Multi-Dimensional Luxury
The Acura MDX SUV is a five-door luxury car designed for 5 to 7 people. Released in 2000 for North America, this vehicle is known in many countries around the world as an example of a high-quality, technologically advanced model with excellent driving characteristics. In terms of popularity in the segment, the Acura MDX competes with one of the most famous luxury vehicles, the Lexus RX, which already speaks for itself. At the end of 2020, a new, fourth generation SUV was released.
The ‘MDX’ letter index stands for ‘Multi-Dimensional luxury’, with which Acura demonstrates that every element of the vehicle has been carefully thought out during development and production, and this, in general, is close to the truth. Not only did the vehicle turn out to be of high quality initially, but it is also constantly being improved. The MDX already has four generations.
The MDX was originally manufactured in Canada as the model was aimed at the North American market. The SUV is based on the Honda Global, which is also used as the basis for the Pilot, Accord, Acura TL, TSX and Odyssey models, but the MDX differs from all these models not only by the trim level, but also by the use of the most progressive and advanced options. By the way, the vehicle exterior was inspired by a rhinoceros. And if you look closely, the noble appearance of a dangerous odd-toed hoofed mammal clearly shows through the aerodynamic contours of the MDX.
The first generation
It was produced from 2000 to 2006. The first Acura MDX is a large luxury SUV with a wheelbase of 2.7 meters that weighs over 2 tons. It was equipped with a 3.5-liter 24-valve 6-cylinder engine with 240 hp and could also be equipped with a 3.7-liter engine producing 300 hp. The vehicle is standardly equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission. It is obvious that the MDX interior had excellent finishing. But beyond that, it was packed full of cutting-edge high-end standard options. Those included an electric sunroof, high-intensity xenon low-beam headlights, a satellite-linked GPS system with connected real-time traffic alerts, a rear-view camera and a remote-operated tailgate.
At the same time, the MDX was designed for rather selfish drivers, since compared to the cheaper models based on the same platform, its third-row seats were smaller and only accommodated two passengers. But the SUV had a number of Acura’s special options: the four-wheel drive system (VTM-4), which was automatically activated in some situations, offered a lock mode that could be activated and used at low speeds. That option, similar to the rear differential lock, was for particularly difficult road conditions. The SUV could tow as much as 2,300 kg of cargo. In terms of quality, the first Acura MDX was deservedly recognized by Motortrend magazine as the SUV of 2001 and confidently competed with such dangerous rivals as the Ford Explorer and BMW X5.
The second generation
It was produced from 2006 to 2013, and was restyled in 2010. Acura continued to be creative and transformed the second MDX into an SUV that combined the spaciousness and reliability of a minivan and the driving performance of a sports sedan. The vehicle became longer, wider and taller, received even more advanced features and options. The 300-horsepower engine became standard. At the same time, to expand the power range while improving fuel efficiency, the 3.7-liter engine started featuring Acura’s patented variable valve timing system, which delivered faster throttle response, outstanding low to mid-range torque and exemplary high-revving power. The engine was coupled with an all-new 6-speed automatic transmission.
The ‘MDX’ letter index stands for ‘Multi-Dimensional luxury’
The second MDX could boast of a significantly improved design, which was achieved not only thanks to the new Acura Power Plenum radiator grille, but to all the design elements, which managed to turn the humble exterior of the SUV more defined and more individual with a new hood, new headlights, new sills and more. The interior was also improved, acquiring higher trim levels, more LED interior lighting, an adjustable 10-way power driver’s seat, suspended second-row seats and more, including the entire package of advanced electronic devices. The safety was ensured by Honda Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE), which absorbed the impact energy in a collision. It was complemented by options such as Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) along with Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Braking System and much more.
The third generation
Acura worked especially hard on the third generation MDX. It was produced from 2013 to 2020, while its restyling took place in 2015 and 2016. The body and chassis of the third MDX were developed from scratch within the framework of a new Man-Machine Synergy concept, which was aimed at creating a vehicle that could function ‘at the driver’s request’, which implied intuitive and extremely responsive handling. In addition, the “synergistic” vehicle was supposed to be an example of a “business jet for family vacations.”
When developing the new MDX, Acura engineers focused on three key goals:
- best-in-class fuel efficiency;
- higher level of prestige and luxurious comfort;
- maximum level of safety.
The new Acura MDX became larger and somewhat narrower. Plus, the body comprised such lightweight materials as high-strength steel, aluminum and magnesium. And as a result, the longer and taller vehicle became lighter, more fuel-efficient and more dynamic. Aerodynamic efficiency increased by 16% and drag reduction was reduced by 19%, body torsional stiffness increased by 12.4%, and suspension anchorage stiffness increased by 67% over the previous model.
The MDX became the best-selling three-row luxury SUV of all times and, of course, the best-selling SUV of the Acura brand, with sales of 50,000 units sold in the last three years of the third generation
The vehicle came standard with an aluminum 3.5-liter 24-valve V6 engine with 290 hp with the improved architecture, which increased horsepower per liter by 2%, while output torque per liter was increased by 4.4%. The engine was coupled with an upgraded 6-speed automatic transmission with consistent sporty shifting, reduced friction and smoother gear shifting.
The MDX acquired a ‘smarter’ exterior in line with the requirements of economy and dynamics. The ‘rhino’ became taller, more elegant and slimmer. The initially good interior was not subjected to numerous changes, but it had modern options, functions and devices, as well as improved ergonomics. Particular attention was paid to sound insulation. Thus, acoustic PVB windshield, acoustic glass of the front door, thicker rear glass, doorways with triple seals and other elements were used to reduce noise. So, according to the Acura vehicle owners, the new MDX is completely silent when driving without music.
The safety system was based on the same ACE body, but it was given for revision not to just anyone, but to a supercomputer. Artificial intelligence, the use of advanced materials and state-of-the-art options allowed the Acura MDX to receive the highest scores during all tests from both the Federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The perseverance of Acura’s craftsmen was highly appreciated by US motorists, which were the main users of the MDX vehicles. The MDX became the best-selling three-row luxury SUV of all times and, of course, the best-selling SUV of the Acura brand, with sales of 50,000 units sold in the last three years of the third generation
The fourth generation
It has been produced from 2020 to the present (as of 2021). The successful third generation MDX has made the fourth generation model the flagship for the brand. The exterior of the 2020/2021 Acura MDX has been redesigned again. The hood and the rear end of the vehicle are designed in full compliance with modern trends, but at the same time the model remains sophisticated and well-finished, featuring even better materials and more elaborated design.
The 2021 Acura MDX comes standard with two engines. There is a 3.5-liter petrol engine with 290 hp and a torque of 355 Nm, accelerating the large SUV to 100 km in a very decent 7.6 seconds, but the speed is limited to 200 km/h. The hybrid system consists of a 3-liter petrol engine and two electric motors, which generally offer practically the same dynamic characteristics as a petrol engine, but the hybrid is more fuel-efficient. The vehicle is equipped with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
The new Acura MDX includes a full package of advanced safety and driver assistance technologies as standard equipment, including Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with low speed tracking, Road Departure Monitoring (RDM) and much, much more.
