Acura MDX Type S review.
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The current generation Acura MDX already came out 4 years ago. For 2025, the MDX is getting a few small changes, inside and out.
The version I’ve been test-driving for a week is the top-of-the-line Type S Advance trim. Which is a totally loaded model for $76,000. Unlike other MDX trims which share their 3.5 Liter V6 engine with the Honda Pilot and Passport, the Type S has a smaller but more powerful 3.0 Liter Turbo with 355HP instead of 290HP.
I drove the MDX and MDX Type S a couple of years ago and the 2025 interior is very familiar. The main change is the addition of a new touch screen. With Acura finally killing the dreaded and awful trackpad. However, the trackpad is still available on the RDX and TLX.
The interior is extremely comfortable and the touch screen makes everything much easier than before. The seats are great and come with a 4-way adjustment for the headrests. Something very rare these days. However, I couldn’t really feel anything different with the seat ventilation turned on.
The Drive mode still resets to “Normal” every time you restart the car, which is annoying and seems that it could be an easy fix.
For some reason, Acura is now using Bang and Olufsen instead of ELS for their upgraded sound systems. The new one for 2025 is a 31-speaker Bang and Ofufsen, replacing the already fantastic 25-speaker unit from ELS. The sound is of course pretty fantastic, but without listening to both back to back, it is impossible to tell if the new system is actually better or not.
However, controlling the sound is done from a strange-looking colored wheel instead of the usual “Mid, treble, bass” controls. It just seems very gimmicky and not intuitive. Sometimes the wheel doesn’t need to be re-invented…
The MDX Type S is very luxurious, solid, and roomy everywhere you look. There is a good-sized cargo behind the 3rd row seat and it becomes huge if you only carry up to 5 people.
The ride is extremely smooth even with the large 21-inch wheels, which is quite amazing. The transmission is quick to downshift and the steering feels great and never too light, even in the Comfort mode.
With 355HP the MDX Type S is quite thirsty. It is rated at 17/21 MPG. While it is pretty easy to get 25 on the highway, it was impossible, no matter what, to get over 15MPG around town.
Yes, the Acura MDX Type S is an expensive 3-row SUV. But it also looks good, drives great, and has an amazing sound system. It is truly luxurious and extremely comfortable.
At least to me, it is 100 times better looking than the new Lexus TX. Which is a disappointment inside and out. Although the Type S trim is indeed more expensive.
I ultimately think the Acura MDX Type S’s closest competition is the “regular” MDX. A similarly loaded A-Spec model is $10,000 less than the Type S. In daily driving, it might be hard to tell the difference between 290HP and 355HP. And between 31 speakers and 19.
A still very well-equipped “Technology” trim (still with the 19 9speaker system) is even cheaper at $58,500.
Just saying…