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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  Love it, but a little disappointed - 2004 Acura MDX
  By Quiet Please - April 19 - 10:00 am

  My 2004 is great! The ride, luxury, and roominess are better than any other I tried. However, unexpectedly it is the noisiest quiet vehicle. It is 7 months and it has the following noises: front caliper pop, rear breaks make a clunk noise when I change direction, they also make a loud rubbing noise during the first 10 min. of operation every day (all of this according to the dealer is normal). The NAV system controls on the steering wheel donÂ’t work 20% of the time. All this is not to say that I donÂ’t like my MDX. I do like it very much. ItÂ’s just not perfect, which for the money I would have expected it to come a little closer.

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  MDX 2003 - 2003 Acura MDX
  By habkarkfl - April 10 - 2:00 am

  great and pleasent SUV ride.Great accelaration.

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  Transmission Failed at 5,000 miles - 2016 Acura MDX
  By Diana S - March 8 - 1:18 pm

  Do NOT buy this car. We replaced our 2013 MDX with the 2016 and wish we had the old one back. This car is a dud. Do not buy it. We were driving on the expressway going 65 mph and the transmission catastrophically failed. So glad we had just went through a 1 lane stretch on 75 undergoing construction and were able to pull over to the side of the road. Dealership was awesome, but this car is terrible.

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  Not a Good Car ! - 2002 Acura MDX
  By Tom Backman - March 5 - 10:00 am

  So many Transmission Problem !! Noise all over the place.. Paint Quality.

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  update 2002 - 2002 Acura MDX
  By jcy - March 5 - 10:00 am

  much improved in noise reduction(I can tell the difference since I had owned a 2001 MDX before I traded it in for 2002 model) well, still not perfect, wish it may enlarge the trunk space particularly after 3rd row seat up.

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  Feeling Great After 9 Months - 2002 Acura MDX
  By RedMdxMemphis - March 5 - 10:00 am

  I love the MDX after 9 months. Hondas magic 3rd row seat is still the best. For daily routine, the ride is just smooth as silk. The computerized 4 wheel drive control is wonderful. Glad to be in this car when it is water all over the place. Hondas quality and drive. we just love it.. for that full price, we could not get a BMW with 7 seats (which they still dont have) and navigation, or Mercedez with the comfort of driving and convenience of 3rd row seat. MDX accelerates nicely with 24HP. I hardly use the gear shift beyond 4th and 5th. I got used to the size and huge inside space. It is a great ride with useful features for home.

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  Great SUV - 2003 Acura MDX
  By Lou123 - February 26 - 2:00 am

  I test drove 9 different SUVs and this was by far the best one out there. It is perfect for me because I dont do allot of 4 wheel driving and I just need something to haul stuff and drive well in the snow. This SUV is smoother, faster and quieter than my Acura TL!

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  Worth the wait! - 2002 Acura MDX
  By Burbanlover - February 18 - 12:40 pm

  As my "alias" implies I drive a Suburban, while I traded my wifes 98 Discovery in for the new MDX. Although we waited for five months, the vehicle was worth it. Its road mannerisms are more car-like than an SUV but can accommodate more than four people (15 total when adding the Suburbans capacity). All joking aside, as a parent, I am increasingly discouraged by sedan manufactures turning rear seats into "buckets" reducing their effective capacity by one.

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  BAR NONE - 2003 Acura MDX
  By andyficomotors - February 15 - 10:00 am

  I have been driving a wide assortment of S.U.V.S This is the best one I have ever driven! This is smooth, powerful, sleek, and very roomey inside. Do not just drive it for 10 minutes before you buy one... take one home for an overnight use and really check one out...BAR NONE, THIS IS THE BEST. PERIOD

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  Value-for-money champ - 2003 Acura MDX
  By hermantam - February 10 - 10:00 am

  - Superior value over Lexus - Reliability over most European brands per JD Power (I traded-in my problematic ML for the MDX) - Sportier than the RX and GX: precise steering, great engine - Better looking than the FX