Another year and the 2017 Acura MDX has received another IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. For the fourth year in a row, the MDX has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s top honors, joining the RDX (with available AcuraWatch). The 2017 Acura ILX (with available AcuraWatch) and RLX both earned 2017 IIHS Top Safety Pick ratings as well.
The MDX represents the culmination of Acura’s investments in safety innovation. AcuraWatch, a standard feature on all 2017 MDX models, is the star of the show. The driver assistance package incorporates a range of active safety technologies, including advanced adaptive cruise control and sensor-enabled systems, helping the MDX receive “superior” rating in the front crash prevention category.
To honor the Top Safety Pick+ rating, the Naples Acura team wanted to highlight some of the standard and available safety features in the 2017 Acura line-up.
AcuraWatch: An Advanced Safety System
Since it was introduced in 2015, the AcuraWatch package has earned high acclaim in the auto industry. The system incorporates several different crash-avoidance technologies to help prevent and mitigate potential collisions on the road.
AcuraWatch – available on several models, and a standard MDX feature – has now been deployed on 70,000+ vehicles, and will soon become standard equipment on most Acura models. The system includes:
- Collision Mitigation Braking System: Utilizing a forward high-resolution camera and radar system, CMBS detects vehicles or pedestrians and automatically applies the brakes to avoid or reduce collision impact. The system can use up to 80 percent of braking power.
- Adaptive Cruise Control: ACC allows drivers to set a cruising speed, as well as the distance between a forward vehicle. The system automatically controls throttle to keep vehicles at a safe distance. The ACC system with low-speed follow can be engaged at cruising speeds of 20 to 95 MPH.
- Road Departure Mitigation: Another camera-enabled system, Road Departure Mitigation warns drivers if the vehicle is leaving the roadway. The system can also use the LKAS system to steer and apply braking.
- Lane Keeping Assist System: Equipped with a camera, the LKAS system detects lane makers. The system keeps the car in the middle of a detected lane, and if drift is detected, LKAS steers the vehicle back towards the center.
With the announcement of the Top Safety Pick ratings, Acura also said they’d soon make Traffic Jam Assist a part of the AcuraWatch suite next year. Traffic Jam Assist adds semi-autonomous driving features in thick traffic, including acceleration, braking and pedestrian detection.
Additional Safety Features Available in the 2017 Acura Line-Up
AcuraWatch is certainly the future of advanced safety technology, but the entire line-up is available with tried-and-true safety features. For example, all models are equipped with a standard multi-angle back-up camera, which provides a eyes on the road when backing up.
Acura models also receive:
- Vehicle Stability Assist: VSA with traction control helps to provide stability around corners and optimizes traction in a variety of slick road conditions.
- Advanced Airbag System: With side curtain airbags, as well as a sensor-enabled system in the front, Acura’s vehicles are designed to deploy a cushion of air in the event of an accident.
- Advanced Compatibility Engineering: ACE is Acura’s rigid body construction deployed across the entire line-up. The system is designed to reduce damage from impact.
Test drive the Top Safety Pick+ rated 2017 MDX or any one of Acura’s IIHS safety honorees at Naples Acura. Schedule a test drive online or visit us today!
Connect with us
