Detroit Free Press
2025 Acura MDX Review: 5 Reasons to Buy the Luxury SUV
The 2025 Acura MDX boasts significant upgrades, including an appealing new audio system and other features, enhancing what is already one of the most sought-after three-row luxury SUVs. Acura’s best-selling and most profitable vehicle since its debut in 2000, over 1.2 million MDXs have been sold by Honda’s luxury division.
Most changes involve exterior appearance and electronics, with the SUV’s sheet metal and drivetrain remaining largely untouched. I focused on the interior highlights, especially the improved controls and outstanding top-tier audio system when evaluating the well-equipped MDX Type S with the Advance package. Road testing included highways, city streets, and winding country roads north of San Diego on a bright summer day.
2025 Acura MDX: Trim Levels and Pricing (Excluding $1,350 Destination Charge)
- MDX FWD: $50,900 (AWD adds $1,200)
- MDX AWD: $53,100
- MDX FWD with Tech package: $56,300 (AWD adds $1,200)
- MDX A-Spec AWD: $61,500
- MDX AWD w/Advance package: $66,000
- MDX A-Spec AWD w/Advance package: $68,000
- MDX Type S AWD w/Advance package: $74,950
Acura MDX Competitors
Cadillac XT6, GMC Acadia, Genesis G80, Infiniti QX60, Lexus RX, Lincoln Aviator, Mazda CX-90, Volvo XC90
5 Great Features of the 2025 Acura MDX
Bang & Olufsen Audio
The Danish brand Bang & Olufsen is a new addition for Acura as the top audio supplier. The Type S features a standard 31-speaker system, which impressed with its clarity and immersive sound. It includes tweeters in the A-pillar – a B&O signature feature – and a dozen speakers in the headliner for three-dimensional surround sound. Aluminum speaker grilles contribute to the quality reproduction.
A slider adjusts the levels of immersion, from stereo to Dolby 7.4. Traditional tone controls are replaced by “Beosonic,” a touch screen feature that allows you to vary sound according to characteristics labeled bright, energetic, relaxed, and warm. I tended to trust the sound engineers and use the default settings, delivering a great listening experience at all volume levels. These adjustments will also satisfy drivers that prefer to manually adjust their audio experience.
Automatic Lane Change
This system measures the distances and speeds of approaching vehicles. The driver must hold the turn signal lightly—more than for the three-flash indication, but not enough to trigger the detent for a full turn. After a few miles of testing, the automatic lane change was intuitive. Tapping the indicator stalk, the instrument cluster acknowledged the request, and the wheel then rotated to guide the SUV into the next lane. The sensors judge the distance and pace of moving vehicles, refusing to initiate lane changes if space is insufficient. The automatic lane change is only operational on interstate highways.
Capacitive Steering Wheel Sensor
Most vehicles can assess whether the driver’s hands are on the wheel based on torque inputs: whether the driver is exerting any force on the steering wheel. This input is key to maintaining the light touch necessary for the automatic lane change feature. Capacitive sensors register the presence of human skin, making them harder to deceive and more accurate in recognizing a light touch.
Touch Screen Display
The 2025 MDX’s 12.3-inch touch screen is noticeably closer to the driver than the previous model’s screen. This is because the display is a touch screen, while the previous display used a touch pad on the center console, near the shifter and cupholders. Out of the driver’s line of sight and with an idiosyncratic operating system, the touch pad never worked as well as the new, easily viewed screen.
Google Built-In
The MDX uses Google’s connected navigation system and has access to apps from the Google store. Google’s voice recognition performed as expected. Apple CarPlay — and Google’s Android Auto — are also fully functional.
Safety and Driver Assist Features
- Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow and cornering speed assist
- Automatic front braking
- Active lane change assist
- Lane departure alert and assist
- Front and rear cross-traffic alert
- Blind spot alert
- Traffic sign recognition
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Automatic high beams
Performance, Power, and Efficiency
The MDX offers front- or all-wheel drive, a naturally aspirated or turbocharged 3.5L V6 engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Type S generates 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque from the turbocharged engine. Other models get 290 hp from the naturally aspirated engine. The tested top-of-the-line MDX Type S accelerated confidently and passed easily, with a quiet and comfortable interior.
Trimmed in black wood and leather and navy upholstery with white stitching, the front seat provided ample room and storage. Climate controls feature traditional buttons and toggles for key functions. Audio controls are integrated through the steering wheel and touch screen.
Acura anticipates fuel economy ratings of 17 mpg in the city, 21 highway, and 19 combined for the Type S. The less powerful, naturally aspirated engine should return 19/26/22 with front-drive and 19/25/21 with AWD. Acura recommends premium fuel for rated power and fuel economy.
Key Selling Points for the 2025 Acura MDX
- Available Bang & Olufsen audio
- Improved radars for blind spot and cross-traffic sensing
- Automatic lane change on interstate highways
- Capacitive steering wheel sensors
- 12.3-inch touch screen replaces touch pad
- Google built-in navigation and other connected services
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard
- New grille and fascia
Why Buy the 2025 Acura MDX?
The 2025 Acura MDX is a comfortable, familiar entry in the lower-luxury SUV class. The new features are welcome additions that will keep it competitive until an entirely new model arrives in a couple of years.
2025 Acura MDX: At a Glance
- Midsize luxury three-row SUV
- Front- or all-wheel drive
- Price range: $50,900-$74,950 (All prices exclude $1,350 destination charge)
- Model tested: AWD Type S with Advance package
- Price as tested: $74,950
- Powertrain: 3.5L turbocharged V6
- Output: 355 hp @ 5,500 rpm; 354 pound-feet of torque @ 1,400-5,000 rpm
- Transmission: 10-speed automatic
- Manufacturer-estimated fuel economy: 17 mpg city/21 highway/19 combined. 91 octane premium fuel recommended.
- Wheelbase: 113.8 inches
- Length: 198.4 inches
- Width: 78.7 inches
- Height: 67.9 inches
- Ground clearance: 7.3 inches
- EPA passenger volume: 139.1 cubic feet
- Cargo room: 16.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat; 39.1 behind the second row; 71.4 behind the front seat.
- Curb weight: 4,776 pounds
- Towing capacity: 5,000 pounds
- Assembled in East Liberty, Ohio
Mark Phelan
