2025 Acura MDX Review: A Refined Luxury SUV

2025 Acura MDX Review: A Refined Luxury SUV with Impressive Driving Dynamics

The 2025 Acura MDX is a pivotal vehicle for the Acura brand, showcasing significant advancements in driving dynamics, cabin soundproofing, and overall refinement. This review delves into these enhancements, mainly focusing on the driving experience, powertrain performance, and the array of advanced features that set the MDX apart.

Enhanced Driving Dynamics and Powertrain Performance

Driving the “2025 Acura MDX” Type S is a testament to Acura’s commitment to performance and refinement. The Type S variant is powered by a robust 3.0-liter turbo V6 engine, delivering an impressive 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain ensures exhilarating acceleration and seamless power delivery, positioning the MDX Type S competitively and reassuringly against luxury rivals like the Audi Q7 and BMW X5.

One of the standout features of the 2025 Acura MDX is the enhanced soundproofing. Acura has significantly reduced cabin noise, promising a quieter, more serene driving experience. The cabin’s sound levels were impressively low during our test drive, even when accelerating to 60 mph. This improvement is a testament to Acura’s focus on delivering a luxurious and comfortable ride.

Versatile and Refined Engine Options

The “2025 Acura MDX” lineup offers versatility with its engine options. Meanwhile, the Type S boasts a powerful turbo V6. This engine provides a refined and smooth driving experience, setting the MDX apart from competitors like the Lexus TX, which predominantly offers four-cylinder engines.

All MDX models have a 10-speed automatic transmission, ensuring precise and responsive gear shifts. The MDX also offers front-wheel drive and Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The SH-AWD system on higher trims enhances traction and stability, confidently handling various driving conditions.

Superior Ride Quality and Comfort

The 2025 Acura MDX Type S features a standard adaptive air suspension, significantly enhancing ride quality. Despite the large 21-inch alloy wheels, the air suspension smooths out road imperfections, delivering a comfortable and composed ride. This adaptive system allows drivers to switch between comfort and sport modes, catering to different driving preferences.

The 2025 Acura MDX offers a range of luxurious features, including standard massage seats on advanced and Type S models. With their customizable massage settings, these seats provide a level of comfort that is truly indulgent during long drives. The intuitive placement of physical buttons for seat adjustments adds convenience, making you feel pampered and indulged in every journey.

Advanced Technology and Safety Features

Acura has equipped the 2025 Acura MDX with advanced technology and safety features, ensuring you feel secure and connected on the road. The refreshed model includes a touchscreen infotainment system, addressing previous customer feedback for a more user-friendly interface. The system supports various connectivity options, ensuring a seamless multimedia experience.

Safety enhancements for the 2025 Acura MDX include an auto lane change feature, available exclusively on the Type S model. This feature, combined with the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, provides a semi-autonomous driving experience, adding to the vehicle’s overall safety and convenience.

Fuel Efficiency and Environmental Impact

The 2025 Acura MDX maintains respectable fuel efficiency despite the powerful engines, making you feel economically conscious and responsible. The standard front-wheel-drive models achieve an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined, while the SH-AWD models achieve 21 mpg combined.

With its performance-oriented turbo V6, the Type S variant achieves 19 mpg combined. These figures are competitive within the luxury SUV segment, particularly considering the refinement and performance offered by the V6 engines. Experience the 2025 Acura MDX and discover why it’s a standout in the luxury SUV segment.

2025 Acura MDX: Goodbye to the trackpad,

The Acura brand competes in the highly competitive luxury SUV segment, facing off against industry giants like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus. While it has made strides to stand out, Acura’s position as a leader in the segment is not yet undisputed. However, Acura boldly challenges the status quo with the 2025 Acura MDX Type S.

With its recent update, the 2025 Acura MDX Type S seeks to challenge this status quo. However, despite some positive changes, such as removing the frustrating touchpad-based infotainment system and adding a new all-digital instrument cluster, the $76,900 MDX Type S still feels like a secondary option in this demanding segment.

