Acura · 2000–present

Acura MDX

The Acura MDX is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV with three-row seating produced by the Japanese automaker Honda under its luxury Acura division since 2000. The alphanumeric moniker stands for "Multi-Dimensional" luxury. It has ranked as the second-best selling mid-size luxury SUV after the Lexus RX in the U.S. The MDX was introduced on October 5, 2000 as a 2001 model, replacing the slow-selling U.S.-only body-on-frame SLX, based on the Isuzu Trooper. In Japan, it was made to replace the Honda Horizon (also based on the Trooper) which was discontinued in 1999. In 2003, the vehicle went on sale in Japan and Australia as the Honda MDX; sales with Honda badges ended with the introduction of the second generation three years later.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Isuzu Trooper

All Acura MDX data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

First generation (YD1; 2001)

Derived from Honda's Global mid-size platform which underpins cars like the Honda Accord, Acura TL, TSX and Odyssey, it is powered by a J35A3 3.5 L SOHC 24 valve V6 gasoline engine with VTEC. Curb weight is 4,451 lb (2,019 kg), with a 106.3 in (2,700 mm) wheelbase and 8 in (200 mm) of ground clearance. The cargo floor can flip up to provide two additional seats. The vehicle is designed to hold 7 passengers, but the third row seats are small and only seat two, in contrast to the Odyssey and Pilot whose third row holds three passengers. The vehicle features an automatic four wheel drive system (named VTM-4) that engages during off the line acceleration as well as when wheel slippage is detected. Additionally, the system offers a lock mode which can be activated and operated at low speeds and provides permanent 4WD and the equivalent of a locked rear differential; designed for climbing steep hills and getting out of stuck situations. To reduce drivetrain noise and increase fuel efficiency, the system runs as front wheel drive during normal cruising. The VTM-4 AWD system in the MDX has the same design as the VTM-4 systems found in the Honda Pilot and Honda Ridgeline. It is different than Honda's "RealTime AWD" system in the Honda CR-V and other models in that it can lock and it attempts to predict when traction will be lost and apply power to all four wheels before slippage occurs (by monitoring throttle inputs). The navigation system and DVD entertainment system (also popular on other Honda/Acura models, such as the CR-V and Odyssey) options were mutually exclusive in the 2002 model. Both could be ordered at the same time since the 2003 model. The navigation option comes with a backup camera since the 2003 model. Since 2005, the navigation system featured information from

Second generation (YD2; 2007)

On April 11, 2006, Acura unveiled the 2007 Acura MD-X Concept during the New York International Auto Show, showing to the public an indication about the exterior styling of the upcoming completely redesigned MDX. The second-generation MDX was release in the U.S. on October 17, 2006, for the 2007 model year. The second generation model's body has a wider track and longer wheelbase than the previous MDX. There is less visibility to the rear compared to the prior generation, however an available backup camera compensates for this. The redesigned Acura MDX's unit-body was engineered with Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure designed to absorb energy from a collision. The suspension was tuned at Germany's Nürburgring race track. The engine was upgraded to a 3.7-liter (3664 cc) V6 gasoline engine tuned to 300 hp (224 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 270 lb⋅ft (366 N⋅m) of torque at 5,000 rpm. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and is estimated by the EPA to consume 16 miles per US gallon (15 L/100 km; 19 mpg‑imp) in the city and 21 miles per US gallon (11 L/100 km; 25 mpg‑imp) on the highway. It is one of the most powerful engines Honda has produced to date. The MDX is able to tow 5,000 lb (2,300 kg). The "VTM-4" all-wheel drive system on the previous generation was replaced by the new SH-AWD "Super Handling All-Wheel Drive" previously debuted on the 2005 Acura RL. This AWD system is one of the most advanced in its class, featuring an active rear differential often found on high performance cars, which somewhat mitigates the nose-heaviness of the MDX's traverse engine platform so it can dynamically compete with the longitudinal engine layout crossover SUVs. The latter types of vehicles, such as the BMW X5 or Audi Q5, have a more balanced 50/50 front

