The 2021 Acura MDX continues to flaunt a fine balance of luxury and exploitable performance that is rare to come by in this segment and price point. A total of 5 trims are offered with the new Acura MDX, however, a new Type S model slated for 2022 will take the count to 6. It will also ride on a platform the same as the new 2021 Acura TLX and the 2022 Acura MDX.
The 2021 Acura MDX will mark the end of the ongoing generation
Prices for the 2021 Acura MDX, meanwhile, are expected to begin from $46,000 and could go past the $60k mark for the top trim. If you want to lease an MDX, the 2020 model can be yours for roughly around $419/month for 36 months with a premium of $2,999 due at signing for the FWD models. For the SH-AWD MDX models, the amount due at signing rises to $3,499.
Vehicle images are guides only and may not reflect the model's exact specifications/features– exact specifications/features should be confirmed with the seller.
"In its relentless pursuit of "Precision Crafted Performance" Acura is also going to offer a spicier MDX Type S, a sportier variant that will be powered by a turbo 3.0-liter V6" - MotorTrend
Acura hasn't released the pricing of the 2021 MDX's trim levels yet, but getting a minor bump in the prices over the 2020 model is almost certain. The 2021 MDX is available with just one powertrain- a standard 290 hp 3.5L V6. The outgoing 2020 MDX's hybrid powertrain is not released officially yet. The 2022 update of MDX is the most intriguing in the lineup's history.
2022 Acura MDX will come loaded with premium features and modern technology!
Some highlights include Acura’s all-digital Precision Cockpit, the latest generation of Acura’s intuitive True Touchpad Interface running on a 12.3-inch center display, “Signature Edition” ELS STUDIO 3D premium audio system with 25 speakers. The 2022 MDX also has enhanced safety technologies, most of which were first seen on the new 2021 TLX. The expanded suite of AcuraWatch safety and driver-assistive technologies include enhanced Road Departure Mitigation, new Traffic Jam Assist, and new Low-Speed Braking Control.
As for the 2021 Acura MDX, the Standard trim's prices start around $46,000. For that you get features like Jewel Eye LED headlights, heated leather seats with 12-way power adjustability, tri-zone automatic climate control, 8-speaker Acura audio system, leather interior trim, and dual exhaust outlets. The Technology Package trim will start above $51,000 for the base 290 hp 3.5L V6 and FWD configuration. This trim gets additional features like a 10-speaker premium ELS audio system, navigation system with a 3D view, natural wood trim, and LED puddle lights. The A-Spec Package is only available as an all-wheel-drive only.
2021 Acura MDX SUV's prices could start at over $46,000
This trim gets A-Spec seats with perforated Milano premium leather and Alcantara-trimmed interior, heated and ventilated front seats, A-Spec exclusive dual exhaust outlets. The Advance Package again comes standard with front-wheel drive and is priced at $56,250. Features offered with this trim include 2nd-row sunshades, heated steering wheel, surround-view camera, head-up warning, and 2nd-row captain’s chairs among others. The Entertainment Package trim adds either a 9-inch LCD overhead rear entertainment console with Technology Package or a 16.2-inch extra-wide LCD overhead rear entertainment console with the Advance Package. Prices for the Entertainment Package start at around $53,500.
If you’re in the market looking for a functional and practical luxury family SUV, then the Standard trim of the MDX should be good enough. It comes with a plethora of features at a reasonable price tag and offers all the things in the world that you would expect from a luxury family SUV. So, our pick here is the Standard trim level of the MDX with all-wheel drive.
"If you're looking for more power, check out the 2022 MDX Type S, with its 3.0-liter turbo engine. This SUV should offer roughly 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, along with the company's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive." - RoadShow
2022 Acura MDX's V6 or turbo V6 comes paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission!
The engine delivers power smoothly and in a linear fashion and feels super refined. The 9-speed gearbox is not the quickest around but is not a deal-breaker. However, as the 2022 MDX will be based on the same platform as the new TLX. Accordingly, the transmission could also be swapped with a 10-speed automatic unit.
More Performance focussed than before- improved 0-60 mph time!
