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Acura SLX sport-utility wagon rugged off-road, plush in town
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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Acura, that upscale performance label derived from Honda, promotes a line of coupes and sedans skewed to the sporty end of action and sized from small to spacious.
Recently, though, Acura added to its mix of products a new label which differs radically from all other models.
Like the others, the new Acura provides plush comforts in a refined passenger cabin skewed toward the luxury side of the market.
Also like other Acuras, this one stocks a sophisticated set of automotive hardware which enables it to move down a pavement path with explicit actions.
Unlike any previous Acura, however, the new model doesn't need asphalt or concrete beneath its nubby tires to show its stuff. In fact, some of its most impressive feats occur when treading on dirt -- or mud or sand or even rock.
Acura, it seems, has a new sport-utility vehicle.
Called SLX, this new wagon provides a spacious compartment for hauling five passengers, a torque-laden 6-cylinder powerplant and a part-time 4-wheel-drive system which enables it to conquer rough off-pavement routes.
Its cavernous cargo space measures as much as ten cubic feet more than rivals.
Then SLX adds all of the amenities for comfort and convenience you'd expect on an elegant full-size sedan.
What a cushy way to bushwhack through the backwoods.
That's the experience I had steering a new SLX -- complete with plush leather-lined interior -- along unpaved roads and rutted trails in Texas.
Tests also included interstate freeways and dashes over city streets. All of these experiences prompted some observations about Acura's unique sport-utility wagon.
First, it stands tall.
A high stance means you may move easily over rough off-road terrain, or on pavement peer over tops of shorter vehicles to enhance visibility in traffic.
Also, SLX seems big -- and it is.
Apply a tape measure and the Acura will stretch against all rules because it provides generous space for people and cargo. There's ample head and shoulder room for passengers in front buckets or the rear bench seat, but that back bench folds forward twice to form a cargo area measuring five feet long and about four and a half feet wide by well over three high -- superb space for camping gear or luggage.
Regarding outward appearances, SLX looks serious.
Rounded edges soften a boxy form to streamline this vehicle at highway speeds. Despite these stylish refinements, the design still promotes the image of a safari-like expedition vehicle.
A test drive will show that SLX rides easy.
Its rigid ladder frame forms a platform for Acura's suspension system with unequal-length double wishbone design in front and solid banjo-style rear axle with multiple control links, coil springs and insulated bushings.
When traveling down the freeway, the ride quality resembles one of Acura's fancy sedans, but on a lumpy off-road track this one won't knock your teeth loose.
Pump the pedal to feel SLX's power.
An impressive aluminum block V6 -- displacing 3.2 liters and equipped with 24 valves, multi-point fuel injection and electronic engine management -- uses a single cam configuration to generates 190 hp.
This plant connects exclusively with a smooth electronically-controlled 4-speed automatic transmission.
The shifter employs a helpful winter operating mode which locks in third gear for slippery snow-and-ice days when starting in first gear would only spin tires.
For traveling off-road, SLX has serious 4x4 hardware.
The 4WD system with 2-speed transfer case provides auto-lock front hubs, with "High" and "Low" modes.
A shift-on-the-fly feature enables the driver to switch from rear-wheel to 4-wheel traction while cruising at any speed up to 60 mph.
To reach low end of 4WD for tackling serious off-road terrain, you must stop the vehicle to shift. Then to move back into rear-wheel-drive mode, SLX must be reversed a few feet to reset the sequence as a safety measure.
Undercarriage skid plates shield radiator, transfer case and a 22.5-gal. fuel tank.
Despite all of these mechanical components which set up SLX's rugged stance, the wagon feels luxurious to drive.
In the cabin two front bucket seats, separated by a console with floor-mounted shifter, conform to your backside and contain an abundance of firm yet comfortable padding. Optional leather upholstery in the premium package upgrade on my test model felt as sensuous as that in a limousine.
The rear bench seat has a 60/40 back split so you can carry a rider and cargo.
Instruments, with tachometer and other analog gauges, appear immediately behind the leather-wrapped steering wheel that's standard on even the entry-level model.
Also, SLX applies innovations.
One of my favorite features comes at the back of this vehicle, where rear doors split in 70/30 proportion to form unequal sides. The door seam doesn't block a driver's center vision through the rearview mirror, and you end up with a large portal useful for inserting cargo without having to open both doors.
Then there's SLX's extra measures for safety.
Ventilated 4-wheel disc brakes come on both editions, along with an anti-lock system keyed to all wheels.
Dual airbags are also included, plus a number of other devices which contribute toward safety -- such as standard foglamps, the collapsible steering wheel, exterior mirrors with defogger, power door locks with security element for driver's side, or the automatic theft-deterrent system.
SLX's premium package adds the leather upholstery, heated front seats and power movements for front buckets.
1996 ACURA SLX
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1996 ACURA SLX Specs |
| Description: |
Sport-utility wagon |
| Model Options: |
Sport-utility wagon |
| Wheelbase: |
108.7 inches |
| Overall Length: |
183.5 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 3.2-L V6
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| Transmission: |
Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
4WD |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
15/18 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 35,000 to $ 44,000 |
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