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SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
Technology Package 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
Technology Package 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
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Technology Package 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
Technology Package 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
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SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
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SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
Overall Rating
The present Acura MDX model belongs to the third MDX generation introduced in 2014. The virtues of the Acura MDX remain intact.
Under production since 2000, the Acura MDX is a mid-size three-row luxury crossover that Honda claims to be the best-selling three-row luxury crossover of all time. It is not difficult to see why that might be so, as the SUV offers a lot of bang for your buck with excellent everyday performance and driveability.
Now it also offers a hybrid powertrain that has been adopted from none other than Acura’s own NSX Supercar. The 2019 Acura MDX now offers many changes and upgrades over its predecessor which makes it even more capable.Â
Acura has always offered cars with single trim but allows buyers to upgrade their vehicle with available optional packages. The MDX comes well equipped without any additional package but we would recommend the one with a Technology package that adds to the driver aids and safety features like blind-spot monitoring, lane assist, and a navigation system to start with. If you want a better driving experience, opt for the AWD MDX that helps enhance the stability and handling of the car.
Advance Package 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
Advance Package 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
Technology Package 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
Technology Package 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
The present Acura MDX model belongs to the third MDX generation introduced in 2014. The virtues of the Acura MDX remain intact.
Under production since 2000, the Acura MDX is a mid-size three-row luxury crossover that Honda claims to be the best-selling three-row luxury crossover of all time. It is not difficult to see why that might be so, as the SUV offers a lot of bang for your buck with excellent everyday performance and driveability.
Now it also offers a hybrid powertrain that has been adopted from none other than Acura’s own NSX Supercar. The 2019 Acura MDX now offers many changes and upgrades over its predecessor which makes it even more capable.Â
The 2019 Acura MDX offers a seating capacity of up to seven. It's offered in four trim levels (also termed as packages): Standard, Technology, Advance, and A-Spec. The Standard and Technology MDXs come nicely equipped, while the Advance comes with a bulk amount of features required for an SUV of this class. A-Spec is an appearance package and offers major cosmetic refinement to the car.
All of the above trims come powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that churns out 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The MDX's engine is further paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission with either FWD or AWD configuration. The Sport Hybrid is offered with a smaller 3.0-liter V6 in conjunction with three electric motors (combined 321 hp, 289 lb-ft). The engine is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission.
Trims |
Standard |
Technology Package |
A-Spec Package |
Advance Package |
Entertainment Package |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Starting Price |
$45,295 |
$49,300 |
$54,800 |
$56,050 |
$51,300 |
Key Features |
Jewel Eye LED Headlights |
9-inch full VGA Screen |
LED Foglights |
LED Foglights |
16.2 Ultra-Wide Full VGA Screen with Split Screen Capability |
Moonroof with Tilt and Slide Function |
Rear Door sunshades |
A-Spec Badge on front fenders and Tailgate |
Automatic Dimming Side Mirrors |
Second Row Bench Seating |
|
Power-operated Tailgate |
Second-row captain's chairs |
Dark chrome and Lighting details |
Heated Second-row captain's chairs |
12th Speaker for improved Surround sound |
|
Capless Fuel fill |
Removable ceiling mounted remote control |
A-Spec exclusive dual exhaust outlets |
Roof Rails |
HDMI Compatibility |
|
Acoustic Windshield and Front Side Glass |
11th Speaker for improved Surround sound |
Leather-wrapped A-Spec Steering Wheel |
Heated and Ventilated front seats |
||
Smart Entry |
Front center console 110-volt power outlet |
Heated Steering Wheel |
|||
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
|||||
Acura Premium Audi System with 8 speakers |
|||||
Siri Eyes Free |
|||||
Sirius XM Satellite Radio |
|||||
Acura Watch of Driver Assist Features |
|||||
Heated Side Mirrors with Reverse-Gear Tilt down |
Which trim should you buy?
Acura has always offered cars with single trim but allows buyers to upgrade their vehicle with available optional packages. The MDX comes well equipped without any additional package but we would recommend the one with a Technology package that adds to the driver aids and safety features like blind-spot monitoring, lane assist, and a navigation system to start with. If you want a better driving experience, opt for the all-wheel driven MDX that helps enhance the stability and handling of the car.
