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:

• 

  Not so happy owner - 2003 Acura MDX
  By sad Customer - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Middle Row seat is very uncomfortable. Wire mesh dog barrier and the plastic housing keeps popping out. Took 10-15 minutes of trying to start on two occasions. On the first few feet of driving either forward or backward makes a klunking noise.The acceleration has a lag.Revs up to 4K in first and second gear.The simulated wood interior is just fake looking.This is my 4th Acura. I have a 99 TL as well and with the TL and the MDX it seems Acura is trying to please everyone but has dropped its quality and standard. ACURA should throw in less features and worry more about their reptation as a seamless car manufacturer. As for me I think this is my last Acura.

• 

  Superb entry lux SUV - 2003 Acura MDX
  By dk - February 24 - 10:00 am

  If youre interested in a 7-seater lux SUV, the MDX is for you. The exterior design is conservative but appealing. The leather seats are very good, but other interior materials could be improved. The V6 has lively performance, but at the expense of poor gas mileage in low gear (Id love a hybrid of this vehicle!). The 3rd row seats sold us, together with very well balanced safety features inside and out--such as the VTM-4 and VSA.

• 

  The Money Trap - 2016 Acura MDX
  By Karen - February 23 - 1:28 am

  I looked for a new car for months and decided on this nice MDX, only to be left on the side of the road when the transmission broke. We waited 3 hours for a tow truck to come. My 2016 MDX had just 3800 miles on it. I asked for a new transmission, but they said all it needed was a gasket. I ghad a BMW which I loved, but it had 190,000 miles on it and I wanted dependable transportation for traveling now this is what I am stuck with. I will say the people at the Acura dealer were very nice, but I did not get great end results. When you spend that kind of money and this happens they should make it right.

• 

  Acura MDX - 2001 Acura MDX
  By Deb - February 15 - 12:54 pm

  The Acura is the best SUV Ive ever owned (Ive had 3 different ones). It is very spacious and handles extremely well. I owned an Acura Legend several years ago and these are the best two cars Ive ever owned.

• 

  Acura MDX - Best Choice for under $45K - 2004 Acura MDX
  By Monish - February 8 - 10:00 am

  I test drove the BMW X5, Volvo, RX 330 and Infiniti Fx 45. For the price, safety features and options that I wanted (esp. 3rd seat option), the Acura MDX 2004 was the Only choice. The Acura offers the best performance, comfort & convenience for the value and total cost of ownership in mind.

• 

  exhilarating - 2008 Acura MDX
  By jb - February 5 - 4:20 pm

  fun to drive! great looks! high tech features! ample horsepower compared to its direct competitors with the same engine displacement! better fuel consumption for its horsepower!

• 

  Crash tested with flying colors - 2004 Acura MDX
  By dscott - February 3 - 3:33 am

  I love my MDX - it makes me feel really safe when I drive it. Id had it 3 months with 4K miles when another driver crossed the median and hit me head on (he was uninsured, but thats another story). All the airbags deployed - front, side curtain, passenger. Other than a slightly burned hand from the deploying airbags, and the accompanying muscle aches and pains, I walked away in one piece. All the safety features, including the airbags, did their thing, absorbing the impact. My next vehicle will definitely be another MDX.

• 

  Fun Car - 2002 Acura MDX
  By Gerald - January 28 - 5:45 am

  Just bought pre-owned. Very pleased with ride and Engine response. Very comfortable and love the 3rd row seat. Navagation very easy to read. Gas mileage is good for a suv. Overall no complaints.

• 

  Acura MDX - 2005 Acura MDX
  By Jack Wall - January 27 - 6:13 pm

  Shop and compare you wont beat this SUV when it comes to style, quality, reliability, and value. Ive test driven nearly all the mid size luxury SUVs and you cant beat this car. The ride is solid on wet and dry pavement, on back roads or cruising at 80 mph down the freeway. Going skiing driving on ice and snow there is no slips going up or down. There is room for all the gear and four people in the car! Who needs a rack. Going golfing same thing.

• 

  Excellent! - 2003 Acura MDX
  By jmc - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the MDX for over a year and I am still impressed by the performance and styling. The MDX gives better gas mileage the more I drive it. A telescoping steering would have been nice to have. I recommend it to anyone looking for an utility vehicle under 40K it beats all the competition hands down. Cant wait to see what Acura will put out next.