Acura's MDX is an unusual offering because it's become unusual to find a midsize crossover that comes standard with a V6 engine. Most — such as the Volkswagen Atlas, the Hyundai Palisade and the Toyota Grand Highlander — have lost their sixes in favor of turbocharged or hybrid-augmented fours. So have the Lexus RX and the Infiniti GV80 and the Audi Q7 too.
The MDX is even more unusual because it offers more than just one V6.
What It Is
The MDX is Acura's midsize/three-row crossover and one of the few remaining vehicles of its type that comes standard with a naturally aspirated (no turbo) V6 rather than a turbo/hybrid-augmented four. The few others that don't — such as the BMW X5 — are vastly more pricey, which makes the MDX very appealing.
This luxury-sport crossover comes in two trims — the $51,800 base, which comes with the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6, a 10-speed automatic and is front-wheel drive. You can add all-wheel drive as a standalone option, which raises the MSRP to $54,000. The base trim also comes with an 11-speaker premium audio system, synthetic leather upholstery, a panorama sunroof, reclining and sliding second row seats, a power rear liftgate, 19-inch wheels and a fully LCD main instrument and secondary infotainment display.
The Type S is the other available trim, and this one is defined by the 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 it comes standard with, plus a host of performance-related and luxury upgrades that includes an adaptive suspension, Brembo brakes and a 31-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. This version of the MDX also gets the contents of the Advance and Technology Packages that are available optionally with the standard (non-Type S) MDX. This encompasses a heads-up display, real wood (and leather) trim, laminated rear glass, customizable ambient interior lighting, heated second-row seats, third-row USB ports and roof rails.
This range-topping version of the MDX lists for $75,850.
What's New For 2026
There are no significant changes for this year; the current MDX is basically the same as the '22 MDX.
What's Good
— One of the few crossovers in this price range that still comes standard with a V6 engine.
— Priced thousands of dollars below rivals such as the BMW X5 ($68,300 to start) and Audi Q7 ($62,000 to start, and for that you don't get a six).
— Fun to drive and not over-teched.
What's Not So Good
— Standard V6 is not as powerful as the engines that are standard in rivals such as the BMW X5.
— Optional V6 is bundled exclusively with Type S package that adds almost $25,000 to the price (and makes it thousands more expensive than the more powerful BMW X5).
— You have to buy AWD to get the 5,000-pound towing capacity.
Under the Hood
The MDX is something of a straggler in that is the last of the luxury brand crossovers in its price range that still comes standard with a six-cylinder engine. The $51,225 Lexus RX "350" — which used to come with a 3.5-liter V6 — now comes standard with a turbo-hybrid augmented 2.4-liter four. The $58,850 Genesis GV80 comes with a 2.5-liter turbo'd four too. You can't even get a six in the RX "350" anymore, and if you want a GV80 with one, it'll cost you $76,250.
The Acura's standard 3.5-liter V6 used to be available in Hondas — such as the Accord (which is now also turbo four/hybrid-only). Engines with more than four cylinders have all but disappeared from non-luxury-brand vehicles and are becoming rarities in even luxury-brand vehicles — at least in models that can be bought for around $50,000, like the MDX.
The 3.5 V6 isn't hugely powerful — it touts 290 horsepower — but it has an earned reputation for being extremely smooth, free-revving and very long-term reliable. Remember, it used to be available in mass-market Hondas like the Accord, which Honda used to sell lots of because the car had an earned rep for being a quarter-million-miler if you changed the oil on schedule. It's true many luxury-brand buyers lease, and so long-term durability may not be a huge concern if that's you. On the other hand, if you're the kind of person who likes the luxury of not having a car payment for a number of years after you pay off your vehicle, the Acura's no-turbo (or hybrid-augmented) V6 and its track record for long-term durability may matter more to you than hugely powerful.
On the other hand, if you want hugely powerful, it's available. The Type-S comes with a 3.0-liter V6 that is turbocharged — that makes 355 horsepower (and also 354 foot-pounds of torque at just 1,400 RPM — so basically as soon as it's running). This version of the MDX can get to 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds versus about 6.8 seconds for the regular MDX with the 3.5-liter V6 and AWD.
Both V6s are paired with a 10-speed automatic, but the 3.5-liter V6 is available in either FWD or AWD configurations, while the 3.0-liter V6 comes only in the AWD configuration.
An MDX with the standard 3.5-liter V6 can pull up to 5,000 pounds but only in the AWD configuration. The FWD model with the 3.5-liter V6 is rated to pull 3,500 pounds. The AWD Type-S comes standard with a 5,000-pound max tow rating.
