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The Acura MDX was already the best-selling luxury 3-row on the market prior to the new 2022 update, but could a used Acura MDX one be an even better deal?
Simplicity as Virtue
Acura’s best-selling model, the three-row MDX, entered its fourth generation with the release of its 2022 model earlier this year. Part of the model’s popularity rests on its well-honed balance between luxurious refinement and affordability, often undercutting the competition while offering loads of standard features. The newly minted 2022 Acura MDX improves on the prior generation in terms of drivability, safety features, and tech, but add a few years onto a used Acura MDX and you’ll find considerable savings. Are they enough to justify buying used versus new? Let’s find out.
Specs
2017 Acura MDX
The third-generation 2017 Acura MDX offers two powertrain options. The first is a 3.5L V6 making 290 horsepower and 267 lb.-ft. of torque paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive comes standard with optional all-wheel drive available. Fuel economy for the base engine comes in at 20 city and 27 highway mpg.
Then there is the Sport Hybrid which pairs a 3.0L V6 with three electric motors for 321 horsepower and 341 lb.-ft. of torque. This configuration comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Gas mileage improves to 26 city and 27 highway mpg.
2022 Acura MDX
The new 2022 Acura MDX also comes with two powertrains despite the hybrid option getting dropped. The base engine is a 3.5L V6 making 290 horsepower and 267 lb.-ft. of torque matched with a new ten-speed automatic transmission. Again, front-wheel drive is the default with all-wheel drive as an option.
The second choice is a 3.0L turbocharged V6 making 355 horsepower and 345 lb.-ft. of torque and also paired with the same ten-speed automatic. The front-wheel drive version is rated at 19 city and 26 highway mpg while the all-wheel drive version dips ever so slightly to 19/25 mpg.
Driving & Performance
The 2017 MDX provides a competent drive. Steering is light and accurate and body roll is well-muted for confident cornering. The hybrid gets adaptive damping which further improves both handling and ride quality. The 3.5L V6 runs smoothly enough but the same cannot be said of the nine-speed automatic which can be jittery at times. The start-stop function in the hybrid can also draw unwanted attention to itself with jerky transitions. Overall, however, the 2017 MDX provides a comfortable and athletic driving experience without really distinguishing itself from the competition.
The fourth-generation 2022 MDX received some major upgrades that improve on an already good thing. While the last generation MDX was mostly a tarted-up Honda Pilot, the new version gets all-new, unique components. There’s a new stiffer chassis, a new brake-by-wire system, as well as a belt-driven variable-ratio steering rack and significant suspension changes. The naturally-aspirated V6 stands out as the base engine for it’s smooth power delivery and ample, on-demand torque. It’s also notable when you compare it to the buzzier four-cylinders you’ll find in the base models of most of the competition. The new ten-speed automatic is a perfect antidote to the lackluster nine-speed from the previous generation, with seamless transitions up and down. Cornering is also impressive, especially for a front-wheel drive vehicle of this size and the revised suspension is clearly in evidence. The all-wheel drive system likewise stands out from both the older model and contemporary competition. The 2022 MDX offers a more defined character on the road than the 2017 model.
Comfort & Interior
The interior of the Acura MDX is one area where the frugality necessary for its competitive price point becomes evident. While the 2017 MDX does feature plenty of soft-touch materials and luxury flourishes the overall design and the clunky infotainment interface both lag behind. One highlight, however, is the configurable second row that features a removeable center seat so the MDX can go from bench to captain’s chairs in mere moments. The increased ease of access helps passengers access the third row, an area best relegated to children and pets. The 2017 MDX features a somewhat high load floor. On the flip side, thanks to come cleaver suspension and battery packaging, the hybrid doesn’t sacrifice any cargo capacity and remains at 14.9 cu. ft. in back, 38.4 behind the second row, and a full 68.4 cu. ft. in total.
The new 2022 Acura MDX received some important updates to its interior though the somewhat busy design of its predecessor remains. The redesigned trackpad infotainment interface is a much-welcomed improvement. High-quality materials remain, but the copious use of piano black may be hit-and-miss with some shoppers. Of special note are the excellent seats. The bolstering is an especially nice touch that is missing on a lot of luxury models. Thanks to the shallow trim levels (which we’ll get to momentarily), the MDX offers a lot of standard features that you’ll pay extra for on comparable luxury models.
Cargo in the 2022 MDX improves to 16.3, 39.1, and 71.4 cu. ft.
Trims & Features
Because the MDX offers options packages and not traditional trim levels, you’ll find a lot of standard options. The base 2017 MDX comes equipped with a ten-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, a moonroof, navigation, satellite radio, and four USB ports. Unfortunately, you won’t find either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. The Tech Package adds valuable safety features like blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alerts, GPS-linked climate control, rain-sensing wipers, and voice commands. Next is the Advanced Package with its wood interior accents, LED fog lights, parking sensors, and heated steering wheel. The Entertainment Package adds rear-seat entertainment starting with a 16.2-inch screen, 12-speaker surround sound, and two wireless headphone sets.
The new 2022 MDX comes standard with two 12.3-inch displays one for infotainment and the other for the gauge cluster. There’s also a nine-speaker stereo, both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, satellite and HD radio, Bluetooth, and lots of safety features like adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection to name just a few. Additional safety options include a heads-up display and a 360° camera.
Upgrade from the base 3.5L V6 to the 3.0L turbo and you’ll also get Brembo brakes, all-wheel drive, leather upholstery, and the premium ELS stereo.
The Tech Package now includes leather seats, a 12-speaker ELS stereo, and navigation. The A-Spec Package adds the Tech Package items plus AWD, a 16-speaker ELS stereo, and ventilated front seats. The Advance Pack adds heated rear outboard seats (the two captain’s chairs), a heated steering wheel, the heads-up display, and a hands-free liftgate.
Pricing & Conclusions
Currently, a five-year old used Acura MDX will run between $30,000 and $35,000 depending on the options packages it carries and mileage. A new 2022 Acura MDX starts at $46,900 and runs up to around $60,000 with the A-Spec and/or Advance package. That’s a good 40-50% spread between the two, and at first glance one is inclined to lean toward the used MDX.
However, if you can at all afford and are considering the new MDX, it’s probably, dollar-for-dollar, the better deal. The new improvements, from infotainment to suspension and drivetrain make the 2022 Acura MDX a much more livable and enjoyable vehicle. And once you start to compare the current MDX to other luxury rivals you begin to see why it’s king of the heap in its segment: it’s a darn good bargain.
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