakes were solid and mostly fade-free with stops averaging just 105 feet from 60.

That stable and steady feel at the track is the result of a platform that's grown slightly larger in both wheelbase and track.

Overall length grows just under 5.0 inches.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 24 City, 32 Highway, and 27 Combined; we averaged a fine 26.6 miles per gallon on Premium.

Pricing starts at $39,895 for Signature Plus trim; Iconic packs in a lot of additional features and starts at $43,095.

The 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4 is much more than just a nifty machine that's perfect for living the city life; it's a fun-to-drive getaway mobile that can also add a big dose of excitement into your daily duties.

And even more thrills are on the way with an all-electric version of the Countryman, coming soon.

Well, that's our show, I hope you enjoyed it.

Now, for more MotorWeek , including daily news updates, podcasts, and even complete episodes, cruise on over to PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

And I hope you'll join us next time for a super car that looks out of this world, the McLaren 750S, followed by an updated minivan adventure in the Honda Odyssey.

Until then, I'm John Davis.

We'll see you right here on MotorWeek !

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Learn more at AutoValue.Com and BumperToBumper.Com.

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