2023 Acura MDX Exterior and Dimensions

Acura says the new MDX is emotionally styled, whatever that means. It's likely marketing speak for an aggressive yet sophisticated exterior with some lovely details. This inspiration is the Acura Precision Concept, albeit toned down significantly and reworked as a crossover. We like the headlights, large Acura badge, and intricately detailed grille. It reminds us of what Captain Kirk sees from his Captain's Chair when the USS Enterprise enters warp speed. Jewel Eye LED headlights with Chicane LED daytime running lights and auto high beams are standard across the range. 19-inch alloy wheels are standard on the entry-level model, while the rest of the range gets 20-inch wheels in different designs. A power tailgate is also standard across the range, with high-end models adding hands-free access and walk-away closing. Finally, every new MDX gets a power moonroof.

Type S variants come with a Sport appearance package, which includes a new front fascia with an aggressive spoiler, functional side air inlets, and a Diamond Pentagon grille for increased airflow. Blacked-out exterior accents and 21-inch wheels are standard for Type S models, but the Advanced Package adds gloss black wheel arches and lower body trim, too. On both, four round exhaust outlets seal the deal.

Completely redesigning the MDX allowed Acura to increase the dimensions in every direction. The overall length is 198.4 inches, but the big difference is the 113.8-inch wheelbase, a 2.8-inch increase over the outgoing model. It's also 1.4 inches wider than before with a width of 78.7 inches, but the maximum height of 67.1 inches is 0.3 closer to the ground than before. This, and the all-new panoramic moonroof that's standard across the range, has had an impact on the headroom, but not so much that you'd notice. Also important is the four-inch longer dash-to-axle ratio, which gives the MDX rear-wheel-drive proportions.

These changes have resulted in an increase in curb weight. The older, smaller model had a curb weight of 4,032 pounds in front-wheel-drive guise, climbing to as much as 4,350 lbs for the heaviest non-hybrid, all-wheel-drive version. By comparison, the new model weighs 4,271 lbs in base, FWD format and up to 4,788 lbs in AWD Type S guise.