Used 2017 Acura MDX for sale 

The 2017 Acura MDX comes in a total of three trims and all trims can either be availed in AWD or RWD. The entry-level trim, the Base trim, comes at a price of $44,050 and incorporates a host of safety features that were not present on the base model earlier. Then, there is the Technology package that comes with a price tag of $48,460. Finally, comes the range-topping trim called the Advance package, which is priced at $54,500. A lot of creature comforts and riding aids such as auto engine start-stop, sport seats, and rear parking sensors make their way to the top trim.

Additionally, there is an Entertainment Package on offer which further equips the SUV with entertainment-specific features such as a rear-seat entertainment system with DVD-Player. It can be had either with the Advanced trim or the Technology trims exclusively. With the Technology trim, it adds a 9-inch screen and 11 speakers while with the Advanced trim it gets a 16.2-inch screen, 12 speakers along with HDMI input.

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The Technology package trim seems to hit the sweet spot amongst all other trims. It is not overly expensive and adds more useful features over the base model. Several advanced techs like remote engine start, navigation system, and many more make their way in this trim.

The Acura MDX is powered by a standard naturally-aspirated 3.5L V6 engine that is good for 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque output. The motor is paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain, on the whole, is what makes the SUV stand its ground among its rivals. The refinement levels of the motor are quite surprising and the power delivery is quite linear in nature and more relaxed.

However, the engine with its torque concentrated more towards the higher end of the rev-range, makes it feels more like a car than a true blue SUV from behind the wheel. However, the fun-to-drive nature of the car makes you smile every time you decide to floor it. 

In comparison to its rivals, the MDX is the least powerful vehicle on the list with a power output of 290 hp. The Audi Q7 with its 333 hp engine is the most powerful SUV amongst the rivals here with the BMW X6 taking the second spot with its I-6 turbo motor generating 300 horsepower. The Infiniti QX60 is slightly more powerful than the MDX but its CVT feels weaker in comparison to the 9-speed unit of the MDX and the 8-speed automatic unit of the BMW X6.

Acceleration

As soon as you floor the throttle the MDX offers a good surge of power, which displays how capable and energetic the motor is. Although crossovers rarely display sportiness in their character, the MDX is a breath of fresh air with its spirited off-the-line performance. The SUV hits the 60 mph mark in 6.2 seconds but still stands at third place.

Amongst the rivals, the Audi Q7 naturally takes the top spot by completing the 0-60mph sprint in 5.7 seconds while the second spot is taken by the BMW X6 which takes 6 seconds to achieve the same feat. The 2018 Acura MDX has an electronically limited top speed of 130 MPH which is the same as the 2017 BMW X6. However, it is the Audi Q7 that goes the fastest with the top speed limited at 155MPH. The Infiniti QX60 is the slowest one here majorly owing to its CVT unit.

Ride and Handling

The ride and handling are perhaps the strongest points of the 2017 Acura MDX SUV. The driving experience is amazingly sporty for a vehicle of its size. The clever torque vectoring system, especially in the AWD trims, does an amazing job by diverting up to 70 percent of the power to rear wheels. The shifts are snappy, and the overall feel to the steering feels delightfully natural and will go on to please the enthusiast in everyone.

Braking

Brakes on the 2017 Acura MDX feature a 12.6-inch rotor on the front and a 13.0-inch rotor on the rear. The brake response is sharp, courtesy of the precision offered by the brake pedals. The vehicle never feels out of control even during emergency braking. The Acura MDX is a hefty vehicle but still manages to come to a complete standstill from 60 mph in about 123 feet. 

It's the Q7 that takes the second spot here with an impressive stopping distance of 117 feet. However, the Q7 is the heaviest in the lot at over 4,938 lbs, almost 1,000lbs heavier than the RWD MDX. The BMW X6 gets the most sophisticated braking tech with powerful electronics baking it which translates to its 105 ft of stopping distance. The Infiniti QX60 is marginally better than the MDX.

Most of the buyers today are more concerned about the fuel economy than ever, owing to the rising fuel costs. The Acura MDX is not a particularly frugal SUV but it manages to offer a decent fuel economy of 22 MPG combined. The SUV gets a large 19.5-gallon fuel tank, which can give 526 miles of highway and 370 miles of city range. The fuel economy is respectable considering the MDX to be a large luxury SUV. 

In comparison to its rivals, the 2017 MDX mpg ratings are quite similar and thus stands shoulder to shoulder with the competitors. The Audi Q7 gets the largest fuel tank at 22.5 gallons. The adequate fuel economy helps the SUV to attain a maximum highway range of 562.5 miles, which is 2 miles more than the BMW X6. The Infiniti QX60 is the most fuel-efficient SUV in the city, offering 20 MPG. The overall driving range of the Acura MDX is just at par with the rivals as well.

The cabin of the Acura MDX offers a spacious seating capacity along with some upscale and premium interior bits and pieces. The vehicle offers comfy seating for up to 7 occupants. With legroom of 41.4 inches in the front, there is enough space to stretch and relax. On the top-end variants, the leather draped seats along with ventilation and heating functions bring a whole new dimension to the comfort levels inside the vehicle.

The same can be said for the rear seats as well since they offer a roomy and comfortable seating area and thus makes all the claustrophobia go poof up in the air. The tri-zone climate control further ups the ante of the comfort stats of the MDX.

