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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  The anti-mini van! - 2004 Acura MDX
  By Erica - May 14 - 11:32 pm

  Traded in a 2002 Expedition Eddie Bauer for the brand new 2004 MDX and havent looked back! I am not a believer because I have 3 kids I need to be driving a mini van! We have hauled wood, furniture, and kids stuff with our luxury SUV. I get many great comments about my truck from all ages! I still save money on gas regardless of having to buy premium gas vs. the regular gas my V8 Expedition used. The 5 of us drove to NY from GA and was comfortable the entire trip. As a prior Honda owner, I have always wanted an Acura and am happy I made the decision to buy one. The one regret I have is not getting navigation. My husband now is considering selling his precious Mustang GT convertible for a TL.

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  So disapponited in my MDX and Quality - 2003 Acura MDX
  By Chris D - May 11 - 11:35 am

  I bought my 2003 Acura MDX Brand new and currently it has 40k miles and in that time I have the Rotors and Brakes replaced under warr at least 4 times and all miles are highway and pampered. I have also had the truck at Acura on 4 ocassions for the Steering Wheel control because everytime I raise the volume the station changes and everytime the dealer says it was a bad ground and still cant fix it. I have opened up a complaint with Acura Corporate and bringing my truck again tonight to be fixed. All I can tell you is that I have 8 months left of my lease and I WILL NOT buy another Acura again it has been a big disappointment to spend $40000 on an SUV and deal with these constant problems

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  Annoying rattles - 2003 Acura MDX
  By grlyman - May 9 - 10:00 am

  Acura MDX with 7000 miles has annoying rattles that the dealer cannot fix. At the roof near the DVD viewer is an annoying noise like fingernails clicking. The air conditioner makes a rattling noise like a soft baby rattle which can be heard on the two lowest fan speeds. Im very disappointed that the dealers service department was unable to fix these two noises. This distracts from the otherwise excellent performance of the sound system and the automobile.

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  Thunder - 2017 Acura MDX
  By Rajeev Kalsi - May 9 - 6:23 am

  "Thunder" thats what we named our MDX. Thats based on the black on black combo we got. Bought it after selling our pilot (you will be missed). Anyway , the Pilots big bro MDX is a great vehicle. I have never seen my wife more happy with a car we ever owned, than with this. On the road its calm , serene and commands a presence of its own. If the diamond grill and 22" wheels dont turn much heads, then the jewel eyes sure do it. It has a mind of its own even if you are feeling sleepy and it will tell you that by beeping every time you get too close to another car. Be it changing lanes or head on. Automatic braking is the most understated feature. Come to think of it, there have been times when I was driving another car and wished they had this one feature. Ample space for a family of 4 and spare seats for those once in 6 months or a year need for extra. Yes it comes with 2 memory sets of mirror and seating paired with 2 sets of keys. So when wife drives it mirror automatically set to her taste and when I do , it welcomes me with open arms and pre-adjusted seats and mirrors. Automatic liftgate, keyless car access and ambient lights give a feeling of luxury so does filling the gas tank with premium, only pinching , while drinking. Thats about the only pinch though. For buyers, with remorse, who would get a touring or elite younger brother, this gives a justified peace to its owner with the fact that its just couple of thousand more than the younger sibling. It also displays authority, with the body styling, shows seriousness, with 9 speed auto and means business when compared to the touring or elites, of which it claims none but possesses both. Meanwhile I keep finding reasons to get it out of garage for every little errand. For once, no errand is small.

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  The Ack - 2006 Acura MDX
  By The Ack - May 5 - 2:45 pm

  After owning a 1994 Acura Legend Coupe, this new addition to the family was no surprise of its greatness. I have been exstremely pleased and the expectations continued to be met each time I start the MDX up.

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  Love it! - 2002 Acura MDX
  By Linda - May 2 - 10:26 pm

  Its easy to see why they are being sold as quickly as they arrive on the sales floor.

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  2004 MDX w/ Nav - 2004 Acura MDX
  By ovation00 - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Its been about 3 wks since I pick up my 04 mdx. The engine has just broken in and I started pushing it more. This vehicle drives, handles quite well and is quite. I like the easy-to-use buttons and simple interior. It looks wonderful with satin finish side step, rear spoiler, and wide side moldings. There are a couple of glitches to be fixed such as faulty tire pressure light (TPMS) and low clicking sound from the break pedal.

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  Terrible Transmission - 2016 Acura MDX
  By Terry - April 25 - 6:59 pm

  I have had the car for 7,000 miles now. The transmission is very jerky. There are times when making a right turn going from high to low speed and trying to get the car back up to speed is a pain. I have to push the accelerator much harder around turns and the car struggles to find a gear. For a luxury car, this is not acceptable. The drive is not fun at all and the service department at Weir Canyon Acura said this is the way the car drives. I have called Acura directly to log a complaint. Contact them directly so they can fix this issue. I dont think I would buy another Acura again.

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  Good car for long time user - 2007 Acura MDX
  By Nicollette Mourot - April 22 - 9:40 pm

  I love my car!!! This car has been well worth the money we spent on it. It is beautiful, fast and elegant. My car has 112 plus miles and has been faithfully maintained by local Acura dealership. Still runs like a top and is still current.

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  Roaring noise from exhaust at 2k rpms - 2004 Acura MDX
  By asharkov2 - April 21 - 2:00 am

  My 2004 MDX makes a low-pitched annoying roaring noise at about 2000 rpms from the exhaust. I took my car to the dealer, and this is what the mechanic wrote: "I test drove the car and could hear the roaring noise at 2Krpm. I swapped exhaust from a new MDX and it still made the same noise. I swapped the air box assembly and it still made the same noise. I test drove another 04 MDX and it makes the same noise" The service manager told me that this is "a characteristic of the vehicle," that nothing can be done about it at this time, and only if Acura gets enough complaints, it may look at the problem, and find a fix.