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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  Lots to like; easy to be with. - 2004 Acura MDX
  By DonMclRPI - August 15 - 2:00 am

  This is by far the most comfortable vehicle I have ever driven. Everything manages to be in the right place to find it and the little features of automation really work to make the driving pleasant. The heating system, while short of all the buttons, knobs and zones of some others, simply works. I (we) seldome change any setting, save the back seat control to allow passengers their say The second seats are the surprise.... they recline. Backing up with the camera is surprising. Try it in a pitch dark situation to really surprise yourself. And, six though it is, it goes! My advice .... drive this "bland" SUV a few miles before you buy anything else.

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  2003 Acura MDX - 2003 Acura MDX
  By Shirley Hoskins - August 11 - 1:24 pm

  This car drives like a breeze. I had a BMW prior to this MDX and I like the MDX much better. I like Acuras so much, I will never drive anything else.

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  Best SUV - 2003 Acura MDX
  By jph0025 - August 9 - 12:19 am

  If you are looking for a very-well rounded SUV, look no further than the Acura MDX! Its a great looking SUV with available seating for up to 7 passengers. I usually get about 22 mpg overall but recently have been getting about 26/27!!! The touring/navi package is awesome.

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  Satisfied in Chicago - 2007 Acura MDX
  By inguinal hernia - August 2 - 9:31 pm

  Ive owned a new 07 MDX for a month now, and have driven it close to 2000 miles in city and suburb. Comparing it to my past ownership of a Honda Accord and my spouses BMW 5 series sedan, I think this is an excellent AWD SUV and I would, with no doubt, buy it again. The audio system quality and navi. are noticeably superior to the bmws. Easy to drive around family and friends in comfort. Easy to haul luggage and purchases from the local hardware store. Rear view camera is indispensable (IMHO, this should be standard on all SUVs for safety). Minor quibbles: "live" traffic update is not so helpful, I prefer pushing buttons or twisting dials for commands rather than voice.

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  strong smell from leather seat - 2016 Acura MDX
  By Wei Li - August 2 - 9:41 am

  I bought a 2016 MDX at Apr 2015. The car has unusual new car smell. At the beginning, I thought it will disappear soon .I am wrong. I cant stay in the car without the window open for more than one year. But unfortunately after two summers, the smell of new car just reduced a little bit and the leather seat still gives off strong chemical odor. I can confirm because if I smell closely to the leather its just too strong chemical odor. I have owned multiple cars with leather seats before. This is the first time I hit the issue. I very understand that leather products usually has "leather smell" and I actually like that. But this smell from ACURA 2016 MDX seats is not typical genuine leather smell. Its just unpleasant chemical smell. At the time I bought the 2016 MDX, I noticed it smells more strong than 2015 MDX. And it seems to be issue with all 2016 MDX at least the first batches. I was told by many people that baking the car in summer could reduced the new car smell. Now I have done it twice in the summer. Almost every sunny day I leave the car outside and open the window just a little. I have verified it doesnt work for this car. Because this time, issue is from seat. I am pretty issue besides the seat, the smell is OK. Just the leather chemical smell is too bad. One detail I noticed is there is no smell from back piece of seat. I am guessing that the back piece of the seat has different leather.

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  Exceeds my expectations every day - 2007 Acura MDX
  By Larry - August 1 - 11:02 pm

  The 2007 MDX a superb vehicle. Its truly hard to express how great this vehicle is. The navigation system is intuitive and simple to use. The voice recognition is excellent. The ride is extremely comfortable and the vehicle handles the road extremely well. I cant imagine how well the Sports Package performs. Overall, easily the best vehicle Ive owned (compared to Explorer, Jeep, BMW). Highly recommended.

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  Some serious design flaws - 2007 Acura MDX
  By LexThor - July 31 - 10:03 pm

  Huge side blind spots make lane changes a gamble. Uncomfortable seats. Dashboard angled steeply away from driver so in sunlight you cannot see the digital readouts. The 4 dash A/C vents almost close when you aim them to blow air at you. And under powered - if you think the 300hp stat means this car will outperform a 265hp V8, a test drive will show this car powers more like a 210 hp V6 costing $15K less. On the plus side, solid luxurious quiet ride and decent handling. Perfect for soccer moms. Not for inner city driving where you need power to zoom up hills and need to be aware of surrounding traffic in case of quick lane changes.

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  Perfect harmony of luxury, tech, and sport - 2007 Acura MDX
  By Facha - July 31 - 9:53 am

  I bought this SUV early July, and am loving every bit of the vehicle. My family members including myself are owners of 5 Lexus vehicles (2 ES, 2 GS, 1 SC) and I introduced the 07 MDX to the bunch. I have no complaints so far and I love the luxury feel of the inside with an awesome sport feel that I would not be able to get from the RX. I test drove several SUVs (Audi Q7, RX 350, BMW X5, Buick Enclave, Chevy Tahoe, looked at the LR3, GMC Acadia) and nothing came close to the drive and luxury that MDX offered. Navigation and voice commands for nav, climate and radio are by far the best.

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  All in one Champ - 2007 Acura MDX
  By Srid - July 30 - 6:01 pm

  Undoubtedly this is the best of its class vehicle with outstanding bang for the buck. I am into 3rd week of ownership, so my experience with it is minimal, but all for now I can observe and suggest that Acura improve the ride with more comfort or sportier. Either be more like comfy Lexus or sportier like BMW. Regardless, my experience is still minimal and as it stands I own an outstanding car.

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  Great family car - 2007 Acura MDX
  By Jake and Katie - July 29 - 11:49 am

  We absolutely love this vehicle. It fits both of our kids (with car seats), our dog, and several adults comfortably. The memory seats are great, being that my husband and I have almost a foot difference in height. Does not drive quite as well as our Saab 9-3, but definitely more like a sedan than expected. Also like that insurance barely increased (and prior vehicle was 99 Passat).