2020 Acura MDX

At times the MDX disappoints a section of people with its interiors which feels dated. Overall, this SUV is a worthy contender in the luxury SUV segment. There are two engine options to choose from: a 3.5-liter V6 that powers the base version while the optional gasoline-electric hybrid gets powered by a 3.0-liter V6 engine. The hybrid version offers a better fuel economy and quicker acceleration. All MDXs are assembled with Acura’s sophisticated Super All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) system.

The 2020 Acura MDX offers a seating capacity of up to seven. It's offered in four trim levels, also termed as packages, which are: Standard, Technology, Advance, and A-Spec. The Standard and Technology MDXs come sufficiently equipped, while the Advance package comes with a wide range of features quintessential for an SUV of this class. A-Spec is an appearance package and offers major cosmetic refinement to the car.

All of the above trims or packages, as you prefer to call them, are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that churns out 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with either a front- or an all-wheel-drive configuration. The Sport Hybrid is offered with a smaller 3.0-liter V6 in conjunction with three electric motors (combined 321 hp, 289 lb-ft). This engine is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Trims	Standard	Technology Package	A-Spec Package	Advance Package	Entertainment Package
Starting Price	$44,300	$49,300	$54,800	$56,050	$51,300
Key Features	Jewel Eye LED Headlights	9-inch full VGA Screen	LED Foglights	LED Foglights	16.2 Ultra-Wide Full VGA Screen with Split Screen Capability
	Moonroof with Tilt and Slide Function	Rear Door sunshades	A-Spec Badge on front fenders and Tailgate	Automatic Dimming Side Mirrors	Second Row Bench Seating
	Power-operated Tailgate	Second-row captain's chairs	Dark chrome and Lighting details	Heated Second-row captain's chairs	12th Speaker for improved Surround sound
	Capless Fuel Fill	Removable ceiling mounted remote control	A-Spec exclusive dual exhaust outlets	Roof Rails	HDMI Compatibility
	Acoustic Windshield and Front Side Glass	11th Speaker for improved Surround sound	Leather-wrapped A-Spec Steering Wheel	Heated and Ventilated front seats
	Smart Entry	Front center console 110-volt power outlet		Heated Steering Wheel
	Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
	Acura Premium Audi System with 8 speakers
	Siri Eyes Free
	Sirius XM Satellite Radio
	Acura Watch of Driver Assist Features
	Heated Side Mirrors with Reverse-Gear Tilt down

We Recommend

Acura is known for offering cars with a single trim but allows the buyers to upgrade their vehicles as per their liking with a wide array of available optional packages. The stock MDX comes well equipped as it is, but we would recommend the Technology package that adds to the driver aids and safety features like blind-spot monitoring, lane assist, and a navigation system to start with. If you want a better driving experience, opt for the all-wheel driven MDX that helps enhance the stability and handling of the car.

"The 2020 MDX delivers a comfortable ride and offers a relatively fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain." - carconnection

Engine and Transmission

The standard 3.5 Liter naturally aspirated V6 engine delivers 290 hp at 6200 rpm and 267 pounds-feet of torque at 4700 rpm. Mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, the power delivery is smooth and quiet during regular driving conditions. However, you step hard on the gas, it emits a refined and remarkable roar that is sure to make you smile. 

 

The transmission turns out to be slow in certain situations, especially when you seek light acceleration as the transmission gets confused with the frequent shiftings. 

Models	Acura MDX SUV	Volvo XC90 T5 Momentum SUV	Audi Q7 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV	Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring SUV	BMW X5 xDrive 40i Sports Activity Vehicle	Mercedes GLE 400 4Matic SUV
MSRP	$44,300	$47,200	$53,550	$41,835	$60,700	$56,695
Engine	3.5L V6	2.0L i4	2.0L i4	2.5L i4	2.0L i6	3.0L V6
Transmission	9 Speed automatic	8 Speed automatic	8 Speed automatic	6 Speed automatic	8 Speed automatic	9 Speed automatic
Horsepower	290 hp@ 6200rpm	250 hp@ 5500rpm	252 hp@ 5000rpm	227 hp@ 5000rpm	335 hp@ 5500rpm	329 hp@ 5250 rpm
Torque	267 ft-lbs@ 4700rpm	258 ft-lbs@ 1500rpm	273 ft-lbs@ 1600rpm	310 ft-lbs@ 2000rpm	330 ft-lbs@ 1500rpm	354 ft-lbs@ 1600rpm

Acceleration

Acceleration of the 2020 MDX is confident and smooth. This car sprints to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds, which is considerably quicker than the Infiniti QX60 and the Lexus RX 350L. It is slower than rivals that come equipped with supercharged or turbocharged six-cylinder engines.

