2019 ACURA MDX Sport Hybrid Specs, interior, Design review | 3 Row Luxury SUV | cargurus |
Channel: Cargurus Car videos
Date: 2018-12-25

2019 MDX ACURA Specs, interior, Design review | 3 Row Luxury SUV
新款2019 MDX.  MDX is Acura's bread and butter. The crossover leads three-row premium crossover sales, and for 2019, an A-Spec model joins the regular MDX and MDX Sport Hybrid models. Some automakers create sport trims that add little beyond a spoiler, wheels, and badging. Is this the case here, or does the A-Spec package actually up the MDX's fun factor?

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Acura has A-Specced most of its lineup and isn't forgetting the MDX. As cool as A-Spec sounds, it doesn't add any horsepower or suspension upgrades. Instead, the attractive package includes features that make it stand out from the rest of the lineup such as exclusive half-inch-wider 20-inch gray aluminum wheels with lower-profile 265/45 tires, a unique front fascia, body-color rocker panels, larger exhaust tips (which aren't fake), and gloss black and dark chrome exterior trim. Usually, I loathe white crossovers, but with the MDX A-Spec's dark wheels and sporty front fascia, the color looked good.

Inside, the seats are wrapped in perforated red or black leather with black Alcantara inserts and contrast stitching. I'd opt for the red leather our tester has; it looks much sportier and pops against the black Alcantara. Interior goodies continue with unique A-Spec red gauges, sport pedals, black Alcantara door panel inserts, gloss black trim, A-Spec-badged door sills, and a leather-wrapped and thicker-rimmed steering wheel with paddle shifters. The red and black upholstery is a visual treat, and I enjoyed touching the very soft Alcantara. But other than the red ambient lighting, the rest of the interior looks much like the regular MDX.

The MDX's 290-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 with 267-lb-ft of torque offers more power than most drivers will need in a three-row crossover. It hit 60 mph in 6.3 seconds during instrumented testing, which is quick but not as swift as the MDX Sport Hybrid's 6.0-second run from earlier this year (the regular MDX SH-AWD has almost identical acceleration figures). The hybrid's additional power (321 hp, 289 lb-ft) plays a part in that, but so does the instant torque from the three electric motors. Driving the regular MDX A-Spec V-6 around town, I missed the hybrid model's more immediate torque delivery. Still, once the naturally aspirated V-6 gets to power, it's strong and the engine note is very enjoyable. It might be the larger exhaust tips, but that six-cylinder almost sounds like a V-8 at wide-open throttle. Road test editor Chris Walton also appreciated the "snarl" of the engine during his acceleration runs.

Besides the A-Spec package, our tester also came with the Technology package that includes a 10-speaker ELS Studio audio system, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding side mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, and LED puddle lights. The Acura Watch suite of driver-assist features is standard. In case you're wondering, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio are standard. The sticker price totals $56,195.

What you can't get on the A-Spec model is the Entertainment package (a rear-seat entertainment and comfort package) and the luxurious Advance package that includes a surround-view camera system, second-row heated captain's chairs, and active dampers.

The 2019 Acura MDX A-Spec does a good job distinguishing itself from the rest of the MDX lineup. A sport-tuned suspension could be added, but that might worsen the ride. Extra horsepower would be nice, but it's not a deal breaker. What I really want is the aggressive Sport+ mode and the active dampers I thoroughly enjoyed when I reviewed the Sport Hybrid model. The A-Spec would have been a winner with those features, but instead, it's simply a well-done visual package.
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