On the Road
Acura has always traded on its vehicles being like Hondas in the sense that Hondas are sportier-feeling to drive than, say, Toyotas. Acuras are like that, but they're nicer in terms of the level of amenities you get with the premium brand. You now also get something else: that V6 engine. As mentioned already, engines with more than four cylinders are getting really scarce, even among luxury-brand vehicles. This is a prestige deficit — even if the turbo/hybrid-augmented fours equal (and in some cases surpass) the power/performance of the sixes they've replaced.
The thing is, most don't. At least not for the money. For instance, the price-comparable Lexus RX350's now-standard 2.4-liter turbo/hybrid-augmented four makes 275 horsepower; the 3.5-liter V6 it used to come standard with made 295 horsepower. The RX is also now a two-tow-only rig. Within this class, you pretty much have to move up to something a lot more expensive — like a BMW X5 — to get a six.
But does it make a substantive difference? Yes, it does. The naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 that's standard in the MDX doesn't feel as strong at lower engine speeds (as in stop-and-go driving) because it's not turbo-boosted. This doesn't mean it's not strong enough to get the MDX going quickly enough — see that 6.8-seconds-to-60-mph stat mentioned earlier; it wasn't all that long ago a stat like that would have been considered high-performance. An MDX with the 3.5-liter V6 won't out-accelerate a new Mustang GT — but the point is that it doesn't lack for acceleration. You do have to give it more gas to get going quickly — half rather than quarter pedal — but the reward is a sound that's more pleasing to the ear than the sound of a turbo/hybrid-augmented four. The 3.5-liter V6 likes to rev; you can tell by the way it sounds as the tach needle swings past 6,000 RPM (redline is just shy of 7,000 RPM).
If you want the prestige of the six and the low-down torque of a turbo-boosted engine, the 3.0-liter six delivers both. Its 354 foot-pounds of torque is pretty much always available — because it is made at 1,400 RPM. This means mighty motive force is available anytime you need it. This thing bullies forward like a 300-pound NFL linebacker. It's just a shame that it's so expensive that few will be able to enjoy it.
Acura is also kind of like Pontiac (RIP) was back in the day, when Pontiac was known for making cars (like the Trans Am) that handled really well but didn't beat you up with a rigid ride. The MDX — both versions — is one of the most-eager-to-corner crossovers you'll find, but it's also one of the most pleasant long-haulers you'll ever drive.
Especially if you choose to buy the available front-seat massagers.
At the Curb
The MDX is midsize (198.4 inches long) and (unlike the about-the-same-size Lexus RX) comes standard with a third row. It is not a very roomy third row, but it does offer extra seats for two or three kids, and that makes the MDX more practical than two-row-only luxury-brand crossovers in this price range, like the RX350. Another potential cross-shop, the Genesis GV80, is available with a third row, but it costs extra (and the GV80 starts out several thousand dollars pricier than the Acura).
Another thing you may like about the MDX relative to some of the others in the class is that its styling is quieter. It doesn't look angry — like someone just insulted it — as some of the others in the class do.
Describing any luxury-brand vehicle as a bargain is considered insulting in some quarters but that's not where the smart money's at. Would you feel insulted if you got a first-class seat on a flight for the cost of business?
Well, that's what you're getting here. The MDX is only a bit more expensive than loaded-up iterations of non-luxury-brand crossovers, such as Mazda's CX90 (which is a very nice rig, by the way), and much less expensive than comparably equipped luxury-brand rivals, such as the BMW X5 and Genesis GV80.
A particular high point is that the MDX comes standard with an excellent (11-speaker) audio system; it's often the case that you have to pay extra for an equivalent — or buy a higher trim.
On the other hand, the base trim limits you to a few grayscale colors — and some of them cost $600 extra too. And if you want the even-more-excellent 19-speaker B&O audio rig, you have to buy the Technology Package, which bumps the price up to $57,200. This package does bundle a bunch of other things, though — including additional insulation, laminated side glass, real leather upholstery and rear sunshades.
The Rest
The MDX is something of a rarity because it is something of a straggler. The 2026 MDX is basically the same as the 2022 MDX and even though that's only four years ago, much has changed in this segment, especially under the hood. Almost all the new designs have replaced their previously standard sixes with fours — and they also have more "technology" that badgers you about your driving habits.
The MDX doesn't do that as much — and it also has more under its hood for less.
It also still has paddle-style controls for the climate controls so you don't have to tap/swipe icons on the touch screen to adjust the cabin temperature.
The Bottom Line
This year is probably the last year before Acura updates the MDX. Might want to get one before they do.
Eric's latest book, "Doomed: Good Cars Gone Wrong!" will be available soon. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
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