Acura has a record of selling over 20 million examples of the MDX in the U.S., and we think that the new fourth-generation MDX will make the numbers go up crazy fast. This is because the MDX is all-new for the 2022 model year and has a lot going on. Acura made sure to offer the Type S variant for you performance lovers with a new turbo V-6 engine.

Overview

The 2020 model year of the MDX was one of the best-sellers from the Acura’s lineup, but it was certainly not the best in its class. Acura skipped the 2021 model year and paved the way for the Genesis GV80, which is one hell of a modern SUV and is filled with luxury elements. But, the MDX is not backing off anymore. The 2022 model year is fully refreshed with a new platform, new looks, new tech, a slightly better interior space, and an all-new Type S trim. The Type S trim, as you guys would've already guessed, is a performance-oriented trim with an all-new 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 engine. The standard engine is the same 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V-6 from the outgoing generation and still offers decent punch. The gearbox is now a ten-speed unit which is smoother and more organized than the outgoing model’s nine-speed 'box. The interior gets a major makeover with the new 12.3-inch driver information display fitted as standard and the 12.3-inch infotainment display which is not touch-sensitive. Oh, come on, Acura! This is 2022! Moving forward with the interior design, everything looks modern but no over-engineering is going on, so that is good. So should you get the 2022 Acura MDX right away? Or, should you consider other options like the Lexus GX, the Genesis GV80, or the Volvo XC90? You will soon find out.

Trims and Features

This seven-seater mid-size SUV from Acura is offered in six trims (or packages, as it may seem like): MDX, Technology, A-Spec, Advance, Type S, and Type S Advance. Apart from the Type S trims, the first four trims are powered by a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V-6 engine. The base and Technology trims are front-wheel driven by default while the last four trims come with AWD as standard. The Type S and the Type S Advance are the new performance-oriented variants of the MDX and are powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 engine. For your reference, we have listed all the trims and the available features.

MDX } }

Price: $48,000

- 19-inch alloy wheels

- LED DRLs, headlamps, and taillamps

- Panoramic sunroof

- Leatherette upholstery

- Tri-zone automatic climate control

- Eight-way power-adjustable front seats

- Heated front seats

- 12.3-inch fully digital instrument console

- 12.3-inch infotainment display with touchpad controller

- Wireless charging pad

- Nine-speaker audio unit

- WiFi hotspot

- USB ports for both the front and rear row

- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay Integration

- Foldable second and third-row seats

AcuraWatch comes as standard with the 2022 MDX and it bundles features like:

- Adaptive cruise control

- Lane-keeping assist

- Forward collision mitigation

- Blindspot monitoring

- Rear cross-traffic alert system

MDX w/Technology Package } }

Price: $52,700

- Front and rear parking sensors

- 20-inch alloy wheels

- Power-folding exterior mirrors

- Rear window sunshades

- Front passenger and driver seats memory functions

- Interior ambient lighting with customization options

- Leather upholstery

- Navigation system

- 12-speaker ELS sound system

MDX w/A-Spec } }

Price: $58,400

- Sportier front and rear bumpers

- Unique fake suede inserts on the seats

- Ventilated front seats

- Flat-bottomed steering wheel

- 16-speaker ELS audio unit

- Available intercom system inside the cabin

MDX w/Advance } }

Price: $61,950

- Hands-free tailgate

- Roof rails

- Remote ignition

- Adaptive suspension dampers

- 360-degree camera system

- Heads-up display

- Heated steering wheel

- Heated second-row seats

- Unique leather upholstery for the front row

- USB ports for the third-row seats

- Household-style second-row power outlet

Type S } }

Price: $66,700

- Features of the A-Spec package

- 21-inch alloy wheels

- Adaptive air suspension with a sportier tune

- Brembo brakes at the front

- Sport-tuned transmission and AWD system

- Type S-specific front-end styling

Type S w/Advance } }

Price: $72,050

- Features from the Advance package

- Massage functions for the front seats

- 25-speaker ELS audio unit

Exterior: The MDX plays catch-up with the TLX and the RDX

Yes, the new generation MDX looks very similar to the current Acura cars, including the TLX and the RDX, which got a revamp recently. We like the current-gen design language of Acura which is more angular and sportier than before, and the MDX is no different. It is designed based on emotions, as per the brand, but, we don’t know what exactly that means. The front fascia looks sharper with sleek LED headlamps with the “Chicane” LED DRLs and the new creased sides, below the headlamps, have this C-shaped design. But the fake air vents do turn off the excitement but they look cool. The intake grille is now bigger and more stretched to the sides. If you look closely from the sides, the middle part of the grille is slightly edged to make the front-end more aerodynamic. There's a big Acura logo is placed in the middle of the grille, just like the older MDX. With different packages, the bumper design changes, especially with the A-Spec and the Type S. The front and rear bumpers get more aggressive treatments like wider and lower grille with blacked-out color profile.

