2022 Acura MDX A-Spec Review: On Its A Game

Imma allow you to end, however the Acura MDX is the best-selling premium three-row crossover of all time. Granted, the MDX can also be one of many oldest premium three-rows in America – arriving stateside in 2001. However that does not change the very fact the MDX’s successful components has made it successful amongst consumers for the previous 20 years, and that will not change anytime quickly.

The 2022 Acura MDX takes the sharp appears to be like, clean demeanor, and inexpensive pricing of its predecessor and packages all of it a bit higher. The brand new familial face and “Diamond Pentagon” grille marks an enormous enchancment over its predecessor’s ungainly beak, the sporty A-Spec package deal (like on our tester) provides extra complete upgrades, and the totally modernized inside with the model’s TrueTouchpad interface brings the MDX updated with its extra upscale rivals. This new MDX is a large enchancment.

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Acura’s new design language – first seen on the RDX and TLX – matches the bigger MDX exceptionally properly. Merely put, this is likely one of the best-looking three-rows on sale as we speak. The daring entrance finish wears the model’s signature grille and slim LED headlights, whereas black dot the physique courtesy of the fashionable A-Spec package deal (a $3,500 choice). The refinished rear sports activities smooth LED taillights and trapezoidal exhaust suggestions, and the 20-inch Shark Gray wheels are unique to this trim (and possibly our favourite of all seven out there wheel choices).

The inside is eye-catching, too. The A-Spec–unique pink leather-based and fake suede black accents make the cabin really feel shiny and daring, whereas actual brushed aluminum accents dot the door panels. The sprint format is generally clear – with an extended 12.3-inch display screen perched atop it. There’s a little bit of muddle relating to issues just like the local weather management buttons and placement of the amount knob, and the piano black trim on the sprint is not our favourite – it attracts fingerprints like a magnet. Different variations of the MDX provide matte wooden accents that we might a lot desire. At any charge, the within of the MDX continues to be a really good place to be.

The leather-based buckets within the MDX are super-cushy, with normal 12-way energy adjustability, and the A-Spec package deal consists of each heating and air flow features. The entrance seats aren’t as form-fitting as you would possibly discover in options just like the Audi Q7 or Cadillac XT6, however their La-Z-Boy qualities make them good vessels for toiling away hours of freeway driving. The second row isn’t as comfy comparatively – the bench is a bit stiff – but it surely does rework into two captain’s chairs just by eradicating the center seating place.

This new MDX is barely longer than its predecessor, with 139.1 cubic ft of whole passenger quantity – 6.4 extra cubes than the earlier mannequin. And this crossover does really feel spacious and ethereal within the first row, affording driver and passenger a stable 38.5 inches of entrance headroom and 41.6 inches of entrance legroom. These aren’t best-in-class figures for headroom, to be honest – the Infiniti QX60 (40.7 inches), Audi Q7 (39.9 inches), and even the Cadillac XT6 (39.8 inches) are barely higher in that respect – however the MDX’s legroom determine is healthier than Cadillac’s and equal to Audi’s.

The second row feels a bit tighter, although not offensively so. However the MDX’s 38.1 inches of headroom and 38.5 inches of legroom are on the decrease finish for the category. Entry to the third row is comparatively simple not less than, even with the second-row bench in place. A one-touch button folds the seat ahead, opening up a slim entryway for entry to the rearmost row. And as soon as there, the third row provides a modest 36.2 inches of headroom and 29.1 inches of legroom – respectable, if not barely below-average figures for the category. However like many mid-size crossovers with a 3rd row, this is not a spot you wish to put average-sized adults over lengthy distances.

Behind the MDX’s third row is 16.3 cubic ft of cargo area, an enchancment of 1.5 cubes over the earlier mannequin, or 18.1 cubes with the reconfigurable cargo flooring in its lowest place. With the third row folded flat, the MDX has 39.1 cubic ft, and with all seats flat, the Acura provides 71.4 cubes. That is higher than what you get on the Q7, however down barely on the QX60 and XT6.

In relation to tech, the MDX’s tech is that TrueTouchpad interface is the star. A carryover from the RDX and TLX, putting your finger in a selected location on the sq. infotainment touchpad controller highlights a corresponding choice on the 12.3-inch display screen. If an icon is within the prime proper of the display screen, for instance, merely place your finger on the highest proper of the touchpad controller to activate it. The setup definitely takes a while to get used to, however as soon as you work it out, it is one of many higher choices on the market at present.