A look at what’s new:

Modifications for 2025 are relatively modest: a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, redesigned front and rear fascias to maintain a contemporary look, and a 31-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system (yes, you read that correctly) replacing the previous 25-speaker ELS Studio. In addition, the much-criticized touchpad infotainment controller has finally been removed.

The Type S model has features: massaging front seats (one of the best I’ve ever experienced), a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, a full suite of driver assists, and the Bang Above & Olufsen audio system.

In the mechanical section, there are no changes: it retains the turbocharged V6 of 355 horsepower and the height-adjustable air suspension.

On paper, the MDX Type S 2025 impresses. It has the credentials to compete with models like the BMW X5, Mercedes GLE, Lexus RX, and Genesis GV80. However, in practice, the execution needs to live up to expectations. The MDX offers a quiet, comfortable cabin, a high-quality listening experience with its audio system, and high-quality interior materials. However, it may lack the fluidity and effortless elegance some competitors offer.

Starting with the positives, the MDX is a top choice for long road trips. Its quiet, comfortable cabin and the massaged seats make it an ideal companion for extended journeys. The audio system also deserves praise for offering a high-quality listening experience. The interior materials are high quality, and the contact points are well placed, except for the new volume button, which is uncomfortable to use in the center console.

However, the experience has annoying details that could easily be fixed: the 10-speed automatic transmission could be better, even in its sportiest modes, and it is constantly debated between starting in first or second gear, especially in quick starts and stops. Brakes by wire, however, are sensitive and non-linear, making it difficult to ride smoothly.

While the new infotainment system is a considerable improvement, almost any alternative would have been better than the previous one. It’s responsive and easy to use, although some design decisions are odd. Most displays use a deep black background to enhance the image quality, but the permanent menu bar features an unattractive blue that clashes with the rest of the design.

Regarding handling, the MDX Type S does not shine for its sportiness. Its weight becomes apparent in corners, and despite the adaptive suspension and pneumatics, the body sways excessively on uneven terrain. The single-turbo V6 offers power, but it feels less refined than the six-cylinder engines of its German and Korean competitors.

Notably, the MDX Type S is better enjoyed in Comfort mode than in Sport Plus. Even so, the suspension can be overwhelmed on uneven surfaces, allowing too much roughness to reach the cabin.

OVERVIEW

• The new MDX gets a more aggressive fairing with a new frameless pentagon diamond grille, darker headlights and taillights, and a bolder wheel design.
• The cabin is more equipped than ever and benefits from numerous improvements, including a new 12.3-inch touchscreen user interface with Google integrated.
• Improved audio performance in all versions: The MDX Type S Ultra model features Acura’s most impressive and powerful sound system to date, with an incredible 31-speaker Bang & Olufsen system
• The MDX Type S Ultra introduces MD 360, a more advanced driver-assistance technology, for the first time.
• The new Platinum Elite A-SPEC version will launch in 2025 with a sporty appearance and additional premium features.

Today, Acura Canada revealed a modernized version of the 2025 MDX, Acura Canada’s best-selling performance brand flagship vehicle. MDX offers styling improvements, a new 12.3-inch touchscreen interface with Google integrated1, a quieter cabin, improved safety features, and a luxury Bang & Olufsen sound system.

The 2025 Acura MDX Type S Ultra introduces the new Acura Watch system 360, which offers more advanced driver assistance features, including additional radars, a high-fidelity front camera, and a new front millimeter wave radar.

2025 Acura MDX Release Date

The range Acura Watch MD of safety and driver assistance technologies, available as standard on all other versions of the MDX, also features upgraded hardware to enhance safety performance.

The 2025 Acura MDX and MDX Type S Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) will begin arriving at Acura dealerships nationwide in early June.

2025 Acura MDX price

New Acura MDX models are for sale nationwide, including an Acura MDX Standard SH-AWD and an Acura MDX A-Spec Package SH-AWD. A new Acura MDX’s prices range from $50,750 to $76,900.

As James Marchand, Assistant Vice President of Acura Canada, said, “With its precision-engineered performance, the Acura MDX, our popular 3-row sport utility vehicle (SUV), is propelled to an unprecedented level. The bolder styling of our flagship SUV will continue to turn heads, and customers will enjoy incredible new technology, an intuitive touchscreen interface, a luxury Bang & Olufsen audio system, and many other features.