As standard, the MDX comes fitted with 19-inch alloy wheels, but you can get up to the massive 21-inch wheels with the Type S variants. From the sides, the MDX looks slightly bigger in comparison to the generation it replaces and that is because of the new platform, but more on that later. The rear seems to have changed a lot and the first thing to notice would be the taillights which are now all LEDs and have gotten slimmer than the outgoing model. The circular exhaust tailpipes are replaced by the newly designed sleek ones like the RDX and the TLX. All MDXs come with a power moonroof.

As we have mentioned above about the new platform, the MDX is now about two inches wider and taller with 78.4 inches and 67.1 inches consecutively. The length is set at 198.4 inches while the wheelbase length has increased by about 2.8 inches and is now 113.8 inches total. The ground clearance is the same 7.3 inches and is good enough for mild off-roading. The curb weight without the AWD is 4,271 pounds, which is decent as per the segment standards. Compared to the GV80 and the GX, the MDX is lighter and has the least ground clearance. The GV80 has the longest wheelbase among the three while the MDX is a longer SUV overall.

2022 Acura MDX Exterior Dimensions

Interior: The updated interior is the enthusiast’s game

If it is premium-ness that you seek, the new Acura MDX will deliver almost every premium bit for its asking price, and that is truly admirable. If you have driven the outgoing model year, you will be delighted by its upmarket presence and tech-heavy interior. The first thing to notice is the new dashboard and the infotainment system that isn't touchscreen (more on this later). The dashboard is covered with leatherette with red stitches, thus leveling up the looks. The new steering wheel is leather-wrapped. With the A-Spec package, you get a flat-bottom wheel. Looking beyond the steering wheel is a gorgeous-looking 12.3-inch multi-information display and it is highly customizable. The center console is new, too, with redesigned center air vents and climate control buttons. The drive mode and gear selectors are moved upwards and are just below the infotainment display, at the center. The lower part of the center console has two cup holders, a wireless charging pad, and a touchpad controller for the infotainment display.

Coming to the seating, the new MDX is comfortable. You will sit up nice with the front bucket seats hugging you. The front seats come with eight-way power adjustability and have heating options as standard. Ventilated front seats, along with heated second-row seats, are available with the optional Advance package. The standard seats are simulated-leather ones but they are very comfy. If you would like to upgrade, the Technology package onwards will pack genuine leather upholstery for added comfort and luxury. The longer wheelbase has contributed to slightly larger cabin space, especially the legroom of the second row. The first row has 38.5-inch headroom and about 41-inches legroom. The second row has about two inches more legroom than before, so you are looking at 38.5 inches while the headroom is about 38 inches. The third row, like before, is best suited for children and is quite compact with about 36 inches of headroom and 29 inches of legroom. Overall, the MDX has a spacious cabin in the segment but the XC90 takes a slight lead in the third-row legroom.

The cargo capacity of the MDX is rather decent at 18.1 cubic feet. It is certainly more than the GX and the XC90, but the GV80 packs the biggest 34.9 cubic feet cargo capacity and that is because of the missing third row which is optional. In fact, if you fold the third-row seats of the new MDX, you will have a whopping 48.4 cubic feet, which is far better than what the GV80 offers. That said, here are the important interior features of the 2022 Acura MDX for your reference:

- Tri-zone automatic climate control

- Leather-wrapped steering wheel

- 12.3-inch driver information display

- 12.3-inch infotainment display

- Genuine leather upholstery (Optional)

- Eight-way power-adjustable and heated front seats

- Ventilated front seats (Optional)

- Heated second-row seats (Optional)

- Wireless charging pad

- Rear-window sunshades

2022 Acura MDX Interior Dimensions

The current infotainment system is much more refined and up-to-date, thanks to the newest software and also the big 12.3-inch full HD display which is, unfortunately, a non-touchscreen unit. But we say that the display is far better than the previous ones and is operated through the touchpad, which you will get used to in some time. As for the standard features, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come fitted to all MDX models. Other standard features include a nine-speaker audio unit, SiriusXM, WiFi hotspot, and USB ports. If you choose the optional packages, the MDX will unlock features like:

