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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  Rear main seal - transmission - 2005 Acura MDX
  By Van Sean - April 4 - 11:55 am

  Barely out of warranty and the rear main seal (rear crankshaft seal) failed. The sad part is I just paid off this sucker. Transmission also started to develop problems. Replacing the rear main seal can cost upward $2000 (mostly labor) but this wont stop the other transmission related problems. I finally gave up and traded it in for a new car. This was a loss-loss situation for me. Acura quality is falling apart. Sadly, I am not the only ones being affected by this...avoid at all cost!

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  Incredible SUV!!!! - 2007 Acura MDX
  By Pat - April 3 - 4:06 pm

  The prelim reviews were great, and I anxiously awaited its arrival at dealerships. I purchased one the 1st day they were available and have no regrets!!! Its incredibly powerful. After driving a suburban for 6 years, Im loving this SUV! Ive driven some great performance vehicles in the past, and this is definitely at the top.

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  Best SUV Bang for your buck! - 2008 Acura MDX
  By Judith Temple - March 31 - 9:36 am

  After having owned the BMW X3, the MDX is a pleasure to drive. Reliability is great for 25,000 miles. Only things wrong are Bluetooth rings and cannot hear whose on the other end and many viable addresses do not show up on Navigation system. Dealer service excellent. A few miss-steps in design no lights for A/C controls at night rear view pic doesnt come on in reverse for 10 seconds, some wind noise, transmission can be rough and erratic. No ipod plug which I didnt realize until after I purchased. Front end design could be improved, very masculine. Sounds like a lot but I do really like this car. Also test drove BMW X5 and Lexus 400.

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  Great vehicle - 2007 Acura MDX
  By Kevin - March 28 - 2:06 pm

  I have had my MDX over a week now and love it. Never had an SUV with the power and handling the MDX has. Even in the comfort mode, handles like a dream. Gas mileage has been fair. (17 MPG mixed hwy and city.) Very fun to drive. The navigation system is awesome. Easy to use and many features. Stereo system very impressive. Head lamps light the road very well at night. Seats are very comfortable and the heated seats work very well. 3rd row seats are OK. Great for kids or adults on short trips. The rear entertainment is very nice. Good screen and easy to operate. Wireless headphones give great sound. Would like to have seen the vehicle have a built in phone holder, and coin holder.

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  Awesome Car - 2003 Acura MDX
  By ali3622 - March 28 - 2:00 am

  The MDX is the best car I have ever owned.

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  so nice - 2006 Acura MDX
  By toomanypetz - March 27 - 10:07 am

  We replaced our Honda Pilot with this car. I really liked my Pilot but to get all these features it would cost so much more. The Acura has a smooth quiet ride and plenty of room. I feel very luxurious with all the leather and comfort. It makes me feel less like a "soccer mom". We love it!

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  Excellent SUV - 2008 Acura MDX
  By fort99 - March 25 - 5:26 am

  We bought ours a week ago. So far so good. Excellent handling especially compared to 4Runner. It would be perfect with less tire noise.

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  A new MDX - 2017 Acura MDX
  By Minnesota MDX owner - March 24 - 2:31 am

  We just acquired a new MDX from Bloomington Acura and Edward Kaspustin. A truly great buying experience. Edward spent a great deal of time before and after the purchase going over the MDX and its features and followed up after the purchase to see how it was performing and how we liked the vehicle. Outstanding

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  195K and still going strong - 2001 Acura MDX
  By alabamafamily - March 23 - 11:24 am

  This is the best car Ive ever owned. Ill roll 200,000 miles sometime this summer, yet this car has NEVER let me down. The only time its ever been in the shop was for air conditioning problems. Even then it was a minor fix. I highly recommend this vehicle to anyone considering it!

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  Disappointed - 2009 Acura MDX
  By mend - March 18 - 1:07 pm

  Vehicle is daily driver for my wife and she seems to like the car but this is the roughest riding vehicle I have ever driven. All small bumps and holes in the road are felt in the steering and suspension. Make sure that you drive the vehicle on a long test drive on all conditions of pavement as this was the mistake that I made. Have tried running the vehicle with the bare min. air pressure in the tires but not much helps. Hopefully the suspension will loosen up with time as I try not to ride in or drive this car which is quite a let down.