Third generation (YD3/4/7; 2014)

The 2014 MDX Prototype was unveiled at the 2013 North American International Auto Show, the production version was revealed at the New York Auto Show. Production began on May 2, 2013; vehicle assembly shifted from Ontario, Canada to Lincoln, Alabama. US sales began on June 20, 2013, for the 2014 model year The MDX is powered by a 3.5-liter direct injected Earth Dreams V6 gasoline engine with Variable Cylinder Management. A front-wheel drive (FWD) model is available for the first time, in Canada all-wheel drive remains the only configuration offered. EPA-estimated fuel economy is improved with all-wheel drive (SH-AWD) models rated at 18 mpg‑US (13 L/100 km; 22 mpg‑imp)/27 mpg‑US (8.7 L/100 km; 32 mpg‑imp)/21 mpg‑US (11 L/100 km; 25 mpg‑imp) (city/highway/combined) and FWD models rated at 20 mpg‑US (12 L/100 km; 24 mpg‑imp)/28 mpg‑US (8.4 L/100 km; 34 mpg‑imp)/23 mpg‑US (10 L/100 km; 28 mpg‑imp) (city/highway/combined). The headlights are Acura's Jewel Eye LED Headlights (first introduced on the RLX). Each headlamp uses five separate LED sources with three used for low-beam lighting and two for high-beam lighting. LED bumper mounted fog lamps are offered as a dealer installed option. The interior reduced button clutter by adding a 7-inch touchscreen with haptic feedback, an additional 8-inch screen is also standard. To reduce interior noise an acoustic (PVB layered) windshield, acoustic front door glass and thicker rear glass are used as well as triple sealed door openings. Advance package models include further noise reduction using a thicker carpet base layer and front fender liners. The seating H-point has been reduced. According to Acura the exterior is more aerodynamic reducing drag by 16% with the new model lapping Nürburgring 8 seconds faster than its predecessor.

Fourth generation (YD8/9/YE1; 2022)

Skipping the 2021 model year, the fourth-generation MDX was revealed as a prototype on October 14, 2020, virtually revealed on December 8, went into bulk production on January 12, 2021, for the 2022 model year, and went on sale on February 2, with the Type-S trim released on December 23. The MDX became the flagship model of the Acura marque following the discontinuation of the RLX mid-size luxury sedan in June 2020. The exterior includes the standard panoramic sunroof, either 19 or 20-inch alloy rims, a tailgate similar to the 2019 RDX, headlights and taillights similar to the second-generation TLX, a differently styled grille emblem, nine exterior and seven interior colors. For the Type-S trim, a yellow color, called Tiger Eye will also be available. The improved interior includes a 12.3-inch infotainment system and the Acura's first 12-inch digital full TFT instrument cluster, touch pad, 16-way power front seats with 3-memory positions, removable center second row seat, a removable double sided trunk floor with carpet and plastic, and more legroom and headroom compared to the third generation MDX. The MDX also features an optional audio system with 16-speakers including four roof-mounted speakers and a foot sensor for Hands Free Access power tailgate release and closure when the key fob is nearby. A redesigned key fob that is shaped like a convex irregular polygon is included. Powertrains are improved, with the existing 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine paired with a 10-speed transmission available for four trims; base, technology package, A-Spec, and advance package. While the all-wheel-drive (AWD) is optional on the base and technology trims, it is standard on A-Spec and advance trims. The Type-S trim model will get a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 gasoline engine and front b

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Acura MDX

Manufacturer

Honda

Production

2000–present

Model years

2001–2020, 2022–present

Class

Mid-size luxury crossover SUV

Body style

5-door SUV

Predecessor

Acura SLX

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1422815CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acura_MDXCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1368187829 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DSC08205_(52803366909).jpgCC BY 2.0 · Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — https://web.archive.org/web/20141123173735/http://www.acura.com/MDXLanding.aspx?model=MDX#~pGnQ71h6cvdD2NLink only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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