Review Roundup: 2022 Acura MDX | Maus Acura of North Tampa

The all-new, fourth generation Acura MDX is here and the expert evaluations are in! Acura’s luxurious three-row SUV boasts a stronger, all-new chassis, roomy and elegant interior, excellent tech and safety suite, double-wishbone front suspension, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and is designed and built in Ohio – all top features Kelley Blue Book notes. Here’s what a few of the top automotive research companies had to say about the 2022 MDX.

A Look Inside

Per Road Show by CNET, the new MDX has “much higher quality materials with premium Milano leather standard on most models and stitched, soft-touch surfaces covering all major touchpoints.” Kelley Blue Book notes: “With its added size, the 2022 Acura MDX is a bit roomier in each of its three rows. The MDX dash, with its large digital instrument panel and prominent horizontal infotainment screen, is handsome. It’s a luxurious cabin, for sure, and the quality of the leather, wood, and aluminum trim in the Advance model sampled by KBB was top notch.”

The physical volume knob on the new MDX’s center console is much appreciated, Kelley Blue Book said, along with the accompanying rocker switch for changing stations. “And speaking of easy, the MDX’s standard new onboard Amazon Alexa allows you to ask all sorts of questions without taking your eyes off the road. You can even ask about the MDX itself and say something like this: ‘Hey, Alexa: Tell me about your True Touchpad Interface.’ It’s seamless, just like the operation of the standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.”

“Acura also outfitted the MDX with plenty of creature comforts, such as dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and leather upholstery,” writes Car and Driver. “The front seats are supportive and comfortable and can be equipped with niceties such as 16-way power adjustability as well as massage.” High Tech – CNET writes, “The 2022 MDX is jammed full of good stuff, starting with a new 12.3-inch configurable gauge cluster, featuring different themes for each driving mode. There’s an available head-up display and Acura’s latest infotainment system is housed on a 12.3-inch center screen. The infotainment system is rich with features including a nice-sounding ELS audio setup and a Wi-Fi hotspot. There’s also plenty of power points including a standard wireless charge pad, 12-volt sockets and USB-A and USB-C ports sprinkled throughout the cabin.”

Performance and Luxury

“The 2022 is noticeably more agile,” Road Show by CNET states. “There’s less roll at turn in, steering response is snappier with some real feedback through the wheel, and the SUV generally feels better planted through corners and confidently slows under braking. Honestly, the MDX doesn’t feel like a 4,500-pound crossover most of the time. The MDX is more than happy to tackle twisty roads with some pep in its step. In addition to better handling, the ride quality is more comfortable. Quieter, too.” Accessing the third row, Road Show by CNET says, remains quite easy with the one-touch sliding middle seats that flip and move forward, or you can remove the new second row’s middle seat for a walkway to the rear.

The Advance trim, Kelley Blue Book notes, is graced with open-pore wood trim, a 10.5-inch head-up display, a surround-view camera, a hand’s free power tailgate, roof rails, and even outer door handles with LED lighting. “It also has massaging 16-way power front seats, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, an AC outlet in the 2nd row, a pair of USB ports in the third row, and a concert-quality ELS audio system with 16 speakers. Note to kids: If you download the CabinControl smartphone app, you can use your phone from your back-seat position to adjust the MDX’s audio settings, rear climate control, navigation, and even the position of the overhead sunshade.”

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

According to Car and Driver, Acura has been adding more and more standard driver-assistance tech to its cars, and the new MDX provides several desirable features such as standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and standard adaptive cruise control. KBB says, “Safety is addressed not just by the stronger new chassis, but also by AcuraWatch. This standard safety suite includes a forward-collision warning, road-departure mitigation, a blind-spot monitor, a rear cross-traffic monitor, and a driver attention monitor.”

Final Overview

Car and Driver writes, “Acura is on a tear updating its small lineup of cars and SUVs. Among them is the three-row MDX, whose recent overhaul brings lots of goodies. This SUV takes its handsome styling cues from the compact RDX SUV and TLX sedan, and the cabin boasts luxury materials and features worthy of the Acura’s premium badge. The base powertrain for this front-driver consists of a 290-hp 3.5-liter V-6 and a 10-speed automatic, and all-wheel drive is available. But select the performance-oriented Type S model and you’ll get a turbocharged 355-hp 3.0-liter V-6 and standard all-wheel drive.”