The 2022 Acura MDX is a three-row crossover SUV. Sold under Honda’s luxury imprint, the new MDX rivals the Infiniti QX60, Buick Enclave, Hyundai Palisade, and Volvo XC90. Redesigned for 2022, the seven-seater offers some of the automaker’s most advanced technology and most luxurious features and comes with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. We give it a TCC Rating of 7.3 out of 10, before the safety rating and EPA numbers are confirmed.
ENGINE AND IMPLEMENTATION
The new 2022 Acura MDX uses the same 290-hp 3.5-liter V-6 as the outgoing model, but the engine is now mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission instead of a nine-speed. The front-wheel-drive remains standard with all-wheel drive available as an option. The outgoing 2020 MDX also offered a hybrid powertrain, but so far Acura has not indicated an intention to hybridize the 2022 MDX. The sporty Type S model is powered by a 355-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 and comes standard with all-wheel drive. Our test drive of an all-wheel-drive Advance model with the standard powertrain revealed surprisingly nimble handling and perky acceleration. When we sampled the Type S, we praised it for the same agile feeling on the road and appreciated the extra power, but wondered if that model is worthy of its Type S badging.
ENERGY AND REAL WORLD-MPG
The base 2022 MDX boasts EPA fuel-economy ratings of 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Opting for all-wheel drive reduces the highway rating by 1 mpg. Acura’s 290-hp V-6 coupled to a 10-speed automatic in the new MDX steps off from stoplights and through interstate passes with authority. The power’s similar to the 2020 model, but ride and handling have made a quantum leap: A stiffer body lets even the MDX A-Spec ride on 20-inch wheels and still quell big bumps with deft control. New for 2022 is a performance-oriented Type S variant that features an even more powerful 335-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 with standard all-wheel drive, as well as an adaptive air suspension, and larger brakes, and interior upgrades.
INTERIOR, CONVENIENCE, AND BOOTH
The 2022 Acura MDX‘s cabin has a far more premium look and feels than the 2020 model’s interior. French-stitched leather covers the dashboard in high-end trims, and open-pore wood mingles with metal and piano-black accents. Acura also outfitted the MDX with plenty of creature comforts, such as dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and leather upholstery. The front seats are supportive and comfortable and can be equipped with niceties such as 16-way power adjustability as well as massage. The first and second rows offer plentiful passenger space, but the MDX’s third row is still a kids-only affair. Although the interior is nicely designed and offers plenty of convenience options, it doesn’t feel quite as posh as the cabins of rivals such as the Genesis GV80 or the Volvo XC90.
IN-VEHICLE INFOTAINMENT AND INTERCONNECTIONS
The 2022 Acura MDX features a large 12.3-inch infotainment display with a center-console-mounted touchpad controller, which we’re sorry to report is somewhat frustrating to use. A 12.3-inch digital reconfigurable gauge display is also standard, as are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, in-dash navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. An ELS Studio stereo system is included on the Technology trim while the A-Spec and Advanced models get a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D setup.
PROTECTION AND DRIVER-ASSISTANCE ASPECTS
The MDX earns both a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Add on an impressive list of standard and optional safety features and the MDX gets 9 points for safety. Every MDX has automatic emergency braking front and rear, low-speed braking control, traffic-jam assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and a driver attention monitor. Technology editions and above get front and rear parking sensors; the Advance model gets a head-up display and a surround-view camera system.
The 2022 Acura MDX also has adjustable headrests, which resolves seat comfort issues from past Acura vehicles. Outward vision to the rear isn’t great, though—the rear seats and thick roof pillar block the view.
PHOTOS
FULL SPECIFICATIONS
2022 Acura MDX SH-AWD
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE AS TESTED
$58,625 (base price: $49,925)
ENGINE TYPE
SOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement
212 in3, 3471 cm3
Power
290 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque
267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm
TRANSMISSION
10-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): control arms/ multilink
Brakes (F/R): 13.8-in vented disc/13.0-in disc
Tires: Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S, 255/50R-20 105H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 113.8 in
Length: 198.4 in
Width: 78.7 in
Height: 67.1 in
Passenger volume: 139 ft3
Cargo volume: 16 ft3
Curb weight: 4514 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.4 sec
100 mph: 17.6 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.6 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.6 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 5.2 sec
1/4 mile: 15.1 sec @ 112 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 112 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 170 ft
Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 16 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 22 mpg
Highway range: 400 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 21/19/25 mpg