The standard engine is a 3.5 Liter naturally aspirated V6 delivering 290 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 267 lb-ft of torque at 4700 rpm. The SUV delivers power in a smooth fashion staying noise-free during regular driving. However, when you do plan to put your foot down, the engine gets loud but maintains its refined nature. The throttle response is quite remarkable for an SUV, and it works exactly as desired. Even while the horsepower figure is not as astounding, what helps the engine in offering brisk performance is its lightweight. FWD is offered as standard and the gasoline version can tow up to 5,000 pounds. The hybrid version offers better performance as well as efficiency. The engine is further mated to a 9-Speed automatic gearbox which takes care of all the transmission duties. It is not exactly sporty by any means but does offer a fuss-free experience.
Models |
Acura MDX SUV |
Volvo XC90 T5 Momentum SUV |
Audi Q7 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV |
Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring SUV |
BMW X5 xDrive 40i Sports Activity Vehicle |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$44,300 |
$47,200 |
$53,550 |
$41,835 |
$60,700 |
Engine |
3.5L V6 |
2.0L i4 |
2.0L i4 |
2.5L i4 |
2.0L i6 |
Transmission |
9 Speed automatic |
8 Speed automatic |
8 Speed automatic |
6 Speed automatic |
8 Speed automatic |
Horsepower |
290 hp@ 6200rpm |
250 hp@ 5500rpm |
252 hp@ 5000rpm |
227 hp@ 5000rpm |
335 hp@ 5500rpm |
Torque |
267 ft-lbs@ 4700rpm |
258 ft-lbs@ 1500rpm |
273 ft-lbs@ 1600rpm |
310 ft-lbs@ 2000rpm |
330 ft-lbs@ 1500rpm |
As can be seen from the spec sheet, the BMW X5 offers the best in class power as well as torque. It is also the most engaging SUV to drive in its class follower by the Mazda CX-9. The Acura MDX had never been on the top chart when it came to performance but this has drastically changed with its latest iterations. The Volvo XC90 offers the least amount of power and thus feels the most lethargic to drive.
With the 2019 Acura MDX SUV, the acceleration feels confident as well as linear. The MDX goes from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds, which is considerably quicker than the Infiniti QX60 and the Lexus RX 350L. This is true for its base engine option as the optional hybrid model can do the same in about 5.7 seconds. It is slower than rivals equipped that come powered with supercharged or turbocharged six-cylinder engines.
Models |
Acura MDX SUV |
Volvo XC90 T5 Momentum SUV |
Audi Q7 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV |
Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring SUV |
BMW X5 xDrive 40i Sports Activity Vehicle |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 MPH |
6.3 sec |
7.5 sec |
5.9 sec |
7 sec |
5.3 sec |
Quarter mile |
N/A |
15.3 sec |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
When it comes to the stopping power of the 2019 Acura MDX SUV, the brake pedal feels light, but it's easy for bringing a smooth stop due to predictable modulation. The braking distance offered by the MDX is 121 feet, an average stopping distance for the class. In terms of the ride, you get the best in class suspension with adaptive dampers as an option. This SUV is quite the best in class when it comes to dealing with rough surfaces and keeping its passengers away from bumps and potholes.
Over on the highways, it remains planted and the steering offers quite a lot of feedback. Thus, in terms of handling, it is quite remarkably engineered as it feels like any regular car to drive around in the city. The MDX offers three steering mode settings. Under normal setting returns back a nice balance between feeling light but precise, while Sport's tighter on-center effort provides better stability at highway speeds.
