Acura MDX Type S

For the first time in Acura history, there is a Type S SUV in the stable, and the first-ever MDX Type S, based on the fourth-generation MDX, promises sportscar-like thrills in SUV packaging. Does every speedo boy in America want a Type S SUV? Do they? Let's find out.

2022 Acura MDX Type S

Priced at $66,700 plus additional costs, the MDX Type S is the first SUV that has worn the Type S label since it came back from today's TLX sedan. Like the TLX Type S, the MDX Type S features sports-tuned dynamics, SH-AWD, and a turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine that sounds like music to their ears. More with that later on.

To differentiate itself from the normal MDX, the Type S features sporty styling, quad exhausts, 21-inch alloy wheels wrapped in wide-performance tires, a choice of Orchid and Azurite Blue leather, and available 16-way power front seats with 9 massage modes, delivering a premium feel to a sporty crossover that is burgeois to compare to Acura's greatest hits.

Like the TLX Type S, the MDX Type S is powered by a turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine that produces 355HP of power, and 354lb-ft of torque, and while mated to a 10-speed AT as well as VCM, it has 19MPG of combined fuel economy. It's capable of towing up to 5,000 lbs of payload.

Underneath, the MDX Type S features double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, allowing this crossover to handle like a sportscar at ease. Exclusive to the MDX Type S is the Dynamic Air Suspension that can be adjusted based on different configurations. It can be raised via Lift mode or lowered via Sport mode.

If the TLX Type S is the antithesis to the Audi S4, then the MDX Type S is the antithesis to, let's say, the Audi SQ5. With such performance, looks like we're itching to drive this Type S crossover someday. Like it or not, this Type S crossover could be the go-to SUV you want to have someday.

Photo: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Fourth Generation Acura MDX

The all-new, fourth-generation, Acura MDX crossover has arrived with some nearly improved looks, a new interior, new tech, and more importantly, improved performance that makes customers scratching heads for more answers at the moment they got their hands on. So, what's it all about the new MDX?

Priced at 46,900 US Dollars plus additional costs, the all-new, fourth-generation MDX is a step forward for the best-seller that enjoys spitting its saliva to the face of the Audi Q5 and that's quite a surprise for those squinting their eyes towards this new model.

Acura went crazy over the publicity of the new model, saying it traces its roots from their popular sports cars such as the Integra and the NSX, as well as their success in motorsports including IMSA. They call this heritage, I called it a symbolic pain in the butt because of the dynamics that are not sportscar material...or is it?

The Prototype version gave Acura fans a glimpse of what the new MDX looked like and with the production version, it's nearly similar to the prototype, which is relatively superior by the looks of it. From the signature precision grille, sharp-looking headlamps that are no longer a threat to people with trypophobia, sharp sidelines, and the rear lamps inspired from the second-generation TLX saloon. Clearly, you can refer to it as a TLX with some extra seats at the back, but that would be nuts to call it for a seven-seater SUV that brags about its sportscar-like performance.

Come inside, you will be greeted by its driver-oriented interior that not only looks good to the driver behind the wheel but also the passengers sitting on it. Of course, while it features some of the show-off stuff worth toying around such as the Dynamic Mode switch, ambient lighting, AcuraLink, smartphone connectivity, ELS STUDIO 3D premium audio system, and so on, the new MDX still works as a family car, although the third-row seating's a bit cramped just like the one found in the Honda CR-V. Even the removable middle seat at the second-row couldn't help it. Still, even with the third-row seats present, the new MDX still has room for today's grocery list and if you need to store more in case you're using this crossover for your delivery work, you can fold the seats down and you have a workhorse that is capable of storing up to 95 cubic feet of stuff. It's a crossover that is great for men of all walks of life.

Now, we get to know more about its performance and why Acura's hellbent on tracing the MDX's performance to their iconic sportscars in an absurd manner.

Under the hood, the new MDX is powered by a 3.5L V6 engine producing 290HP of power and 267lb-ft of torque while mated to a ten-speed automatic gearbox. Despite being more powerful than the new TLX, it couldn't keep up against it due to the weight but on the plus side, that performance gives the new MDX up to 3,500lbs of towing, which is great for towing your NSX on your next track day. As for fuel economy, the new MDX delivers an EPA-estimated mileage of 22 MPG combined.

Apart from the performance, the new MDX is the first Acura SUV to have a new double-wishbone front suspension and in addition to its ultra-rigid chassis, variable-ratio steering with new electric power steering, and its bespoke platform, it's no wonder why Acura bragged the new MDX into thinking that this three-row crossover has the dynamics of their iconic sportscars and although it's hard buying into this nonsense, it really showcases its sporty and lively character from within and when you toy around with the Integrated Dynamics System, you'll find plenty of reasons to enjoy it.

Having satisfied with the improved dynamics this crossover delivers, the new MDX features a wide array of safety tech under the AcuraWatch banner such as Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist System, Pedestrian Detection, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Traffic Jam Assist, among many others worth noticing about.

It's absurd to call the MDX the crossover inspired by Acura's greatest sports cars in such as the Integra and the NSX but this crossover sure knows how fun it can be when you give it a spin. Either way, this new MDX is a major improvement compared to the previous model and until the time comes that it spawned a sporty Type S variant, looks like Acura's on the roll now.