Models	Acura MDX SUV	Volvo XC90 T5 Momentum SUV	Audi Q7 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV	Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring SUV	BMW X5 xDrive 40i Sports Activity Vehicle	Mercedes GLE 400 4Matic SUV
0-60 MPH	6.3 sec	7.5 sec	5.9 sec	7 sec	5.3 sec	N/A
Quarter mile	N/A	15.3 sec	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Engine	3.5L V6	2.0L i4	2.0L i4	2.5L i4	2.0L i6	3.0L V6
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	N/A	N/A	N/A	7.4	N/A	N/A

Braking and Handling

The brake pedal feels light and the application is easy due to the predictable modulation. The MDX takes 121 feet to come to a complete from 60 mph. There are three steering mode settings to choose from. The Normal setting strikes a nice balance between agility and precision, while Sports stiffens the steering offering better stability at high speeds. The third is the Comfort mode that loosens the steering and is perfect to tackle the daily city traffic.

Model	Acura MDX SUV	Volvo XC90 T5 Momentum SUV	Audi Q7 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV	Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring SUV	BMW X5 xDrive 40i Sports Activity Vehicle	Mercedes GLE 400 4Matic SUV
Brake Front (in.)	12.6	13.2	14.8	12.6	N/A	13
Brake Rear (in.)	13	12.1	13.8	12.8	N/A	12.8
Curb Weight (lbs.)	4032	4771	4696	4217	4813	4751
60-0 MPH (ft.)	116	113	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

The torque-vectoring AWD system is quite impressive. It reduces understeer and allows this big SUV to move around corners when you really push it. In most situations, the MDX lacks the sportiness of a regular SUV, but it makes up for it with its composed ride quality. The All-Wheel-Drive system is designed for better terrain exploration, which is hard to find in a luxury-oriented SUV of this class. However, it lacks hill descent control.

Towing Capacity

This SUV can tow up to 3500 pounds. Meanwhile, Volvo XC90 and Audi Q7 offer a towing capacity of 4000 and 4400 pounds respectively. The BMW X5 can tow up to 6600 pounds and Mercedes GLE 400 is the champion with a towing capacity of 7200 pounds.

Model	Acura MDX SUV	Volvo XC90 T5 Momentum SUV	Audi Q7 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV	Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring SUV	BMW X5 xDrive 40i Sports Activity Vehicle	Mercedes GLE 400 4Matic SUV
Towing Capacity (lbs)	3500	4000	4400	3500	6600	7200

The 2020 MDX with front-wheel drive is rated at 20 mpg for the city, 27 mpg for the highway, combined figure of 23 mpg. All-wheel-drive models lose 1 mpg all across the board. The A-Spec package knocks those numbers further down to 19/25/21 mpg.

These numbers put the MDX right in the mix with its rivals. The Volvo XC90 is rated at 24 mpg combined.

Model	Acura MDX SUV	Volvo XC90 T5 Momentum SUV	Audi Q7 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV	Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring SUV	BMW X5 xDrive 40i Sports Activity Vehicle	Mercedes GLE 400 4Matic SUV
MPG (city)	20	21	19	22	18	17
MPG (highway)	27	29	25	28	24	23
MPG (combined)	23	24	21	24	20	20

"The third row will suit only kids and perhaps adults of short stature. Still, it's better than the third rows of some other luxury SUVs. The front seats feel spacious in every dimension, but headroom in the second row is surprisingly tight." - Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

The cabin of the all-new  MDX is reasonably spacious. The third row is optional but more usable than most of the cars in the select league. However, cars such as the Honda Pilot are still more practical. Clever single-press buttons slide the 2nd-row seats for third-row access, but the resulting pass-through is not wide enough for adults. Otherwise, the ingress and egress to and from the front and second-row seats is easier in comparison to other cars in the segment.

A highly adjustable driver's seat and a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column are available as standard on all MDX models. Hence, you will be able to find a comfortable position. The third row is best reserved for kids and perhaps adults of short heights. The front seats are spacious in every dimension, but the headroom in the second row is limited.

Model	Acura MDX SUV	Volvo XC90 T5 Momentum SUV	Audi Q7 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV	Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring SUV	BMW X5 xDrive 40i Sports Activity Vehicle	Mercedes GLE 400 4Matic SUV
Passenger capacity	7	7	7	7	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.1/61.1/41.4	38.9/57.7/40.9	38.4/59.5/41.7	39.3/57.9/41.0	40.8/60/39.8	38.9/58.5/40.3
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.3/59.1/36.6	38.5/56.5/37.0	38.8/58.5/38.8	38.5/58.1/39.4	38.7/58.1/37.4	38.5/58.4/38.4

Infotainment system

An 8-inch screen is standard that comes with inbuilt navigation and Apple CarPlay & Android Auto compatibility. There is also Voice recognition and Siri hands-free functionality. The audio is taken care of by a 10 Speaker ELS Speaker system. You will also get Sirius XM HD radio access. As for old school connectivity, you have 4 USB ports and an Aux port along with Bluetooth.  

Cargo volume

The Acura MDX comes with a three-row seating configuration, so the desire for good cargo space remains unfulfilled. The MDX offers a cargo volume of 15 cubic feet, which is very less in comparison to all of its rivals.

