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1955 Ford Crown Victoria2023 Acura MDX Review
What do our experts think of the 2023 Acura MDX? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s New for the 2023 Acura MDX?
The 2023 Acura MDX features two engines to choose from along with front or all-wheel drive. Buyers can select from six trims or packages as Acura calls them. All are equipped with excellent luxury features in the cabin along with outstanding convenience features and advanced safety technology that make every journey more enjoyable. After entering the current generation in 2022, Acura has left the 2023 model virtually unchanged.
2023 Acura MDX – acura.com | Shop 2023 Acura MDX on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Lots of luxury
Advanced interior tech
Good ride quality
Infotainment touchpad is frustrating
Cramped third row
Meh fuel economy
We’d love a hybrid
2023 MDX Specs
- 290 horsepower from base engine
- 267 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- 18.1 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 95 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- 5,000-pound towing capacity
- Standard 12.3-inch infotainment screen
- Five-star crash test rating
- Six-year powertrain warranty
2023 Acura MDX Powertrain
The standard powertrain in the 2023 Acura MDX is a 3.5L V6 that sends power to the front wheels only (FWD) via a 10-speed automatic transmission. The engine itself is a carryover from the last MDX generation and, generally speaking, it’s good. It makes 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. The only marks against it are a slight dip in refinement when compared to its rivals and a bit less power too. Still, we think that the V6 is more than good enough to serve as the base mill for the MDX. It gets up to speed quick enough and the new transmission is buttery smooth through all 10 gears.
The Type S trim level is what enthusiasts will want though. It carries a turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine that packs an additional 65 horsepower and 87 lb-ft of torque under the hood. This engine also only sends power to all four wheels (AWD). Non-Type S models can also be equipped with AWD as an option, but it’s put to its best use here. The MDX Type S launches from zero to 60 mph in as little as 5.5-seconds, which is sports-car fast these days. Acura has also managed to toe the line between both agile handling and a comfortable ride.
Towing & Payload
Every 2023 Acura MDX can tow at least 3,500-pounds, which is solid for an SUV of this size and luxury. The Type S with its additional power and standard AWD can pull a maximum of 5,000 pounds, making it quite capable for those that need additional storage or those that want to haul weekend toys around.
2023 Acura MDX Fuel Economy & MPG
The 2023 Acura MDX has EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Add AWD to the mix and those numbers drop by a single digit. The turbocharged model falls further to 17 mpg and 21 mpg respectively. We hope to see Acura reintroduce a hybrid sooner rather than later.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Unquestionably, the best aspect of the 2023 Acura MDX is its interior design. From a seating standpoint it’s very comfortable and supportive while it also provides excellent visibility for the driver. The leather upholstery looks fantastic too.
The second row seats can recline and slide for additional comfort. Owners can also remove the middle seat to make passing into the third row even easier. The third row is really our only gripe as it’s not sized appropriately for anybody but the vertically challenged. Nevertheless, the rest of the cabin will have most buyers more than overjoyed.
The dash and other panels feature French-stitched leather trim, open-pore wood, metal, and piano-black accents. Ergonomically, it’s an outstanding setting and we really love the high-quality switchgear on the steering wheel, the center console, and the doors. Small touches like the center armrest, the wireless charging pad, and the rear-seat climate controls make the MDX one of our favorites.
Entertainment & Technology
The one spot where this SUV struggles is with regard to its infotainment system. The Acura MDX user interface is controlled through a touchpad in the center console and it’s somewhat infuriating. Not only is it tricky to use, but the system itself doesn’t respond as quickly or accurately as we expect from a vehicle of this price or decade for that matter. Still, it’s not all bad news.
Visually, the system looks terrific. Once you get used to its controls it has a bevy of excellent features that we’re sure buyers will love. Thankfully, Acura has included physical buttons, switches, and knobs for the most important features like climate control, volume, and drive modes.
Safety Features
The NHTSA awarded the MDX five stars in its crash testing. The IIHS gave it a Top Safety Pick + award too. That’s high praise and is only bolstered by the fact that every MDX comes with adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automated emergency braking, and more advanced driver assistance technology.
2023 Acura MDX Trims & Pricing
Base – $49,195
The most basic 2023 Acura MDX still gets 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, tri-zone climate control, a digital driver information display, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, simulated leather upholstery, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, nine speakers, a wireless charging pad, Wi-Fi connectivity, and heated front seats.
Technology – $52,625
This trim adds parking sensors, 20-inch wheels, leather upholstery, a 12-speaker ELS audio system, integrated navigation, custom ambient interior lighting, and rear-window sunshades.
A-Spec – $58,125
Consider this the sporty non-turbo version of the MDX with its flat-bottomed steering wheel, sporty exterior trim, ventilated front seats, faux suede seat inserts, 16 speakers, and a cabin intercom.
Advance – $61,675
This trim includes roof rails, heated second-row seats, a heads-up display, remote start, adaptive suspension dampers, a heated steering wheel, upgraded front seats, a surround-view camera system, a household-style power outlet, and third-row USB power points.
Type S – $67,745
Aside from dropping the turbocharged engine under the hood of this MDX and adding standard AWD, the Type S trim also adds 21-inch wheels, Brembo brakes, and special settings for the transmission and suspension. Otherwise it’s equipped similarly to the A-Spec.
Type S Advance – $72,700
This top trim adds the Advance trim features to the powerful drivetrain from the standard Type S.
Warranties
The 2023 Acura MDX is covered by a limited warranty for four years or 50,000 miles. In addition, the powertrain is covered for a total of six years or 70,000 miles. That’s above average for the segment, but other brands like Genesis offer complimentary maintenance and a longer warranty period.
What we think
2023 Acura MDX – acuranews.com | Shop 2023 Acura MDX on Carsforsale.com
The 2023 Acura MDX isn’t a perfect SUV. Despite that, we think it’s very worthy of consideration for buyers in the market. It’s incredibly comfortable, well-appointed with luxury and technology, and it drives pretty well too. Upper trim levels can get quite pricey, but the lower ones can offer a great value for money.
