Acura MDX

The MDX at a glance

The MDX is sold mainly in North America and has not been offered by Acura in Western Europe. Its siblings and the brand's background are covered in Acura's history and on the Acura RDX page.

Four generations of the MDX

First generation (2001–2006)

Acura presented the first MDX on 5 October 2000 as a 2001 model. Built in Alliston, Ontario, it combined a car-like unibody with a 3.5-litre V6 of 179 kW (240 hp) and 332 Nm. Its VTM-4 all-wheel-drive system could lock torque to the rear axle at low speed. Its third row seated two. For 2004 power rose to 198 kW (265 hp). From 2003 to 2006 the car was also sold as the Honda MDX in some markets.

Second generation (2007–2013)

The second MDX reached US dealers on 17 October 2006. Its 3.7-litre V6 produced 224 kW (300 hp) and 366 Nm. It also introduced SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive), which can send more torque to the outside rear wheel in a corner to help the car turn. The 2010 facelift brought a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters. The car grew to 4,867 mm in length and 1,994 mm in width.

Third generation (2014–2020)

Production of the third MDX began on 2 May 2013, and sales started on 20 June 2013. Production moved to Lincoln, Alabama. A direct-injection 3.5-litre V6 gave 216 kW (290 hp) and 362 Nm, and for the first time buyers could choose front-wheel drive.

The 2017 facelift added a new grille, LED headlights and the MDX Sport Hybrid. This combined a 3.0-litre V6 with three electric motors (two of them driving the rear wheels) for a system output of 239 kW (321 hp) and 392 Nm, with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The petrol model switched from a six-speed to a ZF nine-speed automatic for 2016. According to Acura's launch data, the nine-speed was 30 kg lighter than the old gearbox, and the revised SH-AWD unit saved another 8.6 kg.

Fourth generation (from 2022)

Acura showed a near-production prototype on 14 October 2020, and series production started in East Liberty, Ohio, on 12 January 2021; the 2021 model year was skipped. The 3.5-litre V6 keeps 216 kW (290 hp) but now drives through a ten-speed automatic. The MDX Type S adds a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 with 265 kW (355 hp). A facelift for the 2025 model year, revealed on 9 April 2024, brought a 12.3-inch touchscreen, built-in Google services and wireless smartphone connection.

MDX engines, gearboxes and performance

Compared with the first MDX, the Type S has 86 kW more power from a smaller engine, a measure of how far turbocharging moved the class in two decades. Where the MDX sits among other powerful SUVs is shown in the 1cars ranking of the most powerful SUVs.

Dimensions, seating and cargo space

All four generations have three rows. The third row suits children or adults on short trips; the second row slides, and on the third and fourth generations some trims replace the bench with two captain's chairs, reducing seating to six. The fourth-generation MDX weighs about 1,937–2,071 kg (4,271–4,565 lb), depending on drive and trim.

MDX fuel economy and running costs

The V6 MDX is not a frugal car. The Sport Hybrid of 2017–2020 was the most economical version and can be a good used buy where it was sold, but its complex drivetrain needs a dealer with hybrid experience. The petrol V6s are well known for durability; on the J-series engines, timing-belt replacement at the scheduled interval is the main large service item. Owners of early cars with the nine-speed ZF gearbox reported jerky shifts, which later software updates improved.

MDX safety ratings

In the US, the 2014 MDX received five stars overall from NHTSA, including for frontal, side and rollover protection, and IIHS ratings of "Good" in most categories. The 2018 model earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick award, and the fourth-generation MDX was a Top Safety Pick+ for 2022. From 2016 the AcuraWatch package bundled adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and collision-mitigation braking. We found no Euro NCAP test of the MDX, which Acura has not offered in Western Europe.

Rivals: how the MDX compares

The MDX has ranked as the second best-selling mid-size luxury SUV in the US behind the Lexus RX, with a peak of 65,603 sales in 2014. Any of these models can be set side by side in the 1cars comparison tool.