Acura MDX (2025) Review

The MDX is the sensible luxury three row, which is a smaller category than it should be. Underneath it is closely related to the Honda Pilot, so parts availability, service costs and mechanical simplicity all work in your favour, and reliability records are better than the German field even if they trail Lexus. The Super Handling all wheel drive system genuinely vectors torque across the rear axle and gives the car real agility for its size, the 3.5 litre V6 is smooth and quiet, and the Type S with its turbo six and air suspension is a properly quick and comfortable thing.

Interior quality is good, particularly the seats and the audio system. The interface is the recurring complaint. Acura's touchpad controller maps absolute positions on the pad to the screen, and years after launch it remains distracting and unintuitive in a way a touchscreen would not be. The third row is tight, economy from the V6 is unremarkable, and resale sits mid pack because the badge lacks the pull of its rivals. Good engineering, undermined by one stubborn decision.