Model |
Acura MDX SUV |
Volvo XC90 T5 Momentum SUV |
Audi Q7 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV |
Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring SUV |
BMW X5 xDrive 40i Sports Activity Vehicle |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brake Front (in.) |
12.6 |
13.2 |
14.8 |
12.6 |
N/A |
Brake Rear (in.) |
13 |
12.1 |
13.8 |
12.8 |
N/A |
Curb Weight (lbs.) |
4032 |
4771 |
4696 |
4217 |
4813 |
60-0 MPH (ft.) |
116 |
113 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
The torque-vectoring AWD system is quite impressive. It reduces understeer and allows this big SUV to move around corners when you really push it. In most situations, the MDX lacks the sportiness like a regular sporty SUV, but it sure works on the handling part. The AWD is designed for better terrain exploration, which is hard to find in a luxury-oriented SUV of this class. It lacks hill descent control.
The 2019 Acura MDX, with FWD, comfortably manages to return a fuel economy of 20 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on highways, for a combined output of 23 MPG. AWD models lose 1 MPG across the board. The A-Spec package knocks those numbers down further to 19/25/21 MPG and Hybrid models offer significantly better numbers at 26/27/27 MPG. All in all, the 2019 Acura MDX's gas mileage figures are fairly respectable, and the SUV certainty doesn't disappoint in this regard.
Model |
Acura MDX SUV |
Volvo XC90 T5 Momentum SUV |
Audi Q7 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV |
Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring SUV |
BMW X5 xDrive 40i Sports Activity Vehicle |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (city) |
20 |
21 |
19 |
22 |
18 |
MPG (highway) |
27 |
29 |
25 |
28 |
24 |
MPG (combined) |
23 |
24 |
21 |
24 |
20 |
These numbers put the Acura MDX right in the mix with its rivals. The Volvo XC90 is rated at 24 mpg combined, which is the best in its class. Better fuel economy could be offered with the future iterations of the MDX but for the 2019 model year, the fuel efficiency is the same. The BMW X5, being more focused on offering blistering performance naturally offers the least fuel efficient engine. Acura MDX’s lighter weight helps the SUV score high in terms of fuel economy. Thus, the MDX is a much more practical SUV in comparison to its German rivals.
The Acura MDX is spacious for the midsize luxury segment, and though its third row is compact, it's more usable than most of the cars in this league. Still, prominent models such as the Honda Pilot are more practical. Clever single-press buttons slide the 2nd-row seats for third-row access, but the resulting pass-through for adults can be inaccessible. Otherwise, there's good access to the front- and second-row seats in comparison to others in the segment.
A highly adjustable driver's seat and a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column are available as standard on all MDX models, so you will be able to find a comfortable position across the cabin. The third row is somewhat meant for kids and perhaps adults of short heights. Still, it's good than the third row of some other luxury SUVs in the segment. The front seats are spacious in every dimension, but the headroom in the second row is limited.
Model |
Acura MDX SUV |
Volvo XC90 T5 Momentum SUV |
Audi Q7 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV |
Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring SUV |
BMW X5 xDrive 40i Sports Activity Vehicle |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger capacity |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
5 |
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
38.1/61.1/41.4 |
38.9/57.7/40.9 |
38.4/59.5/41.7 |
39.3/57.9/41.0 |
40.8/60/39.8 |
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
38.3/59.1/36.6 |
38.5/56.5/37.0 |
38.8/58.5/38.8 |
38.5/58.1/39.4 |
38.7/58.1/37.4 |
Cargo Volume (ft.3) |
15.0 |
41.8 |
14.8 |
14.4 |
33.9 |
The Acura MDX comes with a three-row seating configuration, so the desire for good cargo space remains unfulfilled. The MDX offers a cargo volume of 15 cubic feet, which is significantly less in comparison to all of its rivals. The Volvo XC90 comes with the largest cargo volume, offering a staggering 41.8 cubic feet of storage space. Comparing the competition, the BMW X5 offers the most headroom in the front row, while the Acura MDX boasts the highest shoulder room. Conversely, the Audi Q7 offers the most front low legroom. At the back, the Q7 offers the most headroom, the Acura MDX comes with the most shoulder space, while the Mazda CX-9 has the highest legroom to offer.Â
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The 2019 Acura MDX enjoys a great amalgamation of elegant yet tough looks and luxury with uncompromised practicality. As with other cars from Acura, this flagship SUV got an attractive diamond-pentagon grille, and the Jewel Eye LED headlights are just beautiful to look at. Roof rails add more glamour to MDX's personality and provide practicality as well. Hybrid versions of MDX look similar to the standard version. The new, sportier Acura MDX A-Spec gets 20-inch wheels that half-inch wider than the standard model, bolder front fascia, larger-diameter exhaust finishers, and gloss-black accents. While looks are a subjective affair, the Acura MDX SUV is he biggest SUV in terms of road presernce. In comaprison, the Acura MDX offers a similar exterior character but in a smaller package. It is offers a simple and a subtle exterior package with the A-Spec package offering a but more bling for some extra money.