Model	Acura MDX SUV	Volvo XC90 T5 Momentum SUV	Audi Q7 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV	Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring SUV	BMW X5 xDrive 40i Sports Activity Vehicle	Mercedes GLE 400 4Matic SUV
Cargo Volume (cu. ft)	15.0	41.8	14.8	14.4	33.9	38.2

Interior Features

• 2 Rear Headrests
• Rear Door Child Safety Locks
• Turn Signal Mirrors
• Daytime Running Lights
• Engine Immobilizer
• Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags
• Stability Control
• Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation
• Rear Height Adjustable Headrests
• Remote Anti-Theft Alarm System
• 2 Front Headrests
• Front, Rear, and Third Row Head Airbags
• Pre-Collision Safety System
• Rear Center 3-Point Belt
• Post-Collision Safety System
• Child Seat Anchors

"The 2020 Acura MDX is surprisingly well-equipped out the gate.The front seats benefit from 14-way-power adjustment for driver and 12-way for the passenger. Also appreciated is a power-adjustable steering wheel." - Kelley Blue Book

Design and Styling

The exterior shell of the 2020 Acura MDX is a great amalgamation of elegance and toughness. It looks luxurious and is practical. Just like all other Acura cars, this flagship SUV got the attractive diamond-pentagon grille, and the Jewel Eye LED headlights are just breathtakingly beautiful. Roof rails add more glamour and utility to MDX. Hybrid versions of MDX look similar to the standard version. The new, sportier Acura MDX A-Spec gets 20-inch wheels that half-inch wider than the standard model, bolder front fascia, larger-diameter exhaust finishers, and gloss-black accents.

Model	Acura MDX SUV	Volvo XC90 T5 Momentum SUV	Audi Q7 2.0 TFSI Premium SUV	Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring SUV	BMW X5 xDrive 40i Sports Activity Vehicle	Mercedes GLE 400 4Matic SUV
Curb weight (lbs.)	4032	4771	4696	4217	4813	4751
Length(in)	196.2	194.9	199.6	199.4	194.3	189.1
Width(in)	77.7	79.1	77.5	77.5	78.9	78.9
Height(in)	67.4	69.9	68.5	69.0	69	70.7
Ground clearance (in)	7.3	9.4	8.1	8.8	8.5	7.2
Wheelbase (in)	111.0	117.5	117.9	115.3	117.1	114.8
Track width (in) F/R	66.3/66.3	65.7/65.8	66.1/66.6	65.3/65.2	66.1/66.9	64.9/65.2

External Features

• ​​​Jewel Eye Headlights with Auto On/Off Function
• 20” Alloy Wheels
• Powered Moon Roof
• Remote Linked Power Operated Tail Gate
• Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers
• LED Puddle Lights, Fog Lights, Taillights and Puddle Lights
• Auto-Dimming, Heated and Powered ORVM’s with Integrated LED Turn Signals
• Roof Rails

The 2020 MDX scored an overall crash test rating of five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rewarded the MDX the highest rating of Good in its five crash tests.

Safety Features

• Driver Air Bag
• Passenger Air Bag
• Front Head Air Bag
• Rear Head Air Bag
• Front Side Air Bag
• 4-Wheel ABS
• 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
• Brake Assist
• Electronic Stability Control
• Daytime Running Lights
• Child Safety Locks
• Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors
• Traction Control
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Keeping Assist

Acura MDX VS Volvo XC90

The Volvo XC90 is quite similar to the MDX in multiple aspects. The Acura offers a more engaging ride quality while the Volvo has a more lavish cabin. The XC90 offers the best in class cargo space and can boast of more premium features. Acura, on the other hand, is a better investment of your money as it generally gets good resale values. Thus it depends on your choices and priorities as both of these cars are better than the other in their own rights.

Acura MDX VS Audi Q7

The front and mid seat belts of the Audi Q7 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and remove slack in the event of a collision and force prohibiters limit the pressure the belts. This is the level of intricate detailing you get with the German manufacturer. The Q7 45 TFSI's standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 6 lbs.-ft more torque (273 vs. 267) than the MDX's standard 3.5 SOHC V6 engine. The Q7 55 TFSI's standard 3.0 supercharged V6 powertrain churns out 8 hp more horsepower (329 vs. 321) and 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (325 vs. 289) in comparison to the MDX Sport Hybrid's standard 3.0 SOHC V6 hybrid. Thus, if sheer luxury and raw power are your desires, then the car with 4 rings on the grille is the car for you.  

The 2020 Acura MDX is one of the best suited midsized luxury SUVs in the class. It offers robust performance and an upmarket interior loaded with a bunch of value-added features. It's rated as better than most cars by JD Power with a total score of 81 out of 100. Thus, if you seek a 3-row luxury SUV with an array of safety features, a big list of amenities, good power, and a decent reputation, choose the 2020 Acura MDX.

 

FAQs

How reliable is the Acura MDX?

Being a Honda at heart, Acura is a very reliable brand. The 2020 MDX has been rated 81 out of 100 by JD Power. 

 

What is the cost of ownership of the Acura MDX?

The estimated cost of ownership of the 2020 Acura MDX over the next 5 years will be around $50k.

 

What are the warranty features?

• The limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 6 years or 70,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

Will I get a good resale value?

All the Acura cars are known to fetch good resale values. So relax!