Acura’s fourth-generation MDX midsize SUV is near the starting line. The premium people hauler, which the brand claims started the three-row trend, will debut with an all-new platform, performance-tuned suspension and two new powertrains, one of which is a Type S turbocharged V6. The new MDX also has been restyled to appear more athletically inclined.
Though the reveal centers around a concept, it’s clear the new Acura MDX will have elevated its game, especially amidst a slew of fierce competitors such as the new BMW X5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE, which both offer performance variants to parents who like to go fast (or at least appear that they do). The Type S variant will be the first to be worn by an Acura SUV. The MDX arrives early in 2021, most likely as a 2022 model, with the Type S coming mid-year. While Acura says “concept,” the vehicle looks to be production-ready.
The Acura MDX concept features the same engine that powered the outgoing model: a 3.5-liter V6, now tied to a 10-speed, not nine-speed transmission. The refined powertrain delivers 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The highlight of the lineup is the Type S, a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that delivers 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque (a 22% and 33% boost over the standard engine). Acura did not say what transmission it would use. A front-wheel drivetrain will continue to be standard, with the option of all-wheel drive. Type S variants will be AWD-only.
Acura says the MDX’s new platform will make its handling more athletic, increase comfort and improve cabin quietness. The chassis features a new double wishbone suspension and the all-wheel drive system has been updated for maximum grip and cornering. Acura also outfitted the MDX with Brembo four-piston brake calipers. It also features a set of fixed drive modes that will likely adjust the settings for inclement weather. Drivers that live in regions that see heavy rain and snow will appreciate the upgrade. For those that want to push the limits after school drop off, there a customizable “individual” mode inspired by the NSX supercar.
The exterior styling of the MDX concept is more reflective of its newfound agility. The oversized pentagon grille sits more upright and a longer, more sculpted hood emphasizes a lower and wider stance. The windshield and rear and side windows are further back, opening up 6 additional inches of depth in the dashboard. LED headlights flank the grille and are underscored by a daytime running light design inspired by the Acura ARX-05 race car. Integrated fog lights under the side vents highlight the MDX’s new wider track. All four 21-inch wheels have been pushed out to the corners, giving the MDX 3-inch wheelbase increase. That means more room in the interior for passengers and cargo.
In addition to more leg and headroom, Acura used open-pore wood, polished aluminum and soft-touch leather to dress the interior. The instrument panel is trimmed in black and cream leather with contrast stitching. All three rows of seats are more sculpted and feature diamond-esque quilting. The driver and front passenger have 16-way power-adjusting seats with a massage function—because kids in the wayback can still be noisy and nothing is wrong with a little cockpit zen. The MDX concept also boasts a wide panoramic moonroof for added lighting. Just like many of its high-end rivals, Acura promises to deliver a cabin that can be illuminated with 27 different LED lighting schemes that’s sure to delight the entire family.
The interior of the MDX concept features more digital treatment. Analog gauges on the instrument panel have been swapped out for a 12.3-inch digital display, which is complemented by another 12.3-inch touchscreen in the center stack. Higher trims will likely feature this futuristic configuration along with a 25-speaker, 1,000-watt premium audio system by ELS. Six of the speakers are mounted in the ceiling and six carbon fiber coned mid-range subwoofers are positioned in the front console. The center stack display will be controlled by Acura’s unique True Touchpad Interface, or TTI.
All these posh enhancements suggest Acura plans a head-to-head battle with Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The base price, now $45,525 with shipping, may move closer to German-car pricing. (The BMW X5 starts at $59,400.)
On the safety front, the MDX has what Acura calls ACE, or “Advanced Capability Engineering,” which is a re-distribution of energy away from the passenger compartments should a collision occur. An expanded suite of AcuraWatch advanced driver-assistance safety technology will include Traffic Jam Assist, which is a combination of low-speed adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance.
The MDX has been a best-seller for the brand. Through August, sales of MDX topped 27,600 units, which is second in the lineup only to its smaller SUV sibling, the RDX, which sold 33,000 units during the same period, according to MotorIntelligence. Acura also said it recently surpassed the TL as the top-selling Acura model of all-time. More than 1 million MDXs have been sold in the U.S. since 2001, making the MDX the best-selling luxury three-row SUV ever. (The two-row luxury midsize Lexus RX has sold 1.6 million units.)
The 2021 or 2022 Acura MDX will be built at the company’s factory in East Liberty, Ohio. Both engines will be produced at the plant in Anna, Ohio, which also makes the NSX supercar’s twin-turbocharged hybrid V6 unit.
