The sphere of luxurious 3-row SUVs is surprisingly deep, and not using a single standout shaming the pack. However the Acura MDX is likely to be essentially the most shocking automobile within the section.
Positive, it’s high-tech. Positive, it’s comfy. And certain, it’s enjoyable to drive. However you anticipate these issues from a luxurious automobile. What you don’t anticipate is such an approachable value. The MDX begins at $49,550. Final month, the typical new automobile in America bought for slightly over $48,000.
The MDX is an athletic and engaging luxurious automobile with three rows of seating for little greater than the worth of the typical new automobile. That’s gorgeous.
The MDX isn’t all-new for 2023, but it surely may as nicely be. It was redesigned from the wheels up for the 2022 mannequin yr, so it wanted only a few modest tweaks to maintain it among the many freshest choices in its class.
Acura builds the MDX with a 3.5-liter V6 making 290 horsepower or a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 making 355. Energy goes by means of a 10-speed computerized transmission. Entrance-wheel drive is normal, with Acura’s glorious Tremendous Dealing with All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system out there as nicely.
Let’s have a look contained in the 2023 MDX:
Passenger Room and Consolation
Climb into the MDX, and also you’ll first discover the spaciousness. Our check driver wrote, “The attraction is broad, the expertise is deep, and the cabin is large.”
Headroom and legroom measurements are typical for the category. You get extra front- and third-row headroom than in a Lexus GX and extra first- and second-row legroom than in a BMX X5.
However the shoulder and hip room measurements lead the category. That has a psychological impact — you are feeling like you may unfold out within the MDX. It’s good.
Our check driver discovered the motive force’s seat “splendidly comfy and supportive.” Most trim ranges get 12-way energy seats with energy lumbar help. Advance fashions, the highest trim degree, get 16-way adjustable seats with thigh extensions and facet bolsters.
Each trim degree will get heated entrance seats; on most, they’re ventilated, too. Even the rear outboard positions within the second row get seat heaters within the MDX Advance.
Third-row lodging are tight for adults, however that’s to be anticipated with midsize SUVs. However the third row within the MDX is usable — the second row’s center seat is detachable, making it simpler to entry the again.
Options and Tech
The newest design development in luxurious automobiles is absolute minimalism. The MDX, fortunately, has rejected the thought.
Some rivals place every part from stereo settings to seat positions behind touchscreen menus. This makes easy changes a fancy course of. The MDX, nevertheless, is stuffed with old-school buttons and switches. It’s fantastic. You don’t should look away from the street to vary the temperature.
Talking of temperature, each trim degree will get 3-zone computerized local weather management. For a lot of trim ranges, it’s GPS-linked, adjusting for the solar’s angle.
That doesn’t imply it’s missing in know-how. As an alternative, it’s stuffed with thoughtfully built-in know-how. The driving force will get a 12.3-inch digital show they will configure to indicate the knowledge they like, and on Advance fashions, a head-up show initiatives turn-by-turn instructions straight into their line of sight.
A 12.3-inch central show, nonetheless managed with a touchpad on the middle console, is a bit wonky. However Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are normal, as is Amazon’s Alexa Constructed-in. So you may accomplish many duties with voice instructions and steering wheel-mounted controls.
Acura cares concerning the audio expertise in its automobiles. Patrons can select from 9, 12, 16, or 25 audio system relying on trim degree. These final three come courtesy of Elliot Scheiner, a Grammy award-winning studio engineer, who tuned the techniques to sound correct from each seating place.
However the MDX doesn’t simply have large applied sciences. Considerate small touches abound, like out there charging ports for all three rows.
Our favourite know-how, although, is likely to be the Stroll Away Shut system. In case you stroll away from the open tailgate with the important thing, it’ll shut itself. It’s nice for these of us who should get all of the groceries in a single go.
Supplies and Design
Acura designers did a pleasant job updating the MDX’s cabin with the most effective new and previous concepts. The central display screen is positioned excessive, so the motive force can verify it with out wanting down from the roadway. However loads of features get actual buttons and dials — a security characteristic in 2023.
Most luxurious automakers have moved away from leather-based in base mannequin automobiles in favor of simulated stuff that wears nicely over time however, typically, doesn’t really feel like the actual factor. Solely the bottom mannequin of the MDX has it, although. Each different trim degree will get the actual factor and is perforated for breathability.
The corporate additionally allows you to get inventive with it. Leather-based colour decisions embrace the standard black but in addition Azurite Blue, sharp pink, and Orchid, a stunning white shade that emphasizes the spaciousness talked about above.
Cargo Room and Flexibility
The MDX has one of many largest cargo capacities in its class. Behind the third-row seats, you get 18.1 cubic toes of area. Behind the second row, 48.4. You’ll discover a cavernous 95 cubic toes with all seats folded flat.
It’s a versatile area, too. Underfloor storage cubbies conceal objects you don’t wish to take out of the automobile. The cargo lid will be reversed — plastic facet up for simple cleansing when hauling dwelling crops from the backyard middle, carpet facet up the remainder of the time.
Construct and value your model of the 2023 Acura MDX to see this week’s Kelley Blue E-book Truthful Buy Value, 5-Yr Value to Personal, and extra, or try Acura MDX fashions on the market close to you.