The time required to reach the quarter-mile is 14.6 seconds. The Acura MDX gets 12.6 inches discs at the front and 13.0-inch discs at the rear. The SUV comes to a complete halt within a distance of 116 feet when stopping from 60 MPH. But the Cadillac XT5 gets the largest set of brakes, and hence, has the lowest stopping distance in the competition of 111 feet.
MDX delivers big when it comes to all-round efficiency. In the city, the car goes for about 20 miles on a gallon of fuel, while on the highway it returns 27 miles to the gallon. The 2021 MDX gets a combined EPA rating of 23 MPG, which is pretty impressive for an SUV of this size and performance.
2022 Acura MDX's new digital instrument cluster features different driving modes!
Sure efficiency is affected with the SH-AWD setup but not a by a lot. One can also opt for an Acura MDX with a Hybrid engine if efficiency stands high on your priority list. The 19.5-gallon fuel tank returns a satisfactory driving range of 429 miles which helps it stay clear of the last spot in the segment.
Models
Acura MDX
Cadillac XT5
Buick Enclave
Jaguar F-Pace
MPG (City)
19
18
17
22
MPG (Highway)
26
25
25
27
MPG (Combined)
22
20
20
24
Fuel Capacity
19.5 gallons
21.7 gallons
21.7 gallons
21.7 gallons
Range (City/Highway/Combined)
371/507/429 miles
391/543/434 miles
369/543/434 miles
477/586/520 miles
The Jaguar F-Pace has the best fuel economy figures, thanks to its all-aluminum construction which keeps the weight in check. The XT5 and the Enclave, on the other hand, deliver the lowest fuel economy numbers despite having fuel tanks of size the same as the F-Pace.
"Acura also outfitted the MDX with plenty of creature comforts, such as dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and leather upholstery." - Car And Driver
The MDX is beautifully crafted on the inside and the materials used feel simply premium. The dashboard and the center console is nicely laid out and you have natural wood and leather trim all around. Leather seats come as standard and so does the heating feature on the front seats. The front seats also can be power adjusted in 12 different ways.
2022 MDX's redesigned dashboard borrows cues from the 2021 ILX!
The amount of head, shoulder, and legroom is great on both the rows and even tall passengers shall comfortably accommodate themselves. The third row of seats is one of the better ones and offers room for small adults. With that said, there’s not much room for your cargo. The MDX offers just 15.0 cubic-feet of cargo volume behind the 3rd row of seats.
Models
Acura MDX
Cadillac XT5
Buick Enclave
Jaguar F-Pace
Seating Capacity
7
5
7
5
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
38.1/61.1/41.4
37.9/58.3/41.2
41.0/62.4/41.2
37.8/57.7/40.3
Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
38.8/59.1/38.6
36.6/56.3/39.0
39.9/61.7/38.9
37.5/55.8/37.2
Third Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
35.6/54.7/28.1
N/A
37.6/57.3/33.5
N/A
Trunk Capacity
15.0 cu-ft
30.2 cu-ft
23.6 cu-ft
33.5 cu-ft
In comparison, the large exterior dimensions of the Buick Enclave help it offer better space on the inside. The Enclave has the most spacious interior in the competition and also offers a decent trunk capacity of 23.6 cubic-feet in spite of having three rows of seats. The standard infotainment system offered with the current MDX makes do with an 8 speaker audio system.
Acura’s intuitive and driver-focused True Touchpad Interface, featuring an ultra-wide, 12.3-inch, full-HD center display
It is combined with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display. Features like Siri Eyes Free, Apple Carplay, Android Auto, Pandora compatibility, and a CD player all come as standard. Acura offers a premium ELS audio system as an option and we totally recommend you to get that as it takes the in-car audio experience to the very next level. Various infotainment features on offer in the 2021 Acura MDX are:
Voice Recognition
Siri w/Bluetooth Hands-free
USB Charging Ports and Media Connectivity Ports
SiriusXM/HD Radio w/Bluetooth and AUX Connectivity
"And we assume the MDX Type S will be suitably more agressive in appearance-following the TLX Type S's lead with A-Spec darker head- and taillights, in combination with exclusive Type S bits like multiple exhaust outlets, matte black accents, and perhaps some more aggressive elements in the front and rear fascias." - MotorTrend
The MDX is a handsome-looking brute. It has the giant signature Acura chrome-clad diamond pentagon grille at the front and is accompanied by those Jewel LED headlights. The front facia has enough drama to attract attention and turn heads as it drives past.