New for the 2025 model year is the arrival of the MDX Platinum Elite A-SPEC, which combines a sporty appearance with additional premium features, such as 16-way power seats, a head-up display, a surround camera system, insulation on the fenders and interior door coverings, and a laminated glass rear window. The MDX Platinum Elite A-SPEC also offers curvilinear quilted leather front massage seats, previously exclusively offered on the MDX Type S.

The 2025 Acura MDX Type S Ultra introduces Acura’s most impressive sound system: a new 31-speaker luxury Bang & Olufsen sound system that pushes the boundaries of the already class-leading MDX audio experience.

In addition, the turbocharged MDX Type S Ultra offers premium features as standard equipment, such as a head-up display, 16-way power front seats, soft Milano leather, 9-massage mode front seats, heated second-row seats, heated steering wheel, and a surround camera system.

What’s new in 2025 Acura MDX:

• A suite of AcuraWatch safety and driver assistance technologies Upgraded (as standard)
• A 12.3-inch touchscreen interface with Google built-in1 (as standard)
• The interior of the MDX features a redesigned center console with enhanced features, USB-C ports inside and back of the console cabinet, more storage space, and an easier-to-access wireless smartphone charger (standard equipment)
• A fairing featuring a redesigned bumper, a frameless pentagon diamond grille with a more aggressive-looking grille, and darker headlights and taillights (standard equipment)
• Redesigned 20-inch wheels (Tech, A-SPEC)
• Milano quilted leather front seats with 16 curvilinear power adjustments are available, and there are nine passover modes (MDX Platinum Elite A-SPEC).
• A 19-speaker luxury Bang & Olufsen sound system (Tech, A-SPEC and Platinum Elite A-SPEC)

• Numerous sophisticated updates for a quieter cabin, including a laminated tailgate window and more insulation (Tech, A-SPEC, and Platinum Elite A-SPEC)
• Rear seat belt reminder system (standard equipment).
• Two new colors are available: Canyon River Blue Metallic (MDX Tech) and Urban Gray Pearl (MDX Platinum Elite A-SPEC).

What’s new (MDX Type S Ultra):

• A 31-speaker Bang & Olufsen Deluxe Sound System
• The Acura Watch System MD 360 with Front Cross Traffic Alert features7, Lane Change Collision Mitigation, and Active Lane Change Assist
• Redesigned front seats with Ultra suede side supports MD and embossed Type S logo on the headrests.
• Redesigned 21-inch wheels with machined face and Berlin Black pockets
• Fairing with a redesigned bumper and frameless pentagon diamond grille
• New color available: Pearl Apogee Blue

The 2025 Acura MDX Styling

Enhancements All 2025 Acura MDX models feature a new, more aggressive fascia with a new frameless pentagon diamond grille and a redesigned diamond-patterned grille. This sleek new design is framed by Acura’s signature quad Jewel Eye® LED headlamps and “baffle” LED daytime running lights.

The MDX A-SPEC, for buyers looking to drive an even sportier-looking vehicle, now offers a more aggressive fascia identical to that of the MDX Type S, a redesigned frameless pentagon diamond grille grille, an all-black exterior treatment, A-SPEC badging and redesigned 20-inch wheels. The MDX Tech has also received new 20-inch wheels.

The styling of the powerful 2025 Acura MDX Type S is enhanced by a new frameless pentagon diamond grille with a redesigned open surface grille that provides airflow to the exclusive Type S turbocharged V6 engine, as well as redesigned 21-inch Berlina Black split-spoke wheels with a machined finish. The Type S stands out even more with its exclusive rear diffuser, large quad tailpipes, and Brembo 4-piston front brake calipers MD Red.

Two stunning new paint colors are available for the first time on the MDX: the all-new Canyon River Blue Metallic color and Urban Gray Pearl, which was introduced for the 2024 TLX.