Photo: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Third Generation Acura MDX

2014 Acura MDX

Well, what we have here is an Acura MDX except that now, it's been regenerated to a completely different look and for the all-new, third-generation model, I can easily confuse it to its little brother, the RDX. How confusing is the new model? Well, beginning to the design department, and at first glance, it really looks like an Acura RDX enlarged by some kind of "growth ray" or something, and on the back, the rear lamps were designed to look like the ones as seen on the RLX flagship model and then there are Acura's new signature Jewel Eye headlamps which is kinda irritating for those who had Trypophobia.

If you don't know what that is, it's about fear of clustered holes. It's not classified yet but once you see one, you'll feeling nauseous, your skin crawls, your stomach turns, and you might be skipping lunch today. That's exactly what it feels like when you take a peek over the Jewel Eye headlamps. Ooohh.... I really don't want to peek over these headlamps in case I had the bad case of trypophobia!

2014 Acura MDX

Whatever that is, this new MDX is not suitable for those who had trypophobia because of its jewel eye headlamps and whoever has a fear of that kind should consider not to look at one or they'll be skipping lunch for today. However, don't be fooled thinking that this feels more of a regular crossover rather than a luxury crossover because from what Acura said, the new model is now lighter from the previous models' 4,548 - 4,588lbs to 4,025-4,103lbs (FWD) and 4,255-4,322lbs for the SH-AWD model.

Just how did Acura manage to drop such weight? Well, what Acura did to this new model is by making it rigid and using high-strength steel. Previous incarnations rely on an existing Global Light Truck Platform but for this new model, it's an all-original one and it's made from scratch rather than reusing that existing platform because of what Acura said in the development of the new MDX, they had enough of that. Yep. They have had it and decided to make the new model out of a new platform rather than relying on the old platform.

The use of a new original platform really makes the MDX, Acura's best-selling crossover in America, made even more distinguishable and when equipped with the SH-AWD system, this is even much better than the front-wheel-drive model because with the SH-AWD, it kinda feels like the old Honda Legend in so many ways except this is a crossover with the right kind of drivetrain. This is quite a recommendation here because a new MDX with the SH-AWD layout should be more forgiving and more civilized. Sadly though, there is a "but"...

The old 3.7L V6 has now been thrown away and went back to a 3.5L V6 engine but now with added gasoline direct injection. It develops 290HP of power, 10 less than the old one but because it's lighter than the old model, 0-60mph takes under seven seconds, while mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission. For fuel consumption, well, thanks to its weight loss, the EPA estimated MPG is now 27MPG highway on the SH-AWD model and 28MPG highway on the front-wheel-drive model.

I once checked the previous MDX a couple of years ago and when it went through our Car Town garage since last year, I carefully examined about why the MDX is all about practicality and convenience, making it a state-of-the-art Togetherness. For this new model, it still has state-of-the-art togetherness even in its newly regenerated look.

2014 Acura MDX interior

2014 Acura MDX interior

But all this newly regenerated look do come with the price, it's available for 42,290 US Dollars but when you go through the packages list, and whichever package you chose, you can expect a host of additional features to choose from such as:

• Acura Navigation System
• Voice Recognition & Song by Voice
• AcuraLink with Real-Time Traffic
• Blind Spot Information System
• Forward Collision Warning System
• Lane Departure Warning System
• ELS Studio Premium Audio System
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio & HD Radio
• Rear-door Smart Entry
• GPS-linked Temperature Control
• 19-inch wheels & Puddle lights
• Acura DVD Rear Entertainment System (RES)
• 9-inch overhead screen
• Front center console 110-volt power outlet
• Wireless headphones and remote
• Rear-door window shades
• Tri-level heated 2nd-row outboard seats
• Ceiling-mounted center speaker
• Perforated Milano leather-trimmed 1st & 2nd row seats
• 6-level heated & ventilated front seats
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) w/ Low Speed Follow
• Collision Mitigation Braking System
• Lane Keeping Assist System
• Remote Engine Start
• RES with 16.2-inch overhead screen and HDMI input
• Two ceiling-mounted center speakers
• Auto-dimming side mirrors
• Front and rear parking sensors

Well, for starters, when you have over 60 grand on your wallet, you can go for the MDX with Advance and Entertainment Packages because of the dual-screen rear monitor where two screens are in one monitor rather than separated from the seats so kids can enjoy two movies in one monitor. What I don't want to expect is to have one little 10 year-older watching a kids cartoon while an unruly 18-year-old teenage girl watching a horror movie on one side. Ooohh...that's going to be a hassle and that poor kid can't concentrate watching his favorite cartoon while a super gory horror movie on one side is on the mix. He he he....

And there we are, the all-new 2014 MDX may have terribly confusing looks and the headlamps not suitable for those with Trypophobia as well as the front-wheel drive's frustration but with the reduced weight, the forgiving SH-AWD, and the dual-screen rear monitor which is part of a package that costs you under 60 grand, it's really not that bad.

Available Colors: White Diamond Pearl, Silver Moon, Graphite Luster Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Fathom Blue Pearl, Forest Mist Metallic, and Dark Cherry Pearl.

Photo: Acura