If you're considering buying a second generation (20072012) this is the review for you! I went into extreme detail reviewing my 2009 Acura MDX, which I've owned for 1.5 years and currently has 94,000 miles. It's a great overall SUV and I highly recommend buying one! Here are my detailed pros and cons:

Pros

Engine and acceleration: The 3.7 liter V6 has 300 horsepower and 275 ftlbs of torque, pulling the 4500 pound SUV from 060 mph in about 7.2 seconds. And the exhaust note sounds great doing it! This engine is bulletproof and will likely outlive most people :)

Handling: Super Handling All Wheel Drive (SHAWD) makes the MDX handle quite well, masking it's weight quite nicely. It's agile through the curves with a nicely weighted, responsive steering feel

Ride/Comfort: Comfortable seats, a wide, roomy interior and a well cushioned ride makes road trips or even driving around town a pleasure. The MDX soaks up bumps nicely

Reliability: It's an Acura/Honda product, enough said. Virtually indestructible

Looks: Handsome exterior styling with flared wheel arches really sets the second generation MDX apart, I think it looks great! Interior is handsome as well

Safety: 5 star safety ratings all around

Cons

Gas mileage: EPA rated at 16/21 mpg, that's about the best fuel economy you'll see. Go heavy on the throttle and you'll get much worse, but for highway cruising 21/22 mpg is achievable. Thankfully the MDX has a 21 gallon fuel tank, giving it a range of over 400 miles on the highway

Cabin noise: Road noise seems to enter from every orifice of the MDX, which can become annoying. Especially if you open the sunroof cover, the wind noise will drive you mad. Sound isolation could be much better

Dated infotainment system: Clunky menus, ugly interface and low screen resolution make using the infotainment system a chore. But hey, it's 12 years old. Though newer MDX infotainment systems I've used aren't much better

If you're looking for the best used SUV on a budget, the 2009 MDX will not disappoint.