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2022 Acura MDX

Starting at $49,195

8/10 C/D RATING
Specs
2022 acura mdx sh awd
Michael Simari|Car and Driver
8/10 C/D RATING

Select a year

  • Highs Sharp styling, surprisingly nimble chassis, high-tech cabin.
  • Lows Tight third row passenger space, mediocre fuel economy ratings, fussy infotainment touchpad.
  • Verdict Acura's flagship SUV benefits from a comprehensive redesign for 2022, but it's not quite as posh as some rivals.
By Drew Dorian

Overview

Acura is on a tear updating its small lineup of cars and SUVs. Among them is the three-row MDX, whose recent overhaul brings lots of goodies. This SUV takes its handsome styling cues from the compact RDX SUV and TLX sedan, and the cabin boasts luxury materials and features worthy of the Acura's premium badge. The base powertrain for this front-driver consists of a 290-hp 3.5-liter V-6 and a 10-speed automatic, and all-wheel drive is available. But select the performance-oriented Type S model and you'll get a turbocharged 355-hp 3.0-liter V-6 and standard all-wheel drive.

What's New for 2022?

Acura redesigned the MDX for 2022, skipping the 2021 model year. The new SUV shares its styling and technology with the recently revamped RDX and TLX models.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

    As driving enthusiasts, we're most intrigued by the Type S for its performance aspirations. But for buyers looking for a nicely equipped luxury crossover without the sporty flair, we'd recommend the Technology trim, which has niceties such as leather upholstery with contrast stitching, adjustable interior ambient lighting, an ELS Studio stereo system with 12 speakers, and low-speed front and rear automated emergency braking.

    Engine, Transmission, and Performance

    The new MDX uses the same 290-hp 3.5-liter V-6 as the outgoing model, but the engine is now mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission instead of a nine-speed. Front-wheel drive remains standard with all-wheel drive available as an option. The outgoing 2020 MDX also offered a hybrid powertrain, but so far Acura has not indicated an intention to hybridize the 2022 MDX. The sporty Type S model is powered by a 355-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 and comes standard with all-wheel drive. Our test drive of an all-wheel drive Advance model with the standard powertrain revealed surprisingly nimble handling and perky acceleration. When we sampled the Type S, we praised it for the same agile feeling on the road and appreciated the extra power, but wondered if that model is worthy of its Type S badging. The Type S is measurably quicker than the standard model, however, and at our test track it needed only 5.5 seconds to reach 60 mph while the less powerful variant required 6.4 seconds.

    2022 acura mdx sh awdView Photos
    Michael Simari|Car and Driver

    Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

    The base MDX boasts EPA fuel-economy ratings of 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway; the Type S is rated for 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, our all-wheel-drive A-Spec test vehicle delivered a disappointing 22 mpg. The Type S model did slightly better and returned a 23 mpg result. For more information about the MDX's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

    Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

    The MDX's cabin has a far more premium look and feel than 2020 model's interior. French-stitched leather covers the dashboard in high-end trims, and open-pore wood mingles with metal and piano-black accents. Acura also outfitted the MDX with plenty of creature comforts, such as dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and leather upholstery. The front seats are supportive and comfortable and can be equipped with niceties such as 16-way power adjustability as well as massage. The first and second rows offer plentiful passenger space, but the MDX's third row is still a kids-only affair. Although the interior is nicely designed and offers plenty of convenience options, it doesn't feel quite as posh as the cabins of rivals such as the Genesis GV80 or the Volvo XC90.

    2022 acura mdx sh awdView Photos
    Michael Simari|Car and Driver

    Infotainment and Connectivity

    The 2022 MDX features a large 12.3-inch infotainment display with a center-console-mounted touchpad controller, which we're sorry to report is somewhat frustrating to use. A 12.3-inch digital reconfigurable gauge display is also standard, as are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, in-dash navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. An ELS Studio stereo system is included on the Technology trim while the A-Spec and Advanced models get a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D setup.

    Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

    Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

    View Crash Test Results

    Acura has been adding more and more standard driver-assistance tech to its cars, and the new MDX provides several desirable features. For more information about the MDX's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

    • Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
    • Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
    • Standard adaptive cruise control

    Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

    The MDX's warranty package matches those of rivals such as the Buick Enclave and the Lexus GX, but both of those brands cover the first maintenance visit while Acura requires the owner to pay out of pocket for that service.

    • Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
    • Powertrain warranty covers six years or 70,000 miles
    • No complimentary scheduled maintenance
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    Specifications

    Specifications

    2022 Acura MDX SH-AWD

    VEHICLE TYPE
    front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door wagon

    PRICE AS TESTED
    $58,625 (base price: $49,925)

    ENGINE TYPE
    SOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
    Displacement
    212 in3, 3471 cm3
    Power
    290 hp @ 6200 rpm
    Torque
    267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm

    TRANSMISSION
    10-speed automatic

    CHASSIS
    Suspension (F/R): control arms/ multilink
    Brakes (F/R): 13.8-in vented disc/13.0-in disc
    Tires: Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S, 255/50R-20 105H M+S

    DIMENSIONS
    Wheelbase: 113.8 in
    Length: 198.4 in
    Width: 78.7 in
    Height: 67.1 in
    Passenger volume: 139 ft3
    Cargo volume: 16 ft3
    Curb weight: 4514 lb

    C/D TEST RESULTS
    60 mph: 6.4 sec
    100 mph: 17.6 sec
    Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.6 sec
    Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.6 sec
    Top gear, 50–70 mph: 5.2 sec
    1/4 mile: 15.1 sec @ 112 mph
    Top speed (governor limited): 112 mph
    Braking, 70–0 mph: 170 ft
    Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.

    C/D FUEL ECONOMY
    Observed: 16 mpg
    75-mph highway driving: 22 mpg
    Highway range: 400 miles

    EPA FUEL ECONOMY
    Combined/city/highway: 21/19/25 mpg

    2022 Acura MDX Type S
    Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door wagon

    PRICE
    Base/As Tested: $67,895/$73,745

    ENGINE
    turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
    Displacement: 183 in3, 2997 cm3
    Power: 355 hp @ 5500 rpm
    Torque: 354 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm

    TRANSMISSION
    10-speed automatic

    CHASSIS
    Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink
    Brakes, F/R: 14.3-in vented disc/13.0-in disc
    Tires: Continental CrossContact RX ContiSeal
    275/40R-21 107H M+S

    DIMENSIONS
    Wheelbase: 113.8 in
    Length: 198.4 in
    Width: 78.7 in
    Height: 67.1 in
    Passenger Volume: 139 ft3
    Cargo Volume: 16 ft3
    Curb Weight: 4712 lb

    C/D TEST RESULTS
    60 mph: 5.5 sec
    100 mph: 14.1 sec
    1/4-Mile: 14.1 sec @ 100 mph
    Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
    Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 5.9 sec
    Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.4 sec
    Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.2 sec
    Top Speed (gov ltd): 111 mph
    Braking, 70–0 mph: 180 ft
    Braking, 100–0 mph: 352 ft
    Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.87 g

    C/D FUEL ECONOMY
    Observed: 17 mpg
    75-mph Highway Driving: 23 mpg
    75-mph Highway Range: 420 mi

    EPA FUEL ECONOMY
    Combined/City/Highway: 19/17/21 mpg

    C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

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