Acura MDX Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision

in Car Comparisons
Acura MDX in a showroom

Source: Flickr

The Acura MDX is an athletically inclined luxury vehicle option, providing a fun driving experience and an attractive appearance at the same time. Of course, there are still some issues with the MDX, leading to the question - are there any significant Acura MDX pros and cons to consider?

Although the Acura MDX is an excellent vehicle, that doesn’t mean it’s without its flaws. Whether you’re purchasing the Acura MDX as a new or used selection. Let’s help you make an informed decision by looking at the pros and cons to determine if it’s the right choice for your current position in life.

What We Love: Acura MDX Pros

Let’s dive right into it with the best parts associated with the Acura MDX pros and cons. These are active advocates for the vehicle. 

Sleek Appearance 

You can’t beat the incredible appearance of the Acura MDX. It’s like the powerful performance SUV that it is, with sleek lines and bold statements for all to see. The Acura MDX is easily a head-turner, offering a powerful driving experience anyone will enjoy. Of course, the excellent appearance does make it a little pricier than less enticing vehicles.

The Acura MDX is a luxury automobile for those who would like to get a little more performance and athleticism out of their car, and that’s evident in the design. It offers a little bit of class and a bit of a competitive edge as if it might leap onto the track if someone needed it to move. 


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Plenty of Equipped Advanced Technology

Another benefit of the Acura MDX is that it comes with advanced technology. It includes a massive 12.3-inch touchscreen, center-console mounted control panel, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an in-dash navigation and Wi-Fi hotspot. There’s plenty to glean from the Acura MDX, and it doesn’t just stop at entertaining driving additions.

There’s also plenty of advanced safety technology that comes standard in the Acura MDX. The car includes automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist. Each is helpful and outpaces many cars where these features require an additional cost to add to the system. 

Efficient, Quick Driving

The Acura MDX offers excellent performance, whether you’re more of a luxury-based driver or someone who wants to kick it up a notch. According to caranddriver.com, the MDX comes equipped with a 290-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available all-wheel-drive if you don’t want to stick with the standard front-wheel drive. 

If you want something a little faster, consider the Type S version of the MDX. It has a 355-hp 3.0-liter V-6 turbocharged engine with standard all-wheel-drive and significant power. It’s agile and powerful, hitting 60 mph in 5.5 seconds versus the 6.4 that the lowest trim brings (which still isn’t terrible for a three-row SUV). 


THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE ACURA MDX

If you’re looking for a used version of this vehicle, look at all available options. You might wonder - what is the most reliable Acura MDX year?


Airy, Exciting Cabin

Finally, you’ll find an airy and exciting cabin with the Acura MDX, ensuring it’s comfortable to ride inside and practical in all its features. It has a premium look, and the higher-end trims are boosted with open-pore wood and stitched leather accents. Metal and black dot the inside to make it flashier than ever.

Heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and leather upholstery add to the overall ambiance of the cabin. The first and second rows provide plenty of room for passengers, and the driver has the potential to add massage features and further adjustability to make it even better.

What We Dislike: Acura MDX Cons

You can’t mention the Acura MDX pros and cons without discussing the negatives. These have the potential to ruin the MDX for some.

Tiny Third Row

Like many three-row SUV selections, the Acura MDX doesn’t have much room in the back. It’s such a small row that only children will find themselves comfortable and able to spread out in the back. Adults can fit back there, but it won’t be long before it becomes a seriously uncomfortable experience.

The legroom of the third row is a mere 29.1 inches, far smaller than the offerings of the first and second row by nearly 10-12 inches. If you’re constantly transporting three rows of people around, you might want to look elsewhere for a car with a third row. 

Lower Fuel Efficiency 

The size and ability of the Acura MDX also lower the fuel efficiency. According to acuraofmilford.com, you will get 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway in most trims. In the Type S, you will get a mere 17 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. 

Of course, it is critical to consider that the Acura MDX is more fuel-efficient than ever before. However, the position where it is today still isn’t ideal for a person who needs to commute long distances. 


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Issues With Infotainment

Unfortunately, the Acura MDX chose to go with a center console touchpad as the main method to control the infotainment. While it’s a good idea in theory, many drivers dislike the control and even find issues when attempting to use the system. 

The touchpad can be very sensitive, which can cause a driver to easily get off track if they press too hard. Also, the touchpad seems to make things unnecessarily complicated when compared to a traditional touchscreen method.

Should You Buy an Acura MDX?

We’re left with one final question after going through the Acura MDX pros and cons - is it a good idea to purchase an Acura MDX?

Although there are some significant issues with the MDX, it’s worth it for the standard technology and the effort made to provide room for passengers and cargo. It also looks good and will provide plenty of opportunity for an excellent car rise. 

If you do go with the Acura MDX, stay away from 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2014, 2016, or 2017 selections. They have serious troubles and will provide the least value for your investment.



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