Overview & Reviews

The Acura MDX is a midsize luxury SUV with a carlike unibody platform and three rows of seats. The original MDX bowed in 2001, at a time when most competitors still featured body-on-frame construction and the term "crossover" was but a glimmer in some marketer's eye. Since then, Acura has maintained the MDX's family-friendly packaging, including standard seven-passenger seating, while spicing up the recipe with various styling, performance and handling enhancements. In typical Acura fashion, every MDX comes well equipped, with options generally limited to a few choice features bundled into packages.

New or used, the Acura MDX stands out for its comfort, versatility and refinement. It's one of our top recommendations for a family-oriented luxury crossover SUV. In reviews, we've found the MDX to be a polished performer, as it remains one of the more engaging luxury crossovers to drive and also provides a commendably supple ride. Weak points include cramped third-row accommodations for adults and less sumptuous interior appointments than in some rivals, though the MDX's strong resale value offers ample compensation.

User Reviews:

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  Happy with MDX , But Not Mileage - 2005 Acura MDX
  By barry - September 2 - 11:06 am

  Overall I am quite happy with my MDX. More fun to drive than my other car, Audi A8. Incredibly roomy inside, especially the cargo area for an SUV that is not that big on the outide. Stereo sounds great. Have not had any big problem with the brakes, except a little slow/sloppy when fully loaded with 5 people and a load of cargo. Big disappointment is gas mileage. One of the reasons I bought the MDX is because I wanted better gas mileage than my previous guzzling LX470 - but mileage is way below advertised, and not much better than the much bigger and heavier V8 powered LX470. Nav system also disappointing. Interior quality also a bit chintzy for an expensive car.

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  Outstanding SUV ! - 2008 Acura MDX
  By Tchello - September 2 - 8:36 am

  After thorough research that included major brands (BMW, MB, Volvo & Audi) the MDX came on top. The standard model comes with leather, moonroof and 3rd row seat. Got the Sport package with technology and its a bargain compared with the other, more fancy, brands. At least $10K less for a very similar, and in many cases, superior product. If you dont need the status of a BMW or Mercedes, this is the way to go. I traded my Audi A4, and Im very happy I did so. Overall, very solid and handles great. Smooth.

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  disappointed - 2003 Acura MDX
  By stacey - September 1 - 3:33 am

  We purchased this car based on reviews of reliability and safety. Additionally, the third row seat was enticing. We have had several problems, the most serious being the brakes freezing up while driving due to a faulty sensor in the steering wheel telling the car that it was flipping and needing to stabilize! And we were 600 miles from home. Very scary and put my family at risk. The back seat is only suitable for children. The car is noisy at high speeds. And we get much lower gas mileage than Acura claims.

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  First 30 days... - 2003 Acura MDX
  By Franziska - August 31 - 2:00 am

  I have drivent the acura mdx for over 30 days now and find it to provide me with a safety feeling... I am discouraged with the gas mileage I have only averaged 16 in the city and 20 on highway.

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  MDXOVERXC90 - 2003 Acura MDX
  By MDXOVERXC90 - August 31 - 2:00 am

  The best SUV on the market for its class and lots of values for your $$$$$ The car perform superb both on and off road include in rain and snow condition. All in a 10++++++++++ Keep up the good work ACURA.

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  Good Investment - 2005 Acura MDX
  By flajcat - August 30 - 4:25 pm

  My wife has a 2002 MDX and because of the performance, quality, craftsmanship, I decided to buy a 2005 MDX. Way above average resale value. No problems in 3 years, excellent quality. The back up camera adds to safety. There are 8 airbags, high quality interior. Very good engine performance. Luxurious inside. Navigation system is a 10. Mediocre gas mileage. I am getting about 18 combined highway and city.

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  Great car! - 2017 Acura MDX
  By Justin - August 29 - 10:48 pm

  I cross shopped multiple vehicles prior to purchasing this SUV. My wife and I sat in and drove many SUVs. We felt like this SUV offered a lot more than the others for the price. The biggest/best surprise is the SH-AWD (google torque vectoring if you havent already) which makes the car a lot of fun to drive and adds a spare tire. The ELS sound system is great. The safety features should be standard on all vehicles -- the technology package adds the blind spot detection which is awesome. I was worried that the transmission would at least take some getting used to given the complaints but its great actually. Their are plenty of YouTube videos explaining why it feels a little funny between 2 gears but I have honestly not had a problem in any IDS mode (sport, comfort, normal). The complaints dont seem to be primarily regarding reliability. I was also worried I wouldnt like the shifter after so many complaints. It is actually very easy to use and keeps me from ever having to look down. It has the added benefit of protecting you from changing gears when you shouldnt (i.e. P while driving, D while shutting off the engine, etc...) which ultimately saves wear on your transmission. Good warranty compared to the other SUVs (7 years on the drive train). The infotainment system is just ok even with the tech package but has all of the functionality I need. I wish that it had a panoramic sunroof. If you compare to other vehicles in the class, for example the Lexus RX, Audi Q7, Volvo XC90 etc.. or even the Pilot, Pathfinder, Highlander, and Forester, I thought the Acura was ultimately the best bang for your buck.

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  for moms who refuse to do the minivan - 2005 Acura MDX
  By carol - August 27 - 10:07 am

  This car is feels custom made for our family of 5 plus 2 large dogs. The seating options work out perfectly for us. I love having 2 "extra" kid seats in row 3 for the kids friends or for when my own lovely children need to be separated. And the front seat airbag sensor means I feel more confident when my older children sit up front. In truth, we should have a minivan -- that is the ultimate in convenience for a motley crew like us. BUT my final rationalization for the MDX was that when it was time for my oldest to start driving that this would become her car. Im sure shell be much happier inheriting the MDX than a minivan!!!

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  I like it. - 2005 Acura MDX
  By baradlee - August 20 - 2:44 pm

  Nothing really to complain about except..GAS MILEAGE. In Southern California, in stop and go driving, 13.8 mpg. On the highway to Wyoming I did get 24 mpg. The V-6 has to move a lot of mass and I guess the gas mileage suffers.

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  Nice Truck - 2005 Acura MDX
  By Acura Driver - August 18 - 11:10 pm

  I test drove many many SUVs and none could compare to the price and features of the MDX. Thats the reason I also drive a 2004 TL. Unfortunately, the MDX is not nearly as nice as the TL. The nav screen is smaller, no dual climate control, the buttons on the wheel donÂ’t light up, no power up and down feature for driver and passenger windows, and the stereo is anemic in comparison. This is just nit picking, but the MDX should have the same or better features especially since it is $10K more than the TL. Despite these very minor issues this is a great SUV. Space and workmanship are top notch.