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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  overall an excellent car - 2002 Acura MDX
  By Anna and Peter - October 16 - 10:00 am

  My 2 year old loves being in the car; its just so smooth and comfortable.

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2005 Acura MDX
  By Chicago Rich - October 14 - 12:23 pm

  This vehicle is outstanding. Everyday I drive it, I find new conveniences. Ive owned several SUVs including the BMW, Lexus LX470, and Dodge Durango. This one takes the cake. It is larger on the inside that it looks, and the car is smooth with no problems. I am frugal in my praise, which has led two friends to also purchase the vehicle. Great for families and excellent in the Chicago snow.

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  Great SUV - 2004 Acura MDX
  By Apple - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, plenty of pep, real eye turner, Voice command somewhat bla, do better not using it, nav map somewaht time dated. 2nd one Ive owned & will probally do it again!

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  get one - 2004 Acura MDX
  By dirthead - October 12 - 2:00 am

  nice looking inside and out. terrible on fuel economy is worse than 8 cyl. jeep...engine looks really cool....a little sluggish from0- 50 ,,,,,off road isnt too good, could have more clearance hits bottom sometimes...very comfortable ride and plenty of room,,and plenty of cup holders. Dont misplace your radio code,,if you lose it and battery dies ,,youll hve no music

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  Mildly disappointed, horrible mileage - 2004 Acura MDX
  By Edkristin - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I had expected a positive experience in the switch from my Volvo V70 to the MDX. The MDX still had its share of initial defects, from a poorly fitting & hard to close rear hatch to missing hardware on the front center consol box. The mileage is atrocious. Im getting 11.9 all-around mileage against an advertised 18-22. It must be a larger issue, because someone stopped my wife in a parking lot the other day to ask how bad her mileage was (he had the same problem). In retrospect, Id take the Volvo Cross-Country over the MDX any day, if only my 3 kids under 6 and their friends fit in one!

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  2004 Acura MDX - 2004 Acura MDX
  By iquilt6 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Best SUV I test-drove. Competition was the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander and the MDX beat them both hands down. It has a smooth, comfortable ride, very car-like due to the chassis. I wanted a third-row because I sometimes haul grandchildren, and I wanted that third- row to be comfortable. The Highlanders third row seat seemed like an afterthought, and not a very good one at that. The Pilot would have been a good choice, but Honda would not put a tan interior in a white exterior -- VERY shortsighted in my opinion. I am thrilled with the MDX -- it just keeps getting better.

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  Great hype but no substance - 2016 Acura MDX
  By Ram - October 7 - 6:07 am

  The folks at dealership are great in service and sales but they cannot solve the issues which are congenital to Acura important one being Jerky transmission , the movement is jerky at low speeds, during accelration and marked in low gear (S). The climate control fans make loud noise . A software update made it worse. Even the seat memory fails !! Bluetooth cannot recognize my wifes Iphoe 6+!!!. Audio is good.

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  Best SUV on market - 2003 Acura MDX
  By Joe Isuzu - September 28 - 2:00 am

  Great ride, great car

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  A unhappy new owner!!! - 2016 Acura MDX
  By Dustin - September 26 - 9:22 pm

  The 9 speed transmission is terrible. Worst I have ever had. I will check out the Lemon Law in our state.

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  AVery Nice SUV - 2003 Acura MDX
  By Illini Bird - September 22 - 2:00 am

  MDX is very roomy and the Navigation system is awesome! I also like the rear- view camera. I have never seen the VSC engage but am glad the car has it. On the down side, mileage is poor! My MDX does not get near what the ratings say (I get only about 12 or 13 mpg). The Lexus had a feature where when one held down the open door button on the remote control, all windows and the moon roof opened which was really nice when getting into the car in the summer. The MDX does not have this feature. Also, ALL windows in the Lexus were auto up and down - not just the drivers window. The automatic wipers do not work well with snow; they work OK with rain.