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.
Acura MDX Trims | 3.5L | 3.5L with Technology Package | 3.5L with A-Spec Package | 3.5L with Advance Package | Type S | Type S with Advance Package |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Max Width | 78.7 in. | 78.7 in. | 78.7 in. | 78.7 in. | 78.7 in. | 78.7 in. |
Length | 198.4 in. | 198.4 in. | 198.4 in. | 198.4 in. | 198.4 in. | 198.4 in. |
Height | 67.1 in. | 67.1 in. | 67.1 in. | 67.1 in. | 67.1 in. | 67.1 in. |
Wheelbase | 113.8 in. | 113.8 in. | 113.8 in. | 113.8 in. | 113.8 in. | 113.8 in. |
Acura MDX Trims | Curb Weight |
---|---|
3.5L | 4,271 - 4,503 lbs. |
3.5L with Technology Package | 4,297 - 4,529 lbs. |
3.5L with A-Spec Package | 4,534 lbs. |
3.5L with Advance Package | 4,565 lbs. |
Type S | 4,741 lbs. |
Type S with Advance Package | 4,788 lbs. |
Front Tire | P255/50HR20 |
Rear Tire | P255/50HR20 |
Wheels Type | Aluminum Wheels |
Front Wheel Size | 20" x 9" |
Rear Wheel Size | 20" x 9" |
There are eight exterior colors to choose from but not all of these are available across the entire range. Unlike most manufacturers that offer a basic black and white as the only no-cost options, Acura offers Lunar Silver Metallic and a funky Fathom Blue Pearl. Platinum White Pearl, Liquid Carbon Metallic, Majestic Black Pearl, and Performance Red Pearl cost an additional $500 each.
From there, it gets a bit more complicated. If you want the base MDX in Apex Blue, you have to add the Technology Package, the A-Spec Package, and AWD. Together, these upgrades will cost a steep $10,200, excluding the $500 cost of the paint itself. Another color, Phantom Violet Pearl ($500), can be specified by adding the $4,700 Technology Package with the Ebony interior. There are other limitations, such as not being able to order this violet shade in tandem with the sporty A-Spec Package. Thankfully, Acura's model configurator is extremely easy to use and will explain exactly what you need to add and remove to get the color you want.
Type S models get an exclusive Tiger Eye Pearl exterior paint at $500, which does an excellent job of making the MDX stand out. We were pleasantly surprised by our tester's Platinum White Pearl paint, which looks great contrasted with the dark grey A-Spec wheels.