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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  Very Impressive - 2003 Acura MDX
  By cwilson336 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned the car now for just a little over a week, and I still cant wait to drive it. The ride is extremely smooth, the controls are right where they should be, and the performance is a knockout. I test drove the Lexus RX 330 and loved it, but I just couldnt pass up the value in a simarly equipped MDX. My only request would be a better use of dash space. The trip computer seems to be kind of silly and overkill.

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  Better than expected gas mileage - 2009 Acura MDX
  By schooldoc - April 28 - 3:41 pm

  I read these review before I buy so thats why Im doing this. My first SUV, typically German sports cars. 11,000 miles no problems, gas mileage computer at 65 mph freeway 25-26 mpg, if I were to drive at 80 it would drop to 20-21, so Im happy. Love sport suspension, in an emergency quick manuever suspension tightened up and I avoided an accident, fun too. Sequoia mtns. Snow was fun an safe handling, lots of power, remember im used to BMWs and Porsches, no longer trust Mercedes. Surprised I enjoy the elec. Tail gate, love the taupe interior, nav screen big, blu tooth wonderful, computer info good, x-lights great cockpit comfort, luv the front grill etc. Looking to buy another in 2 years.

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  Best car ever - 2009 Acura MDX
  By sunsky - April 27 - 2:19 pm

  This is the best car ever.

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  Transmission problem at 400 miles - 2009 Acura MDX
  By rams - April 20 - 1:20 pm

  Bought my MDX 4 months back. After 2 months transmission fluid started leaking, noticed oil marks on my garage floor. Took to dealer - they had to open the whole transmission and check inside. The problem was a faulty "O" ring which was causing the leak. If a $20 part is faulty after 400 miles not sure what to expect from this SUV. The dealer had to remove the whole transmission, unlink it with the engine, opened up everything connected to the engine to get to the faulty O ring. Dont buy this car, for this price there are much better options in the market. I have Lexus SUV as well and it far exceeds Acura from performance and reliability.

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  Love the MDX!!! - 2004 Acura MDX
  By crazyhutch - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Awesome from top to bottom. The navigation system is simply amazing and the DVD is great for traveling with kids. Great gas mileage, features, and design.

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  Great Bang for the Buck - 2009 Acura MDX
  By Ryki - April 14 - 4:57 pm

  This is my 3rd MDX. Great vehicle, reliable, comfortable, quick and fun to drive. Dollar for dollar there is no better SUV on the market today. I have put about 100,000 miles on the 3 MDXs with few if any problems. My only real gripe is that the few problems I have had, have been dealt with poorly. The service departments of the Acura dealers are well below par, in fact they are poor. This is my 4th Acura in 7 years and as much as I love the vehicles, because of the quality of Acuras service, this will probably be my last. Honda get your act together you aint no Lexus.

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  2 years with the MDX - 2007 Acura MDX
  By wasatch7 - April 13 - 12:33 pm

  First luxury crossover SUV I have owned. MDX won out over the Lexus, and cost less for a very well equipped base package. Handling, power and ride are outstanding. Back seats are a little less comfortable for my tall teenagers. Back cargo area is very roomy, and easily expandable with 3rd seat folded and back seats down. I drive up snowy, often treacherous mountain canyons to ski in the winter. The SH-AWD system, coupled with the manual shift mode (for descents), is outstanding. The MDX is much better in the snow than 3 truck base SUVs, I have owned previously.

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  Top-of-the-Heap SUV!! - 2007 Acura MDX
  By TNCPA - April 13 - 7:13 am

  With the exception of gas mileage, the new MDX exceeds my expectations - handling on par with best sport sedans, very quiet, rides better than most luxury cars. Build quality very good. Improved overall from an excellent 2001 MDX. Trip computer very inaccurate - overstates mpg by at least 10%. MPG an actual 20.5 for 2000 mile trip, primarily interstate at 70-75 mph. Surround sound system is excellent, perhaps better than my 04 Acura TL.

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  Great car, keep those PINs!! - 2005 Acura MDX
  By seanandre - April 6 - 12:26 pm

  Bought it b/c baby on the way. Yeah, car was working perfectly. Interior light left on drained battery, got a jump... Need the pin numbers for both radio and nav to start working again. Had incorrect pin for nav, cost 90 bucks to pull system out and ref serial number in database... If you buy car used (like us) get those correct pins AND serial numbers. Car is great other than that, we live in DC, the nav system is awesome and a must, much better than BMW, space is great (been remodeling condo and moving furniture). Gas milage from 15-24mpg depending on city/hwy. Not a hardcore 4x4, but just snowed and we never felt the vehicle lose ground on hills or get bogged down, just powered on through

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  Drives like a dream - 2007 Acura MDX
  By mnozek - April 6 - 10:32 am

  This is the first Japanese SUV we have had in a while. Last SUVs were Yukon XL and Envoy XL. This beats them out by far. Performs almost as well as our Mercedes e class but has the utility of our Envoy. We always take this on trips and it is very comfortable. The third row is great for smaller children but not so much for adults. Best SUV so far. No problems within our almost 2 years ownership.