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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  Great space - 2003 Acura MDX
  By phild_mason - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I decided to eat my words and buy an SUV. The kids are getting bigger and the space will be handy. Typical Acura, simple and functional. Performance is good. Cruising is smooth and quiet for an SUV

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  Gerry 1 - 2004 Acura MDX
  By brnpoodle - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I drove the MDX to Loas Angeles a week after purchase. Mileage was 24 mpg, over rated amount. Performance was much better than my previous SUV. Actually recieved higher mileage than any tank in prior SUV and longer range than prior vehicle.

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  whoopee - 2004 Acura MDX
  By bob gillette - October 1 - 2:00 am

  have two mdxs, best road vehicle ever, also have honda s2000. thank you honda

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  Great Car and truck - 2004 Acura MDX
  By reineerbrad - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Very car-like ride. This SUV is a fun to drive alternative for us fathers that need to drive a mini-van but dont want to be seen in one then you have AWD to boot! Once inside you forget you are driving a large vehicle and you feel like you can disolve the road ahead with its handling and comfort. Great curves, handling, room, with a shape to match. Even has pleanty of room for our large dog.

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  Fun/ Comfy SUV - 2002 Acura MDX
  By jag69 - September 29 - 10:00 am

  Weve taken several long (1600 mile) trips in the MDX, and it is comfortable and flexible for us (2 Adults, 3 Children). Quiet, nice CD player, and easy to maneuver, makes it a nice machine to operate. The key fob actuated seat and mirror positioning memory is also very nice as my wife and I change off driving. We were left with a defective battery on one of our extended trips. The much touted "Acura Customer Care" was fairly useless in getting us into a mechanic for a replacement. And it was a warranty item, as the cell had a defect. That was frustrating. Otherwise, after 27000 miles, no other issues.

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  Good looking workhorse - 2004 Acura MDX
  By flm - September 28 - 2:00 am

  Solid, ruggedly attractive, inspires confidence.

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  Acura MDX Rules the Road - 2004 Acura MDX
  By simsix - September 25 - 2:00 am

  An absolute gem! A pleasure in every sense of the word. Dependable, very comfortable, fantastic in every way. We had a 32 inch blizzard..... it performed flawlessly. Never got stuck and I was out for hours just playing in the drifts and unplowed parking lots and roads. I have owned 3 full size American 4 wheel drives (Dodge Ramchargers, just like Chevy Blazer or Ford Bronco). This performed just about as well.

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  Stable, reliable, multi-functional - 2004 Acura MDX
  By twriter - September 25 - 2:00 am

  Test drove other SUVs and understood why so many tip over. Probably because its on the Honda Odessy frame (lower, wider track), The MDX feels solid and corners without the sense that you are going to tip over. Excellent 0-60 acceleration - but you will stop showing off when you have to put gas in it. So-so mileage around town - excellent highway mileage. Very good visibility. Good multi-function usability - whether going to the theater, taking the dogs to the vet, or loading up at Home Depot - it is flexible. I was worried because I was going up from an Integra - with lots of handling and performance - but I have not been disappointed.

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  6,800 miles, new transmission required?! - 2016 Acura MDX
  By frustrated - September 19 - 11:22 am

  The transmission on this car is just crap. I bought it brand new and didnt notice shifting problems on the test drive. I obviously should have test driven the same vehicle multiple times before purchasing it because after about three days I noticed the occasional awkward shifting. I just told myself its a brand new car and needs to adjust on its own. I feel like it did get better after a few months - or I just got used to the awkwardness. Sport mode was not even an option as it was super jerky and completely annoying. At 6,800 miles it suddenly started making a high-pitched chirping noise when shifting into second gear, almost like the sound of tires screeching when peeling out. I immediately drove it to the dealership and the technician confirmed the issue. The next day they called and said the transmission needed to be replaced. What!? Ive owned several Hondas over the years and never had major issues. I thought I could trust Acura for their reliability record, but apparently not. The 2016 Touring/Elite models of the Pilot have the same crappy transmission and complaints are well documented. I hope Honda/Acura will take some responsibility for the defect and offer a recall. If not, I will be pursuing a lemon law buy back.

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  As good as it gets - 2004 Acura MDX
  By Laura Mae - September 19 - 2:00 am

  I have put 1200 miles on this car, including a 550 mile trip. Highway mileage was 23, in town about 16-17. Solid, good ride, excellent nav system. Seat bottom is firmer than I like but not bad. The ride and handling are very good. The engine is very strong and quiet. Rear camera is great when backing up. Sufficient storage for odds and ends. Dash lights are very nice but interior could be a bit more luxurious for the money. Dont need running boards to get in/out easily. This is my first SUV. I was seriously considering a Lincoln Aviator because of the huge discounts but decided on the Acura because of the better mileage excellent quality and resale value.