The Acura MDX is a three-row luxury SUV that stands out from the pack with its standard technology. Beneath the angular body styling, the MDX has a sporty nature, with a powerful V6 engine and agile handling. Many driver safety aids come standard. A 2022 redesign gave the MDX more space for passengers and cargo. The cabin is filled with top-shelf features, like the ability to wirelessly charge a phone while using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
The Acura MDX brings the Japanese luxury brand’s signature attention to detail and high-tech features to the three-row SUV segment. Though its sole engine option isn’t as economical as some competitors, it offers excellent power around town and on the highway. The MDX has sporty handling for its size. The well-crafted cabin nicely blends upscale comfort with everyday practicality. Driver safety features come standard, monitoring the vehicle’s surroundings to help avoid obstacles. Packed with modern technology and style, the Acura MDX is a serious contender in the midsize luxury segment.
The redesigned MDX rides on an all-new platform that is more agile and fun to drive. The double-wishbone front- and multi-link rear suspensions provide car-like handling. Acura includes active dampers that adjust to changing road conditions. Front-wheel-drive is standard; the standard and Technology trims are available with the carmaker’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. SH-AWD comes included with the A-Spec and Advance.
The MDX gets its power from an aluminum-alloy 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. It has a start-stop system that turns off the engine while idling to save gas. Power goes through a 10-speed automatic transmission. The driver can shift gears manually with paddle shifters, should the inclination arise.
The EPA estimates that the MDX with front-wheel-drive running on the recommended premium fuel should return 19/26/22 mpg city/highway/overall.
Acura offers the MDX with standard equipment or three available packages: Technology, A-Spec, or Advance. Pricing for the MDX starts around $47,000 with front-wheel-drive; adding all-wheel-drive increases the price by $2,000. A comprehensive set of driver safety aids comes standard, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams.
Other amenities include LED headlamps, a panoramic moonroof, a power liftgate, leatherette upholstery, 12-way adjustable heated front seats, driver’s seat memory, tri-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and adaptive cruise control. Media features include nine speakers, a CD player, satellite radio, AM/FM radio, Bluetooth, a 12.3-inch infotainment display, wireless phone charging, Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a high-speed internet hotspot.
The Technology Package retails for roughly $52,000. It adds key details like 20-inch wheels, parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding mirrors, leather upholstery, GPS-linked climate control, 27-color adjustable ambient lighting, an ELS Studio premium sound system, and navigation. Opting for the sporty A-Spec Package brings black exterior accents, LED fog lamps, a surround-sound system, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and heated/cooled front seats from around $57,500.
Those wanting all of the MDX’s fanciest features can select the Advance Package, which costs about $61,000. It has a 10.5-inch head-up display, a motion-activated liftgate, roof rails, a surround-view camera, 16-way power-adjustable front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel.
The MDX is now in its fourth generation of production, which debuted for the 2022 model year. The restyled cabin resembles other models in Acura’s model lineup, like the RDX. The MDX’s interior is larger than previous generations, thanks to a longer and wider platform, which translates to more space in all three rows. There is also a larger cargo capacity than before.
The MDX has a sporty and tech-centric demeanor. Acura provides it with front 12-way power seats trimmed in premium leatherette. The front row is heated, and the driver’s seat has three memory settings. The Technology Package adds perforated Milano premium leather upholstery and passenger-side memory settings. In the A-Spec, drivers get perforated Milano seats with Ultrasuede inserts for a race-inspired feel. The front seats are heated and cooled. Opting for the Advance adds a heated steering wheel and heated rear outboard seats.
Around the cabin are a few storage cubbies, with a covered center console, small-item trays, and bins in each door. Owners can remove the center seat of the second-row bench, effectively making two captain’s chairs. It also makes accessing the third-row a breeze. Instead of removing the center seat, it can flip down, its seatback revealing an armrest with cupholders.
CabinTalk comes standard on the A-Spec and Advance models. The technology lets those in the front amplify their voice through the speaker system to passengers seated in the back.
The MDX has impressive tech features, like a digital gauge cluster, wireless smartphone charging, a WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Perched atop the dashboard is a 12.3-inch infotainment display — one of the largest in its class — that the driver operates using a separate touchpad.
