2020 Acura MDX

The motivating power comes from a silky smooth and effortlessly powerful 3.5 L V6 (or a 3.0 L V6 and three electric motors in hybrid. That power is shuffled to the front wheel or all four wheels (with SH-AWD) via an equally smooth (but sometimes confused) 9-speed automatic. EPA fuel economy rating is average among competition but better than average in real-world usage.

Speaking of the rivals of the MDX, SUVs like the Cadillac XT5, Lexus RX 350 and the Buick Enclave take a direct shot at the MDX. However, it’s the Buick and the Acura that seats 7 while the rest can seat only 5.

The MDX is powered a 3.5L V6 engine as standard throughout the trim line. All the trims are available in both FWD and AWD configuration. There are a total of five trims offered on the Acura MDX. A host of safety features which were not present on the base model earlier now come as standard on the Base trim. Then, there is the Technology package that comes with a price tag of $49,460.

Finally, comes the range-topping trim called the Advance package which is priced at $54,500. A lot of creature comforts and riding aids such as auto engine start-stop, sport seats, and rear parking sensors make their way to the top trim.

Trims	Standard	Technology Package	A-Spec Package	Advance Package	Entertainment Package
MSRP (FWD)	$44,500	$49,500	-	$56,250	-
MSRP (AWD)	$46,500	$51,500	$55,000	$58,250	$60,250 (w/Advance Package) $53,400 (w/Technology Package)
Key Features	Remote Linked Power Operated Tailgate	Adds/Upgrades to Standard	Adds/Upgrades to Technology Package	Adds/Upgrades to A-Spec Package	Adds/Upgrades to Advance Package
	Power Moon Roof	Rear Doors Smart Key Entry	Leather Wrapped A-Spec Steering Wheel	Surround View Camera System with Head Up Warning	Heated Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
	Auto On/Off Jewel Eye LED Headlights with Wipers	Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers	Stainless Steel Sport Pedals	2 USB Charging Ports in 3rd Row	110V Power Outlet
	LED Taillights	LED Puddle Lights	LED Fog Lights	Roof Rails	2 Wireless Headphones
	Heated ORVM's with LED Turn Signals	Power-Folding ORVM's	Ebony Headliner	Auto-Dimming ORVM's	16.2" Full VGA Screen with HDMI Compatibility for Rear Seats
	Sport Seats with Leather-Trimmed Interiors	Perforated Premium Leather-Trimmed Interiors with Contrast Stitching	Perforated Milano Premium Leather and Alcantara Trimmed interiors	Perforated Milano Leather-Trimmed Interior with Contrast Stitching
	Front 12 Way Power Adjust Seats	Heated Front Seats	Heated and Ventilated Front Seats	Heated Outboard Rear Seats
	Tri-Zone Auto Climate Control	GPS Linked Climate Control	Metallic Pattern and Metal Trim on Center Console	Sliding Tray in the Rear Seats

We Recommend

The Technology package trim seems to hit the sweet spot amongst all other trims for us. It is not overly expensive and adds much more features over the base model. Several advanced safety features like remote engine start, navigation system and many more like these also make their way in this trim.

The standard engine is a 3.5 L naturally aspirated V6 developing 290 hp at 6200 rpm and 267 pounds-feet of torque at 4700 rpm. It delivers the power in a creamy fashion staying whisper quiet during regular driving. When you give it some gas, it emits a refined and purposeful sound.

The engine is mated to a smooth-shifting 9-Speed automatic. However, the transmission is slow to shift in certain situations, especially in situations where you demand light accelerations. The transmission is apparently confused whether to stay in same gear or downshift.

Models	Acura MDX	Cadillac XT5	Buick Enclave Preferred	Lexus RX 350
MSRP	$44,500	$42,690	$41,195	$44,845
Engine	3.5L Naturally Aspirated V6	3.6L Naturally Aspirated V6	3.6L Naturally Aspirated V6	3.5L Naturally Aspirated V6
Transmission	9 Speed automatic	8 Speed automatic	9 Speed Automatic	8 Speed Automatic
Horsepower(hp)	290@ 6200rpm	310@ 6700rpm	310@6800rpm	295@6300rpm
Torque(lbs.-ft.)	267@ 4700rpm	271@ 5000rpm	266@2800rpm	268@4700rpm

In comparison to its rivals, the MDX is the least powered vehicle in the segment with a power output of 290 hp. Cadillac and the Buick, come with satisfying power figures but it's the Caddy, that takes the edge due to higher torque numbers. The Lexus lingers behind the Cadillac in terms of dynamism but manages to fare better than the Acura.

Acceleration

As soon as the throttle gets smashed against the floor, the MDX offers an acceleration which displays how capable and energetic the motor is. 

Although crossovers rarely display sportiness in their character the MDX is a breath of fresh air with its spirited off the line performance. The SUV hits 60 mph mark in 6.6seconds but still stands at third place.   

