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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  Acura MDX Best of the Class - 2004 Acura MDX
  By Mike Schurr - August 7 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this car for my wife who had two Toyota Land Cruisers back to back for the past six years. To say the least she loves the MDX as do I. I may not be as big as a Land Cruiser but the build quality, performance and ride are exceptional. The engine is pure Honda, it is barely audible when running but when you put your foot in it the power is fantastic for an SUV. By knowing the dealer cost via Edmunds, visiting one dealer and getting a price via the net we bought the MDX for dealer invoice. Yes it can be done! A great car at a great price, what more could one ask for.

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  Good family vehicle - 2004 Acura MDX
  By JSR - August 3 - 2:00 am

  Overall, we have had a positive experience with the vehicle. My daughter really enjoys the entertainment system and the third seat. However, one of the front headlights lost its seal, and we expected better initial quality.

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  Gettin another one as soon as I can - 2002 Acura MDX
  By Pdeaun - August 2 - 2:00 am

  This is a great SUV! Its stylishness turns heads. Its roomy, I have filled this truck with 2 32 inch TVs (in their boxes) and still had room for the rest of the Christmas shopping bags. The MDX is a real workhorse. It has good pick-up and is not bad on gas (which is getting harder and harder to judge) As soon as I am ready, I will fly back to the dealer for a newer model

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  TRANSMISSION FLAW - 2003 Acura MDX
  By HYMAXX - August 1 - 2:00 am

  After 9 months of fun hell broke loose with only 7,000 miles. The transmission makes an unusual loud slamming noise when I shift to reverse or drive. The dealer can not and did not fix the transmission problem. MDX is an affordable luxury SUV but the interior is made of cheap materials. After all the headache that my wife and I went through with ACURA I replaced the MDX with a BMW X5, I should have bought the X5 in the first place.

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  clems review - 2004 Acura MDX
  By BigClem - August 1 - 2:00 am

  Drives well...ammenities kina cheap feeling

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  Great Car! - 2003 Acura MDX
  By cheapflyfishingsob - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Looked at the Landcruiser, GX470 and Sequoia. I liked the GX because it was very luxurious and more of an SUV/off- road feel, but it really had nothing on the MDX. This drivetrain is awesome - Really quiet and effortless. I love all the features and the practicality. The only thing the $50K cars have on this are wooden steering wheels and air shocks.

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  2003 Acura MDX - 2003 Acura MDX
  By jyork - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Had a Toyota Sequoia. Too big and ride too much like truck. This vehicle rides almost as good as my Lexus LS400. With 260 HP it has more power than V8 in Toyota and gave 23.77 MPG on trip from Atlanta to SW FL. Rides and handles like a luxury vehicle. Would not rec. for off road use except light duty.

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  A Vehicle Worth Owning! - 2004 Acura MDX
  By jade6207 - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I researched vehicles on Edmunds for 3 months before finally choosing the MDX. I was definitely not disappointed! It is fun to drive and very comfortable!

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  Try something else - 2004 Acura MDX
  By rowemowe - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Dont make the same mistake I did. Research this vehicle before you buy. Do a search on Google or Yahoo for "MDX Noise" and youll see that there is a cronic problem with brake and gas tank noise that is called "normal" by the manufacturer. When you test drive the vehicle, make sure you keep the radio off and have a nearly full tank of gas. Let the car idle forward and hit the brake. If you can live with the sounds of gas sloshing around and the back brake thud, then you wont mind spending 35K - 40K. Also, take a look at all of the Technical Service Bulletins issued by Acura on this vehicle. You can find them at the NHTSA website.

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  GREAT SUV FOR THE PRICE - 2004 Acura MDX
  By MICHELEB - July 31 - 2:00 am

  WE ARE DELIGHTED WITH OUR MDX,THE TOURING PKG OFFERS A LOT COMPARED TO OTHER SUVS WHICH CHARGE EXTRA FOR EVERYTHING! THE BACK WINDOW SHOULD OPEN TO OFFER GREATER FUNCTION AND THE BACK WINDOWS HAVING THE ABILITY TO "VENT OPEN" WOULD BE A NICE ADDED FEATURE. THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE UPDATED AS TO CURRENT LOCATIONS, IT DOES NOT ALWAYS LIST ACCURATE "PLACES" TO GO. WE LOVE THE HEADSETS FOR THE BACK PASSENGERS, BUT AT $100 A HEADSET, IT ADDS UP TO EQUIP ALL OF THE RUGRATS WITH ONE. SMOOTH RIDE ON ALL ROADS, WE TRAVEL ALOT AND LOVE THE QUIET ENGINE. OVERALL WE ARE VERY IMPRESSED. GREAT SUV AND WE HAVE OWNED AT LEAST 12!