Wrapping Up the 2013 New York Motor Show with Honda and Nissan

The 2013 New York Motor Show is so last week. Even though it was a massive automotive event and dozens of new cars were unveiled, time is passing and us auto-junkies are moving right along. But, here at Integrity Exports, we still have a few more Japanese cars we’d like to talk about. So, today we’re going to cover two cars each from Honda and Nissan.

2014 Honda Odyssey

First up, the new 2014 Honda Odyssey. I have to be honest, I wasn’t expecting very much. After all, what could be cool about a new minivan?

How about this: the first ever in-car vacuum?

That’s right, apparently the top-tier trim package – the 2014 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite – will feature an in-car vacuum that reaches every nook and cranny of the minivan’s interior. The vacuum, which is officially dubbed HondaVAC, can run for 8 minutes while the engine is off and indefinitely while it’s on. There are also several included attachments to handle different types of debris.

Pretty cool!

Unfortunately, we were so engrossed in the vacuum that we didn’t pay any attention to the rest of the car. And neither should you; let’s just all stay excited about the vacuum.

2014 Acura MDX

Maybe this says something about my stance towards Honda, but once again I wasn’t expecting much from the all-new MDX. But, I was actually impressed with what we saw in New York. Acura’s new seven-seater was totally re-built from the ground up with a completely new architecture that offers all-around improved driving dynamics. That means better aerodynamics, better fuel efficiency, better handling, and of course a very clean and spacious interior in traditional Honda style (they’re taking cues from the Fit’s success here).

As far as mechanics, the 2014 Acura MDX features a new i-VTEC 3.5L V6 engine with direct injection and Variable Cylinder Management. All told, the meaty new engine delivers 290hp, and you’ll get it paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission that can be configured for either Super Handling AWD or the more common 2-wheel drive.

Did we mention that Acura tested the MDX on Nürburgring? Got to give you props there, Acura.

All in all, a great new Japanese SUV from Honda’s luxury arm.

2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid

Unlike with the Acura MDX, we weren’t expecting a full re-design for the Nissan Pathfinder. Instead, we were looking forward to a hybrid version of the redesigned-for-2013 Pathfinder. And, that’s exactly what we got. No more, no less.

The new Pathfinder Hybrid is apparently configured with a lithium-ion battery powering a 15-kW motor. The electric motor is then paired with a supercharged 4-cylinder 2.5L engine capable of 250hp. The hybrid configuration is unofficially priced at $3,000 above the normal Pathfinder.

Infiniti QX60

Once again, the Infiniti crossover formerly known as JX35 was already revamped for 2013, so we weren’t expecting anything earth-shattering. But even still, we were bored with the QX60, which debuted at New York with the exact same hybrid powertrain found in the new Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid.

As we initially expected, people weren’t overly impressed by the QX60. Most auto-news sources spent more time dissing Infiniti’s confusing naming conventions than actually discussing the new QX60. It was just too similar to the Pathfinder. Other than a nicer interior and some extra safety features, the QX60 failed to stand out from its mechanical twin. In fact, if you asked me I’d say the QX60 actually has a worse exterior design than the Pathfinder, even if it gets the nod from the interior.

Infiniti’s boring QX60 aside, the New York Motor Show was definitely a success, and I’ve enjoyed covering it for you. We’ll be moving on to other things later this week, so stay tuned for more auto-news here at Integrity Exports!