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! - 2001 Acura MDX
  By Beachkid - July 6 - 1:43 pm

  I bought the car the first month it was available in 2001. I now have over 167K miles on it and its going strong. I too received a new transmission during the recall so I should have several good years left. I love the versatility of the vehicle. From sheets of plywood to trees! I wont buy a new one again but will consider a used one or possibly a CR-V. My husband loves his CR-V and I dont mind driving it but my MDX has just a bit more luxury about it -- if youre willing to pay the extra $$. Might even consider a Toyota. But Ive been driving either Hondas or Acuras since 1984..so it might be hard to change now. The MDX handles very much like a car, and Ive really enjoyed owning it.

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  Dianes mdx - 2002 Acura MDX
  By DustyDiane - July 4 - 10:00 am

  Overall a very good vehicle. Could use a little more driver leg room for those of us over six feet.

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  Huge mistake! - 2009 Acura MDX
  By Jessie P - July 3 - 3:28 am

  Generally I buy cars based on my trust in a company. Ive owned a total of 6 Honda products (including Acura - TL), and all of them have been outstanding. This vehicle is a big disappointment!!! Where do I begin? I buy Honda products (and Japanese vehicles in general) for their bulletproof reliability, but Ive had numerous problems with this MDX - been to dealer 6 times! Electrical issues, and a Transmission issue, and some others....and the power/acceleration is very mediocre (300hp?? Yeah, right!), and the ENGINE is VERY NOISY and unrefined when accelerating!!! Shocking for a luxury vehicle. Terrible leather! Sound system, Nav and handling are the only good attributes of this vehicle.

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  Not too shabby! - 2009 Acura MDX
  By JW - June 29 - 10:43 pm

  Owned it for only a few days and really enjoy driving it. Panel controls are complicated but not impossible. Will see about reliability later...

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  Wish I can get the 2003.. - 2003 Acura MDX
  By TYP - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Just when I thought I got the best car I can find for my needs.. I was prooven wrong.. The 2003 MDX have much more of cool stuff..

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  Best vehicle weve ever owned - 2007 Acura MDX
  By Pleased - June 22 - 2:05 pm

  Im two years into a three year lease and I love this car. The only thing I would change would be the shape of the grill...THATS IT. Everything else is perfect. Great performance, plenty of power and AWD when skiing, plenty of room for baggage, great MPG for an SUV, navi system is far superior to GMs Suburban (dont have to put in park to change your destination, etc). Zero problems...just gas and oil changes. One beautiful car...except for the sho-gun shield looking grill.

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  Pretty good - 2009 Acura MDX
  By Dave - June 20 - 12:01 pm

  Nice car. Build quality is excellent. Dealer service has been excellent. Bluetooth cell phone pairing is easy and nice. Seats are hard for me to set up comfortably though and the headrests are absolutely awful. Very uncomfortable due b/c they tilt too far forward. Dash has too many buttons. Acura should consolidate the controls to make them easier to use, rather than trying to make you depend on voice input. GPS requires far too many steps. No iPod integration is disappointing. Needs better, more durable clear coat on the paint. Rear camera display hangs switching modes (dark to light) backing out of a driveway so often is useless when needed most on a sunny day.

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  Rattle box - 2016 Acura MDX
  By Jerry - June 19 - 11:18 pm

  This is the worst purchase ever. The seats are very uncomfortable. Cheap build quality as the doors rattles when you drive. Terrible drivetrain. Lots of noise and vibrations. If you want a real luxury car, look at Lexus, Mercedes, or Bmw.

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  Handles like a dream - 2008 Acura MDX
  By Richpat95 - June 13 - 3:10 pm

  Nothing on the road can compare to this vehicle. I have driven every one and this is the crossover. Handles like a dream and technology is so seamless and easy to use. Sound system is simply remarkable.

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  Acura RL on Steroid - 2007 Acura MDX
  By SWANN - June 12 - 8:53 am

  Just picked up mine last week, black on black with Technology and Entertainment. So far I have put in five hundred miles. All heads turn. Drove during Thanksgiving trip, loving the bluetooth and live traffic info. State of the art GPS system.