As we all know, the Acura MDX model that we saw in Detroit->ke222 was only a prototype that gave prospective buyers "a strong indication of the styling and design direction for the third generation." Well, now that the 2013 New York Auto Show is upon us, the 2014 MDX->ke1875 has officially been unveiled in full-production form.

In all honesty, the prototype and the production models are very similar, but Acura basically just toned down the extreme stuff. Things like the LED bars on the front and rear bumpers are nixed. Additionally, Acura gave the front skirt a more traditional look; as opposed to the futuristic treatment it received in the prototype. From the side, the prototype and the production models are nearly indistinguishable, as they both carry almost the identical profile and the rims are identical.

One thing that we’re sure every Acura fan has been waiting for is the revealing of the new model’s interior. And Acura delivered the goods today.

Updated 02/03/2015: Acura announced prices and details for the 2016 MDX, a model that comes with multiple new features and technologies, a more advanced powertrain and an expanded model range. The model is now available at Acura dealerships at a starting price of $42,865.

Click past the jump to read all about the 2014-2015 Acura MDX.

acura-mdx

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: acura-mdx
Pros
Cons

2014 - 2016 Acura MDX

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 - 2016 Acura MDX
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 290
  • Torque: 267
  • Transmission: Six-Speed Automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Updated History

Updated 06/03/2014: Acura announced prices for the 2015 Acura MDX which went on sale today, June 3. Prices for the 2015 MDX will range from $42,565 for the base version and up to $56,780 for the MDX equipped with SH-AWD and Advance Package.

Exterior

The 2014 MDX will be featuring Acura's new "Aero Sculpture" design language that includes the signature Acura Jewel Eye LED headlights. This new "aero" design language will improve the MDX's aerodynamic efficiency by more that 17 percent when compared to the 2013 model.

The body is now made of 55 percent advanced lightweight materials, like high-strength steel, aluminum and magnesium. The end result of these new materials is a body that is more rigid to help with handling and stability and a drop of 275 pounds from the 2013 model. As standard, you get a set of aluminum-alloy wheels sized 18 inches and you receive 19-inch alloys with the Technology and Advanced trim levels.

The body measures in at 193.6 inches long, 77.2 inches wide without the mirrors, 67.6 inches high and sits atop a 111-inch-long wheelbase, which is 2.75 inches longer than last year’s MDX. Adding to your riding comfort is a new slew of sound-deadening material, like acoustic glass, expanding body sealers and Active Noise Control technology.

Overall, the body is oddly sexy, with its swooping roofline, sharp ridges on the hood, new LED headlights and a beautifully revised rump. The total package just screams “luxury,” whereas the 2013 model just looked a little overwhelmingly angular in our opinion. The loss of the hard body lines also helps draw attention away from the monstrous Acura beak.

Exterior Specifications

Length

193.6 inches

Width

77.2 inches

Height

67.6 inches

Wheelbase

111 inches

Weight

4,319 pounds (Est.)


Interior

On the inside, you get a far less angular design from last year’s MDX. All of the lines seem to flow together nicely and they flow more elegantly through the cabin. The first place you’ll notice a difference is the driver interface (aka the steering wheel). The 2013 MDX’s wheel was harshly angled and all of the control buttons seemed out of place and too far spread out. The revised wheel has all of the buttons closely packed together but still easily distinguished from one another. Overall, it all flows together more nicely than last year, dashboard to seat to door panel; it’s all perfect.

Accessing the cabin of the MDX is easier than ever. First of all, the redesigned multi-link suspension on the rear end allows for more walking room to the third row. The new MDX also features a 2-inch-lower step-in height, and a 3-inch-wider entryway.

The kiddos will never argue over who sits where due to the third row being so inaccessible, thank to Acura’s all-new One-Touch Walk0In button. A the push of a button, the second-row seats fold down, then slide to their forward-most position, giving the third-row occupants plenty of room to get situated.

Speaking of the second row seats, they now have a full four recline positions for optimal comfort on those long hauls. The second row also gains Extended Slide, which gives it 6 inches of forward and backward movement, allowing for maximum second- and third-row legroom.

Also new on the 2014 MDX is an under-floor storage space for those smaller items that you don’t want rolling around.

The rear seats aren’t all that received some extra refinement, as the front seats got their fair share too. The driver’s seat features 10-way power adjustment with heat for those cold mornings, while the passenger seat adjusts eight directions under its own power and offers up a little heat of its own. Acura went the extra mile by taking into consideration the fact that front passengers need a little storage room too, by expanding the center console so it will accommodate a woman’s purse, a laptop case or two tablet computers.

