The 2022 Acura MDX is the posh model’s three-row household crossover, and it acquired a whole overhaul for this new technology. It’s Acura’s best-selling mannequin of all time with greater than one million whole gross sales, and for good motive. However, Acura discovered methods to make it even higher. Its new underpinnings enhance issues like trip and dealing with, and the brand new design is engaging, with a sporty exterior and high-quality inside. It’s good for households, with its utility and three rows of seating, however acceptable for fans, too, with a sporty powertrain and an clever “Tremendous Dealing with All-Wheel-Drive” system that gives confidence even when looking for out the twistiest of roads.
For those who’re in search of a luxurious ute that gives one thing somewhat totally different than the remainder of the herd with out sacrificing high quality, utility or efficiency, the 2022 MDX may simply be the crossover you’re in search of.
What’s new for 2022?
For 2022, the Acura MDX has been fully redesigned from the bottom up.
What is the MDX’s inside and in-car know-how like?
The brand new cabin clearly shares visible DNA with the RDX and TLX designs, nevertheless it’s a extra expansive, elevated take that skews extra in the direction of luxurious than sport. Materials high quality additionally sees a big soar upmarket. Certain, a Mercedes-Benz, BMW or Audi will nonetheless outclass the MDX, however Acura isn’t very far behind anymore, and all of the German rivals are considerably dearer. Acura guarantees that should you see a fabric that appears like wooden or steel, it’s real. Fancy LED ambient lighting may be custom-made with tons of various themes. The seats are each fairly (good piping and patterns within the leather-based) and comfy.
Its 12.3-inch infotainment system is loaded with options, and the out there ELS Studio audio system will bump with the most effective of them. The MDX additionally marks Acura’s first utility of a completely digital instrument cluster, and it’s a great one. You’ll be able to select between a pair base layouts for the 12.3-inch display, however these may be modified/custom-made even additional by way of the drive mode dial — every mode has its personal structure. A ten.5-inch head-up show is obtainable with the Advance package deal. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa Wi-Fi hotspot and wi-fi cellphone charging are commonplace on all trims.
How large is the MDX?
The MDX has three rows of seating, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a midsize crossover, which implies that third row is on the small aspect. Nonetheless, Acura has added 2.4 inches of legroom again there, and located a contact extra headroom regardless of elevating the seat backside by 2 inches, making it extra usable than earlier than for teenagers or adults. Its novel second-row seats can sit three-across (seven-person most capability), fold the middle seat down for an enormous heart console, or fully take away the center seat to depart your self with a pair of quasi captain’s chairs.
Cargo area is up over the past technology, with 16.3 cubic ft behind the third row — the identical because the Lexus RX — which is sufficient for a grocery haul. A intelligent storage bin beneath the detachable flooring panel provides extra room for taller objects, or can be utilized to stash occasionally used objects like a primary help package or ice scraper. Cargo quantity expands to 39.1 cubic ft with the third row folded, or 71.4 cubic ft with each rear rows folded flat — handily beating the Lexus RX’s 58.5 cubes, and extra according to the BMW X5’s 72.3.
What are the MDX’s gasoline financial system and efficiency specs?
The only engine supplied within the 2022 MDX is a 3.5-liter V6 producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. In each front- and all-wheel-drive variations, that’s routed to the wheels by way of a 10-speed computerized transmission with sequential paddle shifters. In comparison with the final technology with its nine-speed auto, the 2022 MDX provides much better pull off the road and at low speeds than we had been anticipating. It requires plenty of shifting to get the job finished (you’re on the high of third gear by 60 mph), however Acura efficiently used gearing to make the MDX really feel stronger than the numbers recommend it will be. Plus, it’s above common if you toss it into guide shifting mode, responding eagerly to inputs from the properly formed paddles.
An MDX Kind S with the three.0-liter turbocharged V6 (355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque) is coming in the summertime, so should you want extra energy, we recommend ready. Acura additionally left the door open for a return to hybrid energy on this technology of MDX, however we don’t know any particulars about it or when it is likely to be coming.
Gas financial system for the MDX with front-wheel drive is nineteen miles per gallon metropolis, 26 freeway and 22 mixed. SH-AWD fashions lose 1 mpg in freeway and mixed scores, placing it at 19/25/21 mpg.
The MDX with front-wheel drive is rated to tow 3,500 kilos, whereas the SH-AWD mannequin will get a 5,000-pound tow ranking.
What is the MDX wish to drive?
The 2022 MDX’s trip and dealing with advantages from a considerably stiffer platform with impartial double wishbone suspension. The structural adjustments contribute to a better sense of nimbleness and stability to the chassis you wouldn’t count on in a car its measurement. The boldness it instills in you to maintain attempting to extract extra in corners and push more durable isn’t the norm for this phase. The torque vectoring of the SH-AWD system improves issues much more, a lot in order that we imagine it’s properly well worth the $2,000 improve over a front-drive mannequin, even should you stay someplace that doesn’t expertise winter climate.
Fortunately, Acura hasn’t uncared for trip high quality and value within the title of efficiency. The MDX soaks up poor metropolis streets and unhealthy roads with the most effective of them. It’s remarkably comfy to simply peaceably cruise round in. That V6 is unobtrusive till you step on it, and solely then it makes the typically-satisfying Honda growl. There’s a modicum of wind noise that intrudes at freeway speeds, however the cabin is usually serene.
The brand new brakes with the electrical brake booster system are the one large flaw we discovered, with a imprecise, mushy feeling that doesn’t provide the exact brake really feel we’ve loved in different Acuras, just like the TLX.
What different Acura MDX opinions can I learn?
2022 Acura MDX First Drive Evaluation | Sportier and extra luxurious than ever
Our first outing with the brand new MDX left us completely impressed with the crossover’s design, match, end, materials high quality efficiency and dealing with.
How a lot is the 2022 MDX worth and what options can be found?
The bottom worth is $47,925. That will get you a front-wheel-drive mannequin with 12.3-inch shows for devices and infotainment. A 350-watt, nine-speaker sound system can also be commonplace as is wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wi-fi charging, Amazon Alexa integration, a panoramic sunroof, and the AcuraWatch suite of driver-assistance options. As earlier than, AcuraWatch contains computerized emergency braking, adaptive cruise management and lane-keep help, nevertheless it’s been bolstered for 2021 by rear computerized emergency braking and stop-and-go performance for the adaptive cruise management. All-wheel drive is a $2,000 possibility on the bottom MDX and the MDX with Expertise Package deal, and it is commonplace on the A-Spec and Advance Package deal fashions. Base costs for all MDX fashions are listed under. You could find a full breakdown of the opposite trims’ additional options, plus specs and native pricing right here on Autoblog.
- MDX: $47,925
- MDX Expertise Package deal: $52,625
- MDX A-Spec: $58,125
- MDX Advance Package deal: $61,675
What are the MDX’s security scores and driver help options?
Along with the issues like airbags and seatbelts, commonplace security tools on the 2022 Acura MDX contains ahead collision warning and computerized emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping help, highway departure mitigation, site visitors signal recognition, blind-spot warning, parking cameras, rear-cross site visitors alert and computerized excessive beams. Additionally out there are a surround-view parking digital camera, entrance and rear parking sensors, and low pace braking management.
The 2022 MDX receives the highest security scores from each main third-party crash-testing group. It receives 5 (out of 5) stars general from the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration, receiving 5 stars in every varied division besides rollover crashes, for which it earned 4 stars. It earns an Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security ranking of High Security Choose+, incomes the best “Good” ranking in every kind of crash take a look at, in addition to high headlight, crash avoidance and LATCH ease-of-use scores.