2021 Acura MDX SUV comes from a line of performance vehicles
Dimensions of the 2021 Acura MDX are proportionately laid out. That gives it a big, boxy, and rugged SUV stance. Further, the car gets a ground clearance of 7.3 inches which is good enough to take for some light weekend off-roading. Now, from the spy shots of the 2022 MDX, it could be made out that the new model will look a lot similar to the 2021 TLX.
Models
Acura MDX
Cadillac XT5
Buick Enclave
Jaguar F-Pace
Curb Weight
4,264 lbs
N/A
4,568 lbs
3,870 lbs
Length
196.2"
189.6"
204.3"
186.0"
Width
77.7"
74.9"
78.8"
81.5"
Height
67.4"
66.1"
69.9"
65.0"
Ground Clearance
7.3"
7.8"
7.7"
8.4"
Wheelbase
111.0"
112.5"
120.9"
113.1"
The Buick Enclave is the longest and tallest SUV in the competition. The F-Pace, on the other hand, gets the highest ground clearance in the competition, which makes it most suitable for off-roading. The MDX has the lowest ground clearance in the competition, and there are chances that you may scrape the floor if you happen to take it off-roading. Notable Exterior features of the Acura MDX are:
LED Headlights w/Auto On/Off Function
20" Redesigned Alloy Wheels
Powered Moonroof
Remote Linked Power Operated Tail Gate
Rain-sensing Windshield Wipers
LED Puddle Lights and Fog Lights
Auto-Dimming, Heated and Powered ORVMs w/Integrated LED Turn Signals
Acura equips the MDX with plenty of safety features as standard. The MDX gets full 5 stars and a ‘Good’ overall rating in almost all the crash tests conducted by the NHTSA and the IIHS respectively, and that speaks a lot about the safety quotient of the car.
2021 MDX's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) Body Structure enhances safety!
The XT5 is the American rival of the MDX. This Cadillac can only accommodate 5 passengers, while the MDX can haul 7. But on the other hand, the Cadillac XT5 offers a better cargo area and more passenger space.
2021 Cadillac XT5
The XT5’s V6 puts out slightly more power but in the real world, the MDX feels more athletic. The MDX is also cheaper by almost about $6000. Clearly, the Acura makes sense over the Cadillac, and with the kind of features that it has got on board, the MDX is the winner of this competition.
2021 Acura MDX vs Buick Enclave
The Buick Enclave shares platform with Cadillac and has the same powertrain. However, the 2021 MDX offers the better snob value credit to the Acura badge as opposed to Buick. The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, offers more passenger room and trunk volume, and at the same time is cheaper than the MDX.
2021 Buick Enclave
If you want a functional SUV and don’t really care about luxury, then the Buick makes more sense than the Acura. But otherwise, for a few extra dollars, the MDX offers more features and a lot more value in all considerable aspects in comparison to the Enclave.
2021 Acura MDX vs Jaguar F-Pace
The Jaguar F-Pace grabs more attention than the Acura, hands down. It looks like a sports car transformed into an SUV and offers some of the best driving dynamics in the segment. But the Jag F-Pace can accommodate only 5 passengers and is down on power when compared to the 2021 Acura MDX.
2021 Jaguar F-Pace
On the flip side, the 2021 F-Pace has better fuel economy figures. The comparison here is a little bit tight but the Acura gets a slight upper hand since it can accommodate 7 passengers and offers a larger number of tech features onboard at a significantly lower price.
2021 Acura MDX Final Verdict
7.3/10
The Acura MDX performs really well on almost all the fronts and there’s nothing one can complain about. It hauls 7 passengers, has a powerful engine, is luxurious, and has got tonnes of features and options on offer.
The Acura lineup for 2021 has a lot to look forward to
The 2021 Acura MDX offers much more than what you would expect from a car in this segment and indeed is a great proposition. If you happen to be in the market hunting for a midsize, luxury family SUV, then you should highly consider buying the MDX as it offers very good value for your money.
