History/Overview
The Acura MDX is this upscale brand’s entry in the mid-size luxury SUV market. It’s among the sportier vehicles of its type from an Asian brand, conceived as a fun-to-drive alternative to similar vehicles from the German auto industry.
What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year
For 2022, the Acura MDX is redesigned and enters its fourth generation with new styling inside and out, and a new 10-speed transmission connected to a 3.5L V6 carried forward from the outgoing generation. Note that there was no 2021 MDX, so this new one follows on the 2020 model.
Acura says an MDX Type S is coming later in the 2021 model year with extra power from a turbocharged V6 engine. Gone, for now at least, is the MDX’s Sport Hybrid powertrain.
Available Trims
Acura offers the MDX in base, Tech, A-Spec and Platinum Elite trim levels. All share the 3.5L engine and 10-speed transmission we mentioned above. Also standard is Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system.
Standard Features
The base MDX comes with 19-inch wheels and tires, an adaptive damper system, a front wiper de-icer, heated side mirrors, LED headlights/taillights/daytime running lights, a power tailgate, rain-sensing wipers, a backup camera washer, passive keyless entry, and remote engine start.
Inside, you benefit from a panoramic sunroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, three-zone climate control, a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, heated 12-way power front seats, brushed metal trim, and leatherette upholstery.
The MDX’s standard tech features include a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, Amazon Alexa integration, a digital gauge cluster, a garage door remote, wireless smartphone charging, a nine-speaker stereo, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
MDX’s standard safety package comprises forward collision warning with automatic braking, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, rear cross traffic monitor, and traffic jam assist.
Tech trim adds low-speed braking control to the MDX’s safety suite. It also gets 20-inch wheels, power-folding side mirrors, a hands-free tailgate, navigation, front and rear parking sensors, a 12-speaker stereo, heated second-row seats, and perforated leather seating.
A-Spec models gain LED fog lights, an in-car PA system, a 16-speaker stereo, leather/Ultrasuede seating, and ventilated front seats.
Finally, Platinum Elite trim’s additions are side roof rails, a head-up driver display, surround-view cameras, 16-way front seats, and genuine wood trim.
Fuel Economy
Acura’s fuel consumption estimates for the MDX are 12.6/9.4 L/100 km (city/highway).
Competition
Among the MDX’s key competitors are the Lexus RX (and particularly the RX L, which matches the Acura’s seven-seat layout), the Infiniti QX60, the Cadillac XT6, Mercedes-Benz’s GLE-Class, the Lincoln Aviator, BMW X5, and Audi Q7. Other seven-seat luxury competitors include the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS, though these models are more expensive than the MDX.