Models	Acura MDX	Cadillac XT5	Buick Enclave Preferred	Lexus RX 350
0-60 MPH	6.6 sec	6.6 sec	6.5 sec	7.4 sec
Quarter mile	15.2 sec	15.1 sec	15.1 sec	15.1 sec
Engine	3.5L Naturally Aspirated V6	3.6L Naturally Aspirated V6	3.6L Naturally Aspirated V6	3.5L Naturally Aspirated V6
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	7.7	8.0	8.4	7.7

Acura MDX is slower than rivals that come equipped with a more powerful engine. All of the rivals sprint to 60 mph in similar time while the Lexus falls behind the crowd in this regard.

Ride and Handling

The ride and handling are the perhaps the best parts of the Acura MDX SUV. The drive is amazingly sporty for a vehicle of its size. The direction shifts are snappy and the overall feel to the steering feels delightfully natural and will go on to please the enthusiast in everyone. The Acura does not offer the fancy air suspension offered by the considerably more expensive competitors. However, its ride quality is supple within the city and on the highway.

But the Acura really impresses with its handling. Although the standard FWD is pretty fun, it’s the “All-Wheel Drive” that makes you question whether you are driving a large three-row SUV. The SH-AWD is a unique mechanical torque vectoring system. When you enter a corner, the SH-AWD sends a large portion of available torque to outside wheels making the car turn sharper. The net result is an SUV that drives better than many sedans.

Braking 

Brakes on the 2020 Acura MDX feature a 12.6-inch rotor on the front and a 13.0-inch rotor on the rear. The brake response is immediate courtesy of the accurate and precise brake pedals. The car never feels out of control even during emergency braking.

You will also experience brake fade after repeated use. The brake pedal seems light and the application is simple due to the expected modulation.

Model	Acura MDX	Cadillac XT5*	Buick Enclave Preferred*	Lexus RX 350*
Brake Front (in.)	12.6	13.6	N/A	12.9
Brake Rear (in.)	13	12.4	N/A	13.3
Curb Weight (lbs.)	4032	3985	4359	4222
60-0 MPH (ft.)	131	116	134	123

The torque-vectoring AWD mode is quite remarkable. It overcomes under-steer and enables this big SUV to stick around corners when you literally push it. In most circumstances, the MDX lacks the sportiness like a regular sporty SUV, but it sure works on the handling part.

This is where the Acura MDX shines and also proves that having a luxury SUV does not equate to a hole in your personal balance sheet. With 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway and combined EPA rating of 23 mpg, it stays consistent in its value for money proposition through years of ownership. 

Model	Acura MDX	Cadillac XT5	Buick Enclave Preferred	Lexus RX 350
MPG (city)	20	19	18	20
MPG (highway)	27	26	26	27
MPG (combined)	23	22	21	23
Fuel Tank Capacity (Gallons)	19.5	19.4	19.4	19.2
Range (City/Hwy)	390/527 miles	369/504 miles	349/504 miles	384/518 miles

In comparison to its rivals, the Acura MDX offers a similar level of fuel efficiency and thus stands shoulder to shoulder with them in the competition. The Cadillac comes in next and the comparison is rounded-off by the Buick Enclave that delivers the least MPG figure.

The Acura MDX SUV offers comfy seating for up to 7 occupants. With legroom of 41.4 inches in the front, there is enough space to stretch and relax. On the top-end variants, the leather draped seats along with ventilation and heating add a whole new dimension to the comfort levels in the vehicle. The same can be said for the rear seats as well as they offer a roomy and comfortable atmosphere and thus makes the occupants feel at home.

The Acura MDX can end your longing for luxury with its sumptuous leather and gorgeous wood trims. The optional entertainment package takes care of rear passenger with a headrest-mounted 9-inch full VGA screen, 11 speakers, rear door sunshades and more. The advance package gets you perforated leather seats and natural wood inserts. Equipment includes a heated steering wheel and LED fog lamps.

Model	Acura MDX	Cadillac XT5	Buick Enclave Preferred	Lexus RX 350
Passenger capacity	7	5	7	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.1/61.1/41.4	38.4/58.3/36.0	41.0/62.4/41.2	39.4/57.8/44.1
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.3/59.1/36.6	36.0/56.2/39.5	39.9/61.7/38.9	39.1/57.6/38.0

The Buick and Acura have a clear preference in seating capacity, as they provide room for seven. Buick grants maximum space for travellers on the inside and is then tailgated by the Lexus. The Acura doesn't fall behind by a big margin against these and offers a respectable amount of space for all the passengers. Cadillac and Lexus can only accommodate five passengers.

Interior Features

• Leather-Trimmed Interiors
• Front 12 Way Power Adjust Seats with Power Lumbar Support
• Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
• Heated Rear Outboard Seats
• 40/40 Split-folding second-row seats
• Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control with Humidity Control and GPS Linking
• Keyless Access with Push Button Start
• Auto-Dimming Frameless Rearview Mirror
• Power Windows with Auto-Up/Down, Auto Reverse and Key-Off operation
• Heated and Leather Wrapped Electronic Tilt/Telescopic Adjust the steering wheel
• Ambient Cabin Lighting and Active Sound Control

 Infotainment System 

The Acura MDX sports a dual-screen setup with one of them mounted to the dashtop and another one inside the centre console. There is a huge room for improvement in this department as the entire MMI is infuriatingly downmarket. The response times are something that you’ll just have to live by while the rivals like the Audi Q7 offers a lot more advanced and user-friendly interface.