Reliability is never a reason to worry about the Acura MDX due to its deep-rooted Honda connection. The J.D. Power Report has rated the hybrid model a commendable 76 out of 100 and as the standard model is no different it will share the same score. Acura has also compiled a wholesome warranty package for the 2021 MDX that includes:
Basic Warranty of 4 years/50,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty of 6 years/70,000 miles
Free Roadside Assistance for 4 years/50,000 miles
Which cars does Acura MDX compete against?
Acura MDX is a midsize luxury SUV that competes against the likes of Audi Q7, BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class and Lexus RX350.
Is Acura MDX AWD or FWD?
Acura MDX is available in both FWD and AWD configurations. The 3.5L naturally aspirated V6 motor is available with both FWD and AWD options but the 3.0L Hybrid V6 comes only in AWD.
How much will it cost to lease an Acura MDX?
Acura MDX can be leased from your nearest dealership for a minimum amount of $409 with $2,999 to be paid upfront. This is the lease value for the base MDX and will cost you $419 per month for the SH-AWD trims.
Does Acura MDX come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Yes, all the trims of the 2021 Acura MDX come equipped with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Pros - Enhanced digital screen, trunk space, comfortable seats
Cons - Nothing
Overall Review
9 /10 Overall Rating
One of the most comfortable car available in the market. it provides ride quality like no other, with a superb suspension and comfortable seats. the cabin is so quiet it doesnt let any engine or road noise penetrate insde.
9/10
Features
9/10
Interior
8/10
Design
9/10
Safety
9/10
Reliability
8/10
Deal Value
9/10
Dealer Review
DB
David N. Bruton
2020 Acura MDX SUV
4dr SUV w/Advance Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
7
User Overall Rating
Posted On: October 7, 2020
So much fun on the drive!!
Pros - Smartphone connectivity, comfortable and spacious interior.
Cons - Transmission Still Has Room for Improvement
Overall Review
7 /10 Overall Rating
Took the 2020 Acura MDX up north for some end of winter season fun and driving was a breeze. The powerful 3.6l V6 engine is a charm to drive on high revs and has enough low end torque to get this big suv going. This is the Front wheel drive version but you barely notices the need of Rear wheel or all wheel drive system. I dont take it to any off road conditions so no need of AWD system.
8/10
Features
8/10
Interior
7/10
Design
10/10
Safety
7/10
Reliability
8/10
Deal Value
10/10
Dealer Review
PM
Peter J. McLaren
2020 Acura MDX SUV
SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Advance Package (3.5L 6cyl 9A)
7
User Overall Rating
Posted On: October 7, 2020
Best looking performance SUV.
Pros - Handling, driver seat adjusted to multi-level, pricing
Cons - Confusion two infotainment screens.
Overall Review
7 /10 Overall Rating
It drives smoothly and turns well. It? comfortable and sometimes I feel like I? gliding on the road instead of driving. The handling is also very good on curves and highways.
One of the most comfortable car available in the market. it provides ride quality like no other, with a superb suspension and comfortable seats. the cabin is so quiet it doesnt let any engine or road noise penetrate insde.
by Dennis V. Williams
7
User Overall Rating
So much fun on the drive!!
Took the 2020 Acura MDX up north for some end of winter season fun and driving was a breeze. The powerful 3.6l V6 engine is a charm to drive on high revs and has enough low end torque to get this big suv going. This is the Front wheel drive version but you barely notices the need of Rear wheel or all wheel drive system. I dont take it to any off road conditions so no need of AWD system.
by David N. Bruton
7
User Overall Rating
Best looking performance SUV.
It drives smoothly and turns well. It? comfortable and sometimes I feel like I? gliding on the road instead of driving. The handling is also very good on curves and highways.
by Peter J. McLaren
7
User Overall Rating
MDX is the best car for the snow, hands down.
Driving department and comfort is always taken care by Acura and same goes on for the MDX. The MPG figures are on the lower side all thanks to the beafy V6 engine. you will enjoy this car on the long drives with your group of friends, it is comfortable as well as equipped with a lot of gimmicks to keep everyone entertained on the go.
by Albert F. Poland
9
User Overall Rating
Premium SUV.
With the A spec package which adds 20 inch wheels and tyre combo, the driving and handling improves a lot when compared to the 18 inch wheel option vehicle. The super handling AWD is a charm to drive with.