Model |
Acura MDX SUV |
Volvo XC90 T5 Momentum SUV |
Audi Q7 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV |
Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring SUV |
BMW X5 xDrive 40i Sports Activity Vehicle |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Curb weight (lbs.) |
4032 |
4771 |
4696 |
4217 |
4813 |
Length(in) |
196.2 |
194.9 |
199.6 |
199.4 |
194.3 |
Width(in) |
77.7 |
79.1 |
77.5 |
77.5 |
78.9 |
Height(in) |
67.4 |
69.9 |
68.5 |
69.0 |
69 |
Ground clearance (in) |
7.3 |
9.4 |
8.1 |
8.8 |
8.5 |
Wheelbase (in) |
111.0 |
117.5 |
117.9 |
115.3 |
117.1 |
Track width (in) F/R |
66.3/66.3 |
65.7/65.8 |
66.1/66.6 |
65.3/65.2 |
66.1/66.9 |
Among the competition, the 2019 Acura MDX straight-up comes off as the lightest vehicle. The Audi Q7 measures the longest in the lot, albeit by a small margin over the Mazda CX-9. The 2019 BMW X5 boasts the greatest width, while the Volvo XC90 stands the tallest among the competition. The XC90 also comes with the greatest ground clearance, while the Acura MDX hangs closest to the tarmac. The Audi Q7 wins the wheelbase battle, while the Acura MDX has the shortest wheelbase on offer.
The 2019 Acura MDX scored an overall crash test rating of 5-stars under the NHTSA's tests. The IIHS has also rewarded the MDX the highest rating of "Good" in its five crash tests. This in itself speaks volumes about the Japanese manufacturer's commitment to safety. Additionally, the MDX comes fitted with a wide range of airbags to keep its passengers secured during a crash. Also, the SUV is offered with several electronic aids that help it in preventing accidents in the first place. All in all, it is safe to say that the 2019 Acura MDX is an incredibly safe vehicle for daily commutes. Some key safety features offered with the 2019 Acura MDX include:
Safety Features
The Volvo XC90 is quite similar to the MDX in multiple aspects. However, the Acura returns a more engaging ride quality, but the Volvo has a splendid cabin. The XC90 offers best-in-class cargo space, and it boasts a more attractive cabin in the class. Your choice depends on whether you place a higher bet on performance or interior quality.
The front and mid seat belts of the Audi Q7 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and remove slack in the event of a collision and force prohibiters limit the pressure of the belts. The Acura MDX doesn't offer pretensioners for mid-seat belts.
The Q7 45 TFSI's standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 6 lbs.-ft better torque (273 vs. 267) than the MDX's standard 3.5 SOHC V6 engine. The Q7 55 TFSI's standard 3.0 supercharged V6 powertrain churns out 8 hp more horsepower (329 vs. 321) and 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (325 vs. 289) in comparison to the MDX Sport Hybrid's standard 3.0 SOHC V6 hybrid.
The 2019 Acura MDX is one of the best-suited luxury midsize SUVs in its class. It offers robust performance and an upmarket interior loaded with value-added features. No matter it gets a low predicted reliability rating, but it doesn't possess big flaws. The MDX also comes with great fuel economy and practicality, which certainly add points in the Japanese SUV's favor. The potent engine makes highway driving a breeze and overtaking convenient. If you seek a 3-row luxury SUV with an array of safety features, a big list of amenities, good power, reliability, and a decent reputation, you can go ahead with the MDX without any doubt.