Photo credit: Michael Simari – Car and Driver
From Car and Driver
UPDATE 2/23/21: This analysis has been adapted with analysis results.
Acura’s driver-focused cast reboot is off to a able alpha with the acute 2021 TLX sports auto that it alien backward aftermost year. But to be acknowledged in today’s market, the brand’s compound for administration accomplishment additionally has to assignment on a hulking, three-row account vehicle. Fortunately for the redesigned 2022 MDX—whose antecedent outsold the TLX almost two to one in contempo years—it does.
The fourth-generation model’s athleticism is hasty because it’s about two inches best and added than afore and has a wheelbase that’s 2.8 inches longer. Partially compensating for the beyond brand is a new platform, which is stiffer and appearance a about-face from a strut advanced abeyance to a control-arm bureaucracy that sharpens its amenities and handling. Accumulated with absolute but not ever quick variable-assist steering, the aftereffect is a reassuringly absolute feel from its advanced end aback axis into corners, behindhand of the called drive mode.
Photo credit: Michael Simari – Car and Driver
A revised multilink rear abeyance and adaptive dampers add to its active composure, as does a torque-vectoring rear cogwheel on versions able with the Super Administration All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. Base models get 19-inch wheels, but best trims abrasion 20s shod with 255/50R-20 Bridgestone Alenza Action A/S all-season tires. Ride affection on the big rollers is close but never harsh. While alley abreast is not as absolute as that of, say, an Audi Q7 or a Volvo XC90, the MDX’s admiration is abrupt for a seven-seat agent about 200 inches long. A absolute of snow prevented us from acquirements if the new adaptation improves aloft the 0.83 g of crabbed anchor acquaint by an all-wheel-drive 2017 MDX we aftermost tested. But our new SH-AWD A-spec analysis agent did stop from 70 mph in 170 feet, which is about par for this articulation and a solid 15 anxiety beneath than its predecessor.
Power comes from Acura’s familiar, throaty-sounding 3.5-liter V-6 that’s acceptable for 290 horses, which now mates to an automated manual with 10 speeds, up from the antecedent nine. Gear swaps are bland and well-coordinated. But accustomed the MDX’s sportier character, we’d like quicker responses from the 10-speed’s paddles on the council wheel. At 4514 pounds, our analysis agent advised aloof shy of 300 pounds added than its predecessor, with that balloon accidental about a half-second to its dispatch times. The run to 60 mph now takes 6.4 abnormal and the quarter-mile passes in 15.1 abnormal at 93 mph, which feels wholly able for a ancestors hauler and is quicker than abounding accomplished three-row SUVs, such as the Kia Telluride and Mazda CX-9. Both of those cartage charge about seven abnormal to hit 60 and a few added tenths to complete a quarter-mile.
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Photo credit: Michael Simari – Car and Driver
Despite the MDX’s weight gain, its EPA fuel-economy estimates—21 mpg combined, 19 city, and 25 artery for SH-AWD models—are about the aforementioned as those of the approachable model. However, that account is beneath aflush in the absolute world: Our analysis agent averaged a full-size-SUV-like 16 mpg overall, and it alone managed 22 mpg on our 75-mph artery analysis against 28 mpg for its 2017 model-year counterpart.
A best awning helps the MDX’s amply channelled bodywork added carefully actor rear-wheel-drive proportions, admitting its agent still actuality army transversely. Inside, drivers will acknowledge the accepted advanced action seats and abate diameter, thicker-rimmed council wheel. Technophiles will dig the ablaze 12.3-inch gauge-cluster and infotainment displays, although we advance that, admitting some updates, Acura’s touchpad interface is no backup for a well-executed touchscreen. Aluminum accents and open-pore copse trim amalgamate with ambient lighting to accord the MDX’s berth a rich, high-tech vibe that’s adequate with the $61,675 ask of the top Advance SH-AWD model. Prices alpha at $47,925, a $2400 admission over the approachable model.
Photo credit: Michael Simari – Car and Driver
Additional highlights accommodate an accessible head-up display, 16-speaker ELS audio arrangement with 710 watts, and a disposable second-row centermost console/seat that can catechumen the axial bank to captain’s chairs. Comfort levels are aerial in the average row, although six-footers may ambition for a bit added legroom aback front-seat occupants aren’t activity generous. Rearmost riders account from easier admission to a added ample third row that sits college off the floor, but adults still won’t appetite to sit aback there for long. On the account front, the MDX tows up to 5000 pounds, and its burden authority swallows 16 cubic anxiety of being abaft the third row, 39 with the third row folded, and 71 with both rows folded.
That the MDX’s driver-centric change has brought any uptick in versatility is impressive. As it did with the TLX, Acura will action a Type S adaptation of the MDX after this year, which should be far added absorbing with its 355-hp twin-turbo V-6 and beyond brakes, wheels, and tires. But alike in accepted 290-hp form, the MDX reinforces Acura’s new administration via its acute affiliation with the road.
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