New for 2016

The 2016 model year brings a host of new interior features to the MDX, starting with the frameless rearview mirror and the Multi-View Angle Camera with Dynamic Guidelines. A bi-directional remote engine starter, idle stop, easy-entry/exit driver's seat, and Siri Eyes Free voice recognition further enhance the SUV's convenience features list. As far as safety and driver assists go, the MDX now features AcuraWatch, Road Departure Mitigation and Rear Cross Traffic Monitor.

Standard Interior Features

-Premium leather-trimmed interior

-Silver plated accents

-LED overhead

-Cabin accent lighting

-Acura/ELS Studio premium audio system with 7-inch color On Demand Multi-Use Display

-Next-generation AcuraLink connectivity system

-AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic, featuring freeway traffic and surface street conditions

-8-inch Color Information Display

Optional Interior Features

-Smart Entry

-Second-row sunshades

-Remote engine start

-Auto-linked air conditioning

-Climate-controlled seats

-DVD Rear Entertainment system with a 9-inch full VGA (optional 16.2-inch full-VGA screen)

New for 2016

- frameless rearview mirror

- Siri™ Eyes Free voice recognition

- Easy-entry/exit driver’s seat

- Multi-View Angle Rear Camera with Dynamic Guidelines

- Bi-directional remote engine starter

- Idle stop

- Head up warning

- AcuraWatch

- Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)

- Rear Cross Traffic Monitor

Engine

The 2014 Acura MDX is powered by an all-new, direct-injected 3.5-liter i-VTEC SOHC V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM). This all-new powerplant pumps out a respectable 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. Unfortunately, that is down 10 horsepower and 3 pound-feet of torque from last year’s 3.7-liter V-6 engine, but the 275-pound weight loss that it underwent should help compensate for the loss.

The engine links up to a six-speed automatic transmission with a Sport Mode and Sequential SportShift Paddle Shifters for those people who like a little more control. The standard MDX sends the power out to the front wheels, but you can opt for the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system to get power to all four wheels.

The MDX also features a new Integrated Dynamic System that allows you to select between Sport, Normal and Comfort driving styles. This system adjusts the steering effort, throttle response, SH-AWD and active sound relative to whichever setting you choose.

While performance numbers are not yet known, we did learn in New York that the MDX SH-AWD will deliver 18 mpg city, 27 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined, while the front-wheel-drive model will deliver 20 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined. Those are massive improvements over the 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway that the 2013 MDX delivered so the power loss definitely pays for itself.

New for 2016

2016 brings important additions in the drivetrain department, the most important of which being a nine-speed automatic transmission. Already available on the TLX sedan, the autobox is 66 pounds lighter than the six-speed automatic it replaces and provides 25-percent faster gear shifts improving both weight distribution and acceleration performance. A push-button electronic gear selector also comes with the new transmission to free up room above the center console.

Also new for the 2016 MDX is Acura's revised Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. Now utilizing a lighter twin-clutch rear differential and torque vectoring, the new-generation SH-AWD is more responsive and delivers enhanced torque transfer and handling characteristics. The result is a more agile and stable SUV.

Safety

The MDX features a slew of new safety devices, including:

-Next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ II (ACE™ II) body structure

-4-wheel Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)

-Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)

-Brake Assist

-Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®)

-Traction Control

-Airbags (front, front side, driver’s knee and side curtain with rollover sensor)

For additional safety, you can opt for:

-Forward Collision Warning (FCW)

-Lane Departure Warning (LDW) systems

Suspension

The suspension has been revised to include new Amplitude Reactive Dampers to go along with a MacPherson strut front suspension and new multi-link rear suspension. 18-inch wheels with 25/60R18 tires are standard, but optional 19-inch rollers with 245/55R19 tires are available on the Technology and Advanced packages

Prices

Production version Acura MDX will arrive in July 2013 in four trim levels: MDX, MDX with Technology package, MDX with Technology and Entertainment packages, and the top-of-the-line MDX with Advance and Entertainment packages. Prices are as follows:

PRICING

Trim Name

Trans

EPA

MSRP

MDX (FWD)

6AT

20/28/23

$42,290

MDX (FWD) w/ Technology Package

6AT

20/28/23

$46,565

MDX (FWD) w/ Technology & Entertainment Packages

6AT

20/28/23

$48,565

MDX (FWD) w/ Advance & Entertainment Packages

6AT

20/28/23

$54,505

MDX (SH-AWD)

