The 2018 Acura MDX REVIEW
Channel: Premium Cars
Date: 2017-12-19

The 2018 Acura MDX is a seven- or eight-seat crossover SUV that can’t be missed for well-heeled families.

It hits in all the right places: superlative safety, standout comfort, and a relatively fuel-efficient hybrid model offered at a tempting price.

Its overall rating of 7.5 on our scale reflects its nearly perfect safety scorecard and three rows of seating suitable for adults. If we’re nitpicking, its conservative style keeps it hidden in plain sight, and pricey extras can inflate the bottom line well beyond its $45,175 entry price.

The biggest change for this year is a new 7.0-inch lower touchscreen that Acura says is more responsive than the outgoing model, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

The MDX is still offered as a single model, with Advance or Technology packages effectively acting as trim levels. All-wheel drive, which Acura calls “Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive” is available at every stop for $2,000 more.

Last year, the MDX Sport Hybrid model was added to the lineup that adds standard all-wheel drive and a relatively unique electric motor setup that improves fuel economy and handling. Last year, those models added $1,500 to the bottom line when compared apples-to-apples with similarly equipped MDX SH-AWD versions. It’s a compelling value proposition, although Acura hasn’t yet detailed pricing for that model in 2018. We’ll report back when they do.

Without extra batteries, the MDX makes 290 horsepower and is mated to a 9-speed automatic. Its ride is sublime, and its unique all-wheel drive system should be considered for cold-weather buyers.

The MDX Sport Hybrid mates the same (but detuned) engine to a pair of electric motors that power the rear wheels only. It’s a clever system cribbed from Acura’s NSX supercar and RLX hybrid model.

We like all of the above, and place the MDX near the top of our list for luxury crossovers.

The 2018 Acura MDX stands pat after a redesign last year—that’s a good thing.

Its exterior curves and features help shrink the prolific size of the MDX, and looks closer to a wagon in our eyes than an upright SUV.

We give the MDX points above average for a good interior and exterior moves. It earns a 7. 

Last year’s redesign smoothed over the corporate “beak” (or perhaps you saw bottle opener?) that plagued Acura design for years. The new MDX hasn’t changed much else since 2014, when it was completely overhauled.

Reshaped bumpers and fenders last year helped align the MDX with its sharp LED headlight array, and better fit into the Acura stable. We think Acura has smoother moves on the horizon, but for now, the MDX looks just fine—even a little sporty.

Inside, the interior reads a little technophile with a push-button shifter and dual infotainment screens. It manages to miss the redundancy that other cars with dual screens fall victim to, but we still think one is enough.

The rest of the interior is plain and relatively straightforward, mostly missing overly complicated interior themes. Optional wood grains can add a touch of elegance to the mix without too much clutter.

The 2018 Acura MDX performs very well for its class, which is to say that ride and comfort come before outright performance. The Acura MDX Sport Hybrid is intriguing for many reasons, but we suspect that more buyers will pick the traditional powertrain.

We give the MDX a point above average for a glassy ride—even on optional 20-inch tires. It earns a 6 out of 10.

Most versions of the MDX will be powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 that makes 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The engine has been tuned to produce more tug at lower speeds, which helps in stop-and-go daily slogs. The MDX is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds with a trailer attached, enough for most small weekend toys.

A 9-speed automatic is standard on all models, and all-wheel drive is available with every trim level. It’s a competent transmission, but not without its faults we’ve found. The 9-speed can get confused with so many cogs available at its disposal—entering an interstate can induce momentary indecision. Toggling the transmission into “Sport” mode seems wholly unnecessary for a vehicle as large as the MDX, but opens one option: drivers can opt to select their own gears with the paddle shifters in a true “manual” mode. Lug or blitz the engine all you want, Acura presupposes a level of sophistication with its drivers that we clearly don’t meet.

The MDX benefits from special shocks that smother road imperfections. Like other tall crossovers, there’s a hint of body lean in the MDX around corners, but head toss is negligible to imperceptible in most cases.

The MDX rides on standard 18s, but opting for either Technology or Advance packages subs 20-inch wheels on each corner. They don’t ruin ride quality, even with less sidewall, and fill the wheel arches fairly well.

Although the Sport Hybrid and all-wheel drive models share similar concepts, the two systems are mechanically different.