2025 Acura MDX First Look Review: More Tech For Acura's Flagship Three-Row SUV – CarBuzz

The Acura MDX has been a favorite among the CarBuzz staff for a long time, especially in Type S guise, so it’s exciting that a new MDX has been revealed for 2025. The automaker calls it an extensive refresh of its best-selling SUV, but while the addition of new technology is substantial on the new model, the styling enhancements are not quite so in-your-face. New for the 2025 model year are top-end audio systems across the lineup, a quieter cabin, a new multimedia interface with Google built-in, and the debut of the brand’s AcuraWatch360 safety system, along with the merging of sporty and plush for the first time in the MDX lineup with the MDX A-Spec with Advance Package. Here’s a first look at Acura’s flagship three-row sports utility vehicle.

When Is The 2025 Acura MDX Coming Out?

The release date for the 2025 Acura MDX is set for this coming May when the first models will arrive in dealerships in the USA.

2025 Acura MDX Price and Competition

Despite giving us most information about the new Acura MDX SUV, the automaker hasn’t revealed what it will cost. With significant upgrades to onboard tech and styling elements, we expect an increase in the current model’s MSRP. For 2024, you’ll pay $50,150 for the entry-level trim and $68,450 for the Type S before options. The price of the 2025 Acura MDX could realistically start at $53k in the lower rung trims and breach $70k at the top.

When it comes to rivals for the Acura MDX, the Genesis GV80 and Infiniti QX60 are good contenders, along with the Volvo XC90 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. The GV80 is also getting a facelift for 2025, and while it may be more powerful at the top-end of the range, it’s also more expensive. Volvo’s XC90 remains an excellent alternative from a plush and comfortable cabin perspective, but it’s less athletic in most ways. Competitors from the Mercedes garage are priced higher but offer better performance, and, in our opinion, the MDX is one up on the Infiniti.

New Acura MDX Exterior and Colors

Changes to the exterior of the new Acura MDX are subtle; even though the automaker says it’s a more aggressive front fascia, it’s still the same look we know and love. There’s a new diamond pentagon grille with a bolder mesh pattern inside. This is flanked by darker headlights, and darker taillights bring up the rear. The signature four JewelEye LED headlights and Chicane DRLs are still recognizable.

In the wheel arches, there are redesigned 20-inch wheels, while the Type S gets model-specific 21-inch Berlina Black split-spoke wheels. The latter also gets an exclusive rear diffuser, large quad exhaust outlets, and red brake calipers to set it apart. The Type S’s grille also features an open-surface mesh grille, which is functional for more airflow into the engine. MDX A-Spec trims get blacked-out exterior treatment to help it appear sportier.

As for exterior colors, the 2025 Acura MDX has a few new additions to the palette: Canyon River Blue Metallic and Urban Gray are now available to lower-rung models while the Type S can be had in Urban Gray Pearl.

Acura MDX Dimensions

The dimensions of the 2025 Acura MDX aren’t any different from the previous model year, although we expect curb weight figures to be a little different thanks to the inclusion of a lot more technology. The 2024 models tipped the scales between 4,271 pounds and 4,788 lbs, with the heavier versions being the more well-equipped models with AWD. Other key measurements look as follows:

Acura MDX Engine and Performance

There are no changes to the engines in the 2025 MDX lineup. Two six-cylinder options put out between 290 and 355 hp, depending on the model, which should mean performance specs also carry over. We expect the MDX with the base 3.5-liter V6 engine to get to 60 mph in around 6.4 seconds, while the Type S should dispatch the 0-60 sprint a full second quicker. Top speed is limited to 112 mph.

Acura says the new MDX is the best-performing MDX yet, with a twin-scroll turbocharger, sport-tuned 10-speed automatic, Brembo brakes, and Sport+ drive mode exclusive to the Type S. Although front-wheel drive remains standard on the lower trims, the brand’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive is the standard setup in the Type S, and true torque vectoring is thus included – the system is rear-biased to send up to 70% of the torque to the back end, and up to 100% to the outside rear wheel when needed.

The Type S also comes with air suspension and adaptive dampers to help make it more athletic. Our drive review of the outgoing Type S won us over, and it’s likely to only get better with time. Since the same engines do duty, we can safely assume the towing capacities will also carry over for 2025, which for FWD cars maxes out at 3,500 lbs, and 5,000 lbs for those with AWD.

Gas Mileage

Nothing has changed in terms of the engine lineup for the 2025 Acura MDX range, so gas mileage figures should carry over. The EPA rating for the base MDX cars with FWD come in at 19/26/22 mpg on the city/highway combined cycles and 19/25/21 mpg for those with AWD. The Type S fares worse thanks to its turbocharged powertrain and standard AWD, earning just 17/21/19 mpg.

A range of at least 350 miles is expected with the 18.5-gallon fuel tank filled to capacity, although the more frugal models will go for around 405 miles.

Acura MDX Interior and Cargo

The interior of the 2025 Acura MDX is said to have received “a total makeover,” but to our eyes, it’s not quite that significant. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing since it’s not a bad cabin to begin with. Still, the new models come with a new 12.3-inch touchscreen, improved audio systems across the range, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Google built-in. The center console has also been redesigned to be more ergonomically usable and contains USB-C ports inside and at the rear. There are more storage options in the cabin, and the standard wireless charging is more accessible than before.

At the top of the range, the Type S comes standard with the Advance Package, which adds the most powerful sound system yet, courtesy of Bang & Olufsen, which boasts 31 speakers. Other features standard at this level include a head-up display, 16-way power front seats with massage, heated second-row seats, and more. The seats in the top Acura MDX are upholstered in quilted Milano leather which can also be optioned on in lower trims, and – thanks to a redesign – have Ultrasuede bolsters and embossed logos.

New for 2025 is the debut of AcuraWatch 360, which fleshes out the standard safety suite with more advanced driver assists. The updates include the addition of a front long-range millimeter wave radar located behind the Acura emblem on the nose of the car, an updated front camera at the top of the windshield, new millimeter wave radars at all four corners, and a new steering wheel sensor. The system is standard on the Type S with the Advance Package and includes, among others:

• Collision mitigation with cross-traffic sensing and advanced pedestrian detection
• Lane departure warning and lane keep assist
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Blind spot information system
• Traffic jam assist
• Traffic sign recognition
• Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow
• Active lane change assist
• Lane change collision mitigation
• Front cross-traffic warning

Cargo volume in the new Acura MDX SUV ranges from 16.3 cubic feet to 95 cubes with all the seats folded down.

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