6AT

18/27/21

$44,290

MDX (SH-AWD) w/ Technology Package

6AT

18/27/21

$48,565

MDX (SH-AWD) w/ Technology & Entertainment Packages

6AT

18/27/21

$50,565

MDX (SH-AWD) w/ Advance & Entertainment Packages

6AT

18/27/21

$56,505


2015 Acura MDX Prices

Trim model

Price

Fuel economy

MDX

$42,565

20/28/23

MDX with Technology Package

$46,840

20/28/23

MDX with Technology and Entertainment Package

$48,840

20/28/23

MDX with Advance Package

$54,780

20/28/23

MDX with SH-AWD

$44,565

18/27/21

MDX with SH-AWD and Technology Package

$48,840

18/27/21

MDX with SH-AWD, Technology and Entertainment Packages

$50,840

18/27/21

MDX with SH-AWD and Advance Package

$56,780

18/27/21


2016 Acura MDX Prices

Trim

MSRP

EPA MPG3 (city/highway/combined)

MDX

$42,865

19/27/22

MDX with AcuraWatch™ Plus Package

$44,365

19/27/22

MDX with Technology Package

$47,290

19/27/22

MDX with Technology & AcuraWatch™ Plus Packages

$48,490

19/27/22

MDX with Technology & Entertainment Packages

$49,290

19/27/22

MDX with Technology Package, Entertainment & AcuraWatch™ Plus Packages

$50,490

19/27/22

MDX with Advance & AcuraWatch™ Plus Packages

$53,080

20/27/23 (with idle stop)

MDX with Advance, Entertainment & AcuraWatch™ Plus Packages

$55,080

20/27/23 (with idle stop)

MDX SH-AWD

$44,865

18/26/21

MDX SH-AWD with AcuraWatch™ Plus Package

$46,365

18/26/21

MDX SH-AWD with Technology Package

$49,290

18/26/21

MDX SH-AWD with Technology & AcuraWatch™ Plus Package

$50,490

18/26/21

MDX SH-AWD with Technology & Entertainment Packages

$51,290

18/26/21

MDX SH-AWD with Technology Package, Entertainment & AcuraWatch™ Plus Packages

$52,490

18/26/21

MDX SH-AWD with Advance & AcuraWatch™ Plus Packages

$55,080

19/26/22 (with idle stop)

MDX SH-AWD with Advance, Entertainment & AcuraWatch™ Plus Packages

$57,080

19/26/22 (with idle stop)


Competition

The Acura MDX might be a very cool model, but it has a very big problem: German competition is very strong.

Audi Q7

Completely redesigned for 2016, the Audi Q7 boasts brand-new exterior styling -- now in line with the rest of the of the Audi lineup -- that includes headlamps, a singleframe grille and massive bumper intakes similar to those seen on many 2015 model year updates. The interior is now more appealing, with the Germans getting rid of the SUV's bulky center stack and ancient A/C vents. A modern, taller center console and completely redesigned dashboard will keep the new Q7 fresh for a few years.

Audi offers no less than four drivetrains for the SUV, with a hybrid option to become available later in its life cycle. For now, the Q7 can be had with either a 2.0-liter TFSI rated at 252 horsepower, a 3.0-liter TFSI churning 333 ponies, or one of two 3.0-liter TDI diesel mills. The latter crank out either 218 or 272 horses, while torque ranges between 369 and 442 pound-feet. Pricing is not yet available as of January 2015, but it should begin from around $50,000.

BMW X5

The third-generation BMW X5 arrived at the same time with the new MDX, finding its way into U.S. dealerships for the 2014 model year. Redesigned inside and out, the German SUV received a wider kidney grille, new headlamps, revamped front seats, higher quality materials and a general improvement of the comfort level.

Three different drivetrains motivate the X5. On the gasoline front, the TwinPower, 3.0-liter, inline-six sends 300 horsepower to the wheels, while the trusty 4.4-liter V-8 cranks out a hefty 445 ponies. In the diesel department, there's a 3.0-liter, six-cylinder rated at 255 horses. Pricing for the X5 starts from $53,900 for the 2015 model year and goes well into $70,000 territory with the range-topping xDrive50i model.

Conclusion

Acura just couldn’t resist beating BMW and Audi to the punch for the 2014 model year. This could end up being the best decision it ever made or a complete folly, as Bimmer and Audi may now adjust their respective model to one-up the Acura. We’ll see.