Sadly, whereas wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come normal – and join faultlessly – the identical touchpad performance would not carry over. Now not can you choose an choice by merely putting your finger in the identical place as the choice on the display screen. As an alternative, you now have to make use of the touchpad as you would possibly the trackpad in your laptop computer, which makes it harder whereas driving. This is not an Acura downside a lot as it’s an Apple or Android subject, however it’s considerably irritating. A standard touchscreen can be simpler to make use of.

That stated, the finicky smartphone interface is de facto the one subject we’ve with the entire setup. The $4,700 Know-how package deal (normal on the A-Spec) provides superior options like ambient lighting, Wi-Fi connectivity, navigation with a 3D view, CabinTalk – which initiatives the driving force’s voice into the third row – and an ELS Studio 3D Premium 16-speaker sound system that is probably the greatest within the enterprise.

To be trustworthy, the MDX is not our favourite three-row to fling right into a nook. The Tremendous Dealing with All-Wheel-Drive system (normal on the A-Spec) offers the crossover stable grip and good torque vectoring – capable of ship as much as 70 p.c of energy to the rear axle – plus it helps remove understeer. However solely while you actually push it, be it on a freeway onramp or canyon highway, does the SH-AWD system really feel prefer it’s doing any work.

Physique roll within the MDX continues to be very noticeable, extra so than what you would possibly discover on options just like the Q7 and XT6. We must always observe that each of these fashions have out there lively anti-roll bars whereas the MDX doesn’t (not less than, not but). And the Acura’s steering is manner too overboosted and light-weight, even in Sport mode.

The three.5-liter V6 is a high quality unit. It carries over from final 12 months unchanged, able to 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet, however now the engine will get a faster, crisper 10-speed automated that we fairly like. The ten-speed clicks by gears rapidly and with out hesitation. However the MDX is not our definition of quick; the 4,534-pound crossover takes a while getting off the road and in control. Additionally, the throttle response is manner delayed – it takes a second for the engine to reply while you put your foot down.

The posh model’s superior AcuraWatch security suite comes normal throughout the board. Each model of the 2022 MDX will get a forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keep help, adaptive cruise management with cease and go, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and road-sign recognition. This is likely one of the few three-rows within the class to supply all of that gear at no further price.

Throughout our take a look at, all of Acura’s lively security options labored properly on the highway. Adaptive cruise management with an adjustable distance indicator does a fantastic job of monitoring autos forward of it and adjusting velocity accordingly. Braking is clean, too, all the way in which all the way down to zero mph. And the lane-centering tech does a fantastic job of protecting the MDX completely centered within the lane.

The one factor we’d observe is that adaptive cruise with steering help, when lively, offers off a “steering enter wanted” warning too typically when palms are in truth on the wheel. If forces you to wiggle the steering aggressively in order that it is aware of you’re not fully hands-off. Additionally, the system does get confused at intersections – providing steering inputs when it shouldn’t – however that’s not an issue that’s unique to the MDX.

The Acura MDX with SH-AWD achieves 19 miles per gallon metropolis, 25 freeway, and 21 mixed, that are stable figures for the category. The all-wheel-drive Infiniti QX60 is extra environment friendly, returning 22 mpg mixed, as is the XC90 at 23 mixed. The Acura matches the Audi Q7 (21 mixed) and beats the Cadillac XT6 (20 mixed), which places the MDX on the higher finish of the spectrum.

For a base front-wheel-drive 2022 Acura MDX with no choices, it’s going to price you $46,900. In comparison with the Audi Q7 ($54,950) and Cadillac XT6 ($51,540), the MDX is extraordinarily inexpensive. Solely the Infiniti QX60 is cheaper, beginning at $44,350 for 2021. Including the A-Spec package deal is $3,500 on prime of the bottom MDX, and it forces you into the Know-how package deal ($4,700) and SH-AWD ($2,000). All informed, the most cost effective entry level into an MDX A-Spec is $57,100 – and with Platinum White Pearl paint ($500), our automotive prices $58,625 after vacation spot charges.

Even with that improve, the MDX with the A-Spec package deal is well-priced, all issues thought-about. The QX60 continues to be the budget-minded choice of the bunch, with none of its trims hitting $50,000 to start out. However an equal Q7 Premium Plus with all-wheel drive is available in at $57,200 and an XT6 Sport with all-wheel drive prices $58,190 earlier than choices.