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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  Very Satisfied - 2005 Acura MDX
  By KeithK - August 18 - 10:26 am

  My MDX has been fantastic so far - a great family car. Ive averaged 20 mpg (on mostly highway driving), which is a bit higher than I expected. Acceleration is quite good, and the car is really comfortable. Good cupholders, radio reception (things that are more important than you think).

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  Trade up to 2005 MDX - 2005 Acura MDX
  By John - August 17 - 8:31 pm

  4,000 miles of experience and still enjoy driving my MDX. Features and comfort are better than expected, gas mileage a little worse (18 MPG). The on board computer shows about 22 MPG best case on the freeway. The RES causes some rear visibility issues, but workable. The ride is much better than my prior SUV (V8 Explorer) and power about the same. As claimed, the MDX drives a lot smaller than it is, and feels very stable at all speeds. The MDX is a perfectly balanced SUV that does just about everything well, albeit not best in class.

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  Acura MDX - 2005 Acura MDX
  By Acura MDX - August 17 - 1:34 pm

  I have had my MDX for 2 months. So far I love driving the car. Its comfortable and reliable. I just wish the gas milage was better. One thing that came standard with all my previous vehicles is automatic door locks when the car is being driven, which is not available on the MDX. I also would like to see keyless entry and a more sensitive automatic headlight mechanism.

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  An "Accurate" Description - 2005 Acura MDX
  By Jim Lipsky - August 17 - 12:23 pm

  Im very pleased with my Acura MDX. I traded up from a V6 Accord Navi and havent looked back or regretted a thing, short of filling the gas tank daily (Im a Realtor, and put lots of miles on the car). My invalid father gets in and out easily and clients like the roominess and Navi system. Nice job Honda!

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  Nothing Else will Do - 2005 Acura MDX
  By Jackie Morehead - August 16 - 9:11 am

  My new MDX is the best, it drives so well, turns so well, rides like a dream. I let a friend drive it and they were so impressed. I love my On Star and Navigation they are so good and the blue tooth phone as well as the other phone. I cannot say enough about how wonderful my new Acura MDX is.

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  A great minivan alternative - 2005 Acura MDX
  By Hangdog - August 15 - 1:14 pm

  I love the seating for 7. Driving the MDX feels like driving a car, no heavy truck feel. I think Ill stay with this one for a while!

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  You Gotta Get One - 2005 Acura MDX
  By Wendy - August 10 - 8:20 am

  You must buy the Acura MDX. I really enjoy mine. I researched it for about two months before I purchased it. This was the best SUV purchased Ive ever made. I have all the toys, which is standard. You will not go wrong with this purchase. I also have the Bose system and it sound GREAT! Especially with my iPod. Smooth and quiet ride.

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  Wonderful SUV. - 2005 Acura MDX
  By June - August 8 - 4:27 pm

  This is the best car we have ever owned (touring & Navi.)! MDX improved a lot from 2001 to 2005 model and I am glad that we waited this long. Although redesign is expected in late 2006, current model has been polished so much. MDX is the best combination of utility, reliability, and comfort compare to other upscale SUVs, I believe. We will be keeping our MDX for a long time.

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  Much better than ML320 - 2002 Acura MDX
  By maxmax54 - August 7 - 10:00 am

  I had a Mercedes ML 320, this car is so far superior to that truck I cannot begin to think of the ways. The many visits to the snotty Mercedes dealer are a thing of the past (thank god!). My MDX is three months old, I had already been back to the Mercedes dealer three times with the ML 320. More room, better interior, quieter AC, no wind noise, no pieces falling off, no comparison!

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  Sure beats my ML430! - 2002 Acura MDX
  By MarkinOlneyMD - August 7 - 10:00 am

  An amazing vehicle and purchase process. Very professional and well treated by dealership (unlike my former Mercedes dealer -- traded in a 2001 ML 430, which was a piece of junk). My wife learned all of the controls in no time - very logical and well laid out. The most versatile vehicles were ever owned in terms of flexibility. The salesperson noticed a rip in the leather passenger seat during the delivery process (probably from the mechanic who prepd the vehicle). Immediately ordered a new seat cover, which was no problem.