The highlight here is that the  Acura MDX gets Android Auto and Apple Carplay with an 8-inch touchscreen – at last. Elsewhere, the infotainment system is well sorted and the screen has an intuitive interface and crisp response. 

• Voice Recognition/Siri with Bluetooth hands-free
• 10 Speaker ELS Audio System
• USB Charging Ports and Media Connectivity ports
• SiriusXM/HD Radio with Bluetooth and AUX connectivity
• 8" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Navigation
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Cargo Capacity

The Acura MDX has 15 cubic feet of storage space, it’s still sufficient and nothing you can’t live with. The same story continues as the seats are folded. 

Folding third-row liberates 38 cubic feet and you get 72 cubic feet of space after folding the second row. The Audi Q7 however, offers cavernous storage with the second row folded – 86 cubic feet. 

Model	Acura MDX	Cadillac XT5	Buick Enclave Preferred	Lexus RX 350
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	15.0	30.0	23.6	18.4

The Cadillac XT5 benefits on its 5 seat configuration by giving the most cargo space in the equation. The Buick becomes in second in this regard and is accompanied by the Lexus, that despite being a 5 seater, offers an insignificant 18.4 cubic feet of space.

The Acura MDX has an air of Japanese flair in the design. While the European competitors – Q7 and XC90 are suave, the Acura gets creases everywhere. The LED headlights are especially distinctive. The most welcome change that the beak-like chrome strip is replaced with a diamond-pattern in the radiator grille. Overall, the length does look like it’s made to accommodate 7 peoples.

The Acura MDX is shorter than the Europeans – it hints at its in-town manoeuvrability. It weighs lowest among the competitors at just over 4000 pounds. Just like its grand and luxurious interiors, the exteriors of the 2020 MDX looks well sculpted and elegant and offers the car a masculine look.

Model	Acura MDX	Cadillac XT5	Buick Enclave Preferred	Lexus RX 350
Curb weight (lbs.)	4032	3985	4359	4222
Length(in)	196.2	189.5	204.3	192.5
Width(in)	77.7	75.0	78.8	74.6
Height(in)	67.4	66.0	69.9	67.7
Ground clearance (in)	7.3	7.8	7.7	8.2
Wheelbase (in)	111.0	112.5	120.9	109.8

Speaking of the Lexus' dimensions, you will find it around the Buick Enclave and the Lexus RX. That indicates you do have ample scope for passengers on the inside while holding the ease of manoeuvrability.We do still feel that Acura could have attached a bit more ground clearance to the MDX, to add to it's SUV persona.

Exterior Features

 Some of the few highlights include :

• Jewel Eye Headlights with Auto On/Off Function
• 20" Alloy Wheels
• Powered Moon Roof
• Remote Linked Power Operated Tail Gate
• Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers
• LED Puddle Lights, Fog Lights, Taillights and Puddle Lights
• Auto-Dimming, Heated and Powered ORVM's with Integrated LED Turn Signals
• Roof Rails

The Acura MDX suite of safety features is enough to put even the pricier vehicles to shame. There is a comprehensive list of both active and passive safety features to keep the occupants safe. Moreover, the car has been allotted 5-star safety rating in almost all the segments when tested by major crash-testing agencies. Safety and reliability are never going to be a concern for the Acura MDX.

Safety Features

• Driver, Passenger, Front and Rear Head, Front Side Airbags
• 4-Wheel ABS
• 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
• Brake Assist
• Electronic Stability Control
• Daytime Running Lights
• Child Safety Locks
• Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors
• Traction Control
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Keeping Assist

Acura MDX VS Cadillac XT5

The Cadillac XT5 offers everything, what an American requires from it. It's roomy on the Inside, is incredible to look at and gives loads of highlights on the inside. However, the Cadillac allows seating for only 5 bodies and isn't precisely as well-formulated as the Acura. The Cadillac seems luxurious on the inside but a close inspection of the same and you will find discrepancies, all around the cabin.

The Acura gives enormous value in terms of everyday driving capabilities and retrieves a  greater resale value than the Caddy as well. If features is what you are all about, the Caddy will befit your bill well but if you want to go with a practical package, you should opt for the Acura.

Acura MDX VS Lexus RX 350

The Lexus is the most alike to Acura in terms of dynamics, looks, and intention. There isn't much differentiation among the 2 in terms of pricing and performance and are alike there as well. However, while the Lexus seats only 5 people, the Acura boasts of accommodation for 7.

The Lexus appears a tad more premium on the inside and is sure to turn heads with its looks. You can't go wrong while taking one of these 2 SUV's but if you had a bigger focus on practicality, the Acura would be the best decision for you then.

With the introduction of the new MDX, Acura offers a vehicle that gives the masses a great alternative to the German competitors and comes with enough pedigree to dethrone them. The vehicle is charming from both the inside and the outside. Seating for 7 people makes it a great family vehicle and even the utility part is definitely there.

All in all, if you’re looking for a multipurpose family SUV, then the 2020 Acura MDX stands as a great car to go with.