In comparison, the Infiniti QX60 leads the competition in terms of space with a legroom of 42.3 inches. The 2nd spot is taken up by the Audi Q7 at 41.7 inches and the gatekeeper of the segment is the BMW X6 with legroom of 40.4 inches. The MDX's third-row seats are cramped and can only be used comfortably for kids and luggage items. You sit a bit knees high in the Q7's third-row as well which makes it cramped for adults on long-distance journeys as well.

Few key features include-

• Three Zone Climate control
• Heated and Ventilated Seats
• Sunroof
• Foldable Rear Seats
• Electronic adjustments for front seats

Infotainment

The Acura MDX sports a dual-screen setup with one of them mounted to the dashtop and another one inside the center console. There is a huge room for improvement in this department as the entire MMI is infuriatingly downmarket. The response times are something that you'll just have to live by, while the rivals like the Audi Q7 offer a lot more advanced and user-friendly interface.

Some major infotainment features of the Acura MDX are -

• A combination of 7-inch and 8-inch touchscreen displays
• Bluetooth
• Five USB ports
• Siri Eyes
• Satellite radio
• Pandora capability
• HD Radio
• CD Player

Cargo Capacity

The 2017 Acura MDX can pack in an adequate amount of cargo for a long trip in its trunk. The boot offers up to 14.9 cu-ft of storage with all the seats in place. However, you can fold down the rear seats to open up more space to carry more. The seats split and fold in a 50/50 way to open up 38.4 cu-ft of luggage room. 

The BMW X6 offers the best trunk space among the rivals here but the Infiniti QX60 takes the crown when it comes to offering a massive overall cargo capacity with the rear seats folded. The Audi Q7 trails the QX60 in terms of trunk space but disappoints in the initial trunk space aspect.

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The 2017 Acura MDX offers a refreshed exterior design, which makes it look sporty from all perspectives. The MDX is a full-size 3-row family SUV with the curb weight tipping the scales at 4,001 lbs. It is also one of the longest vehicles in the segment with a length of 196.2 inches. To accommodate the three rows, it sports a modest wheelbase of 111.0 inches. Just like its grand and luxurious interiors, the exteriors of the 2017 MDX look well sculpted and elegant and offers the car a masculine look.

The SUV offers quite a lot of modern-day design features, which include ‘Jewel’-like LED headlamps that make it look quite special on the road. The Q7 has subtle exteriors that blend in rather than stand out. The coupe-like styling in the X6 does turn heads more than anything else on the road. The QX60 follows the true-Infiniti design language with its wide grille and beefy stands.

The 2017 Acura MDX comes with a host of exterior features -

• 20-inch alloy wheels(optional)
• Standard 18-inch alloy wheels
• Pentagon-shaped front grille
• LED DRLs
• LED headlights

The 2017 Acura MDX safety features are comprehensive and are enough to put even the pricier vehicles to shame. There is a handsome list of both active and passive safety features to keep the occupants safe. Moreover, the car has been allotted a 5-star safety rating in almost all the segments when tested by the NHTSA. Safety and reliability are never going to be a concern for the 2017 Acura MDX.

Following are some of the safety features that come with the new MDX SUV -

• Dual-Stage, Multiple-Threshold Front Airbags (SRS)
• Front Side Airbags Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor
• Driver's Knee Airbag Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
• Traction Control and Motion Adaptive Steering 4-Wheel
• Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
• Brake Assist LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Location & Pressure Indicators
• Theft-Deterrent System

Infiniti QX60 Vs Acura MDX

The Infiniti QX60 is a fine offering from the Japanese automotive giant. The SUV is a sporty-looking vehicle from the outside with sharp body styling and a well-balanced front and rear fascia. The list of safety features might not be as long as the MDX, but it still is enough to rank it in the higher spots in the segment.

However, the Infiniti QX60 is not even half as fun to drive as the Acura MDX. The steering response is nowhere near what the MDX has to offer and even has a little body roll while cutting corners aggressively.

Acura MDX Vs BMW X6

The BMW X6 sports a look like no other SUV in the segment with its Coupe styling. It is a blend of a sleek-looking sedan with a sloping roofline and an SUV. The car is fun to zip around on the tarmac and responds fairly well to driver inputs. The interior quality and the layout feel great with rich looking and soft-touch materials generously spread throughout the cabin.

But, if you're looking for a family vehicle, the BMW X6 is no match for the Acura MDX. The utility has certainly taken a back seat with the BMW and even the legroom in the rear is not satisfactory for a vehicle of its cost.

Acura MDX Vs Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 has been the poster boy for luxury SUVs for a long time and for good reason. The interior quality is probably the best in the segment, and the layout is an ergonomic delight as well. Other than that, there is enough tech present on the inside of this car.

The Audi Q7 is a great vehicle that does the job of an SUV well and can even take a fair bit of off-roading with its 4 wheel drive powertrain. All in all, the Audi seems to be the better vehicle amongst the two.

With the introduction of the new MDX, Acura offers a vehicle that gives the masses a great alternative to the German competitors and comes with enough pedigree to dethrone them in some aspects. The vehicle is charming from both the inside and the outside along with its noteworthy Jewel-like LED headlamp units. Seating for 7 people makes it a great family vehicle, and even the utility part is preserved perfectly. All in all, if you're looking for a multipurpose family SUV, then the 2017 Acura MDX stands as a great car to go with.