- 12- or 25-speaker ELS premium audio unit

- Heads-up display

- Optional massage functions for the front seats

- Navigation system

Performance and Handling: A promise which Acura has kept for the 2022 model year

Although the base engine and the power figures remain unchanged, Acura claims to have optimized the engine for better driveability. This isn't wrong, but let's talk about the powertrains first. All the MDXs without the Type S badging come equipped with a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V-6 engine which cranks out 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The transmission setup is now ten-speed unlike last year’s nine-speed, and that has contributed to a much-refined drive. The nine-speed gearbox couldn’t react faster when it was needed. The engine drives the front wheels as default but AWD is available as optional. The performance gathered from the 3.0-liter V-6 is adequate for everyday use, but if you are not satisfied with it, then don’t worry. Acura brought the Type S variants with the MDX for your enthusiastic minds. With the Type S comes a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 engine that puts out 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, but this time the SH-AWD comes as standard and the ten-speed automatic transmission is more aggressive and responsive than its standard tune.

The MDX’s base engine is a bit under-powered when you invite the GV80 2.5T or even the 5.0-liter big block of an engine lying under the hood of the GX. But the MDX’s overall reduced weight results in better acceleration results. Car and Driver acceleration tests prove that the new MDX does a 0-60 in 6.4 seconds and a standing quarter-mile in about 15.1 seconds. As for the Type S, we don’t have the numbers, but we think that it will be about a second and a half faster than the regular MDX in the standing quarter-mile runs.

The new Light Truck platform seems to be the best of both (comfort & dynamic) worlds. If you are already impressed with the new MDX, we would recommend the Super Handling- All-Wheel Drive trims as they come with torque vectoring tech for cornering precision and all-weather driveability. The base MDX drives well as we have already tested it with the SH-AWD. The ride is supple and it is far better than the GX around the corners. If you want, the Advance package could help you get a better suspension for a more dynamic feel; thanks to the adaptive suspension dampers. However, we would rate the Type S to take the handling supremacy in the segment. You can test its limits without any second thoughts as it comes with the SH-AWD system, Brembo brakes at the front, and an adaptive air suspension that is tuned to be sportier. Before you make up your mind, the MDX Type S will cost you about $70,000 with the destination charges.

2022 Acura MDX Performance Stats

Fuel Economy

The MDX is quite frugal for the amount of power delivered and the EPA rated it with 19 miles per gallon in the city, 26 miles per gallon on the highways, and 22 miles per gallon with both city and highway combined. With the SH-AWD, the MDX’s mileage figures stay the same, mostly, while the highway mileage is just down by just a mile. However, the Type S with its higher-powered engine combined with the AWD is not so mileage-friendly with 17/21/19 for city/highway/combined. All the MDXs come with a fairly large-sized 18.5-gallon gas tank which will return about 400 miles with the base engine configurations, and about 350 miles with the Type S.

2022 Acura MDX Fuel Economy

How safe is the 2022 Acura MDX?

There is nothing negative to talk about the safety of the MDX and with it, we assure you complete safety as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has rated the luxury SUV with a five-star rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has awarded the new MDX with the “Top Safety Pick+”. As for the driver assistance features, you will have the AcuraWatch at your disposal and it packs features like:

- Adaptive cruise control

- Rear cross-traffic alert

- Blindspot monitoring

- Forward collision mitigation

- Lane-keeping assist

The Technology trim onwards will come with the front and rear parking sensors, 360-degree camera system, and even low-speed braking.

Should you consider the 2022 Acura MDX?

If you want a good, spacious cabin with adequate luxury, performance, and handling finesse then the new MDX is a really good option. The Genesis GV80 is a very capable SUV but is about $3,000 pricier than the MDX and does not come with a third row as standard. Overall, we think that after all these years, the MDX looks and feels more updated. We hope that Acura updates the MDX with necessary updates each year to make it stand fast against the likes of the GV80 and the Volvo XC90.

When is the new MDX coming out?

How much does the new 2022 MDX cost?

How much power does the MDX Type S put out?

What does the SH-AWD stand for?

FAQ

Q: When is the new MDX coming out?

The fourth-gen MDX is already out and brings evolutionary changes to the moniker.

Q: How much does the new 2022 MDX cost?

The starting price of the new fourth-gen MDX is about $50,000, including federal taxes.

Q: How much power does the MDX Type S put out?

The new 3.0-liter turbo V-6 under the hood of the MDX Type S puts out 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque.

Q: What does the SH-AWD stand for?

The SH-AWD stands for Sharp Handling-All Wheel Drive which is Acura’s fancy way of stating an AWD with torque vectoring.