More Technology as Standard

Acura customers will enjoy a premium experience inside the cabin with even more advanced technology and advanced connectivity features built into the MDX. All 2025 MDX models now feature a new 12.3-inch touchscreen interface with Google built-in1, Apple CarPlayMD wireless3, and Android AutoMC4 as standard equipment.

The increasingly functional center console complements the new touchscreen interface to enhance the cabin experience, with more storage space and better access to the standard wireless charging pad.

Every 2025 Acura MDX also features the latest generation of AcuraLinkMD5 with onboard 4G LTE Wi-Fi compatibility, the ability to over-the-air software updates, and a variety of cloud services available, including emergency roadside assistance, door locking/unlocking, and remote engine starting.

A luxury Sound system

Acura has a long reputation for delivering exceptional audio performance, and the 2025 MDX is the latest model to offer an immersive sound experience created in partnership with Bang & Olufsen. Two innovative new world-class Bang & Olufsen sound systems have been designed exclusively for the Acura MDX to enhance the cabin sound experience with class-leading performance and powerful, sophisticated sound reminiscent of concert hall acoustics.

At the top of the MDX lineup is the MDX Type S 2025, which offers an exclusive Advanced Package and features a 31-speaker Bang & Olufsen luxury sound system. With six more speakers than the current system, it’s the most powerful sound system in Acura history with Bang & Olufsen Acoustic Lens tweeters, an 8.8-inch subwoofer, two amplifiers, 24 channels of power and – hold on tight – 31 speakers, 12 of which are mounted in the headliner.

The 2025 Acura MDX Tech, A-SPEC, and Platinum Elite A-SPEC models offer a new 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system with 16 channels, Acoustic Lens tweeters, and four speakers in the headliner.

The two custom Acura sound systems incorporate the latest Bang & Olufsen 3D sound control system, the exclusive Beosonic feature, and Acoustic Lens technology. The intuitive Beosonic control interface One-touch solution allows Acura MDX customers to create a personalized sound experience in their vehicle by choosing one of four distinct soundscapes: Clear, Energizing, Muffled, and Relaxed.

Bang & Olufsen’s Acoustic Lens technology evenly disperses high frequencies horizontally at 180 degrees while limiting vertical reflections, improving overall spatial perception and realism for all passengers, who can hear every note and nuance of sound.

In addition, brushed aluminum speaker grilles featuring laser-engraved Bang & Olufsen logos further enhance the premium design of the MDX cabin.

Enhanced Safety and Driver

Assistance Features The 2025 Acura MDX sets the benchmark for active and passive safety performance and driver assistance systems in the premium 3-row sport utility vehicle (SUV) family, featuring the ACE body structure Acura Jacket, the next-generation front passenger airbag technology, and the Acura Watch Package MD advanced safety and driver assistance technologies, all of which are standard equipment.

Standard equipment on the MDX Type S Ultra, the new Acura Watch MD 360 is equipped with the latest and improved hardware, including a long-range millimeter-wave radar front behind the Acura emblem, an updated front camera on the upper windshield, a new millimeter-wave radar in all four corners, and a new touchscreen sensor on the steering wheel.

Together, these different elements offer several new driver assistance features, including:

• Active lane change assist2: Can automatically make a complete lane change when the driver pushes the turn signal lever halfway in the desired direction, while Cruise Control and Spacing (ACC) and Lane Keep Assist (LKAS) 6 are active. This feature is enabled on geofenced divided highways detected in Google Maps using the built-in Google service1.
• Lane Change Collision Mitigation8: If the driver moves into an already occupied lane, the system can detect the other vehicle and redirect it to its original lane. In addition, if the driver starts to move into a lane at the same time as another vehicle, the system can detect the other vehicle and redirect the vehicle to its original lane.
• Front Cross Traffic Alert7: When the vehicle is traveling at low speeds or begins to move forward after a stop, with audible alerts and visual indicators indicating the direction from which the detected vehicle is coming on the Acura Cockpit Precision digital instrument cluster, the multi-angle camera display (if active) and the head-up display (Platinum Elite A-SPEC).

Acura Watch hardware360 also enhances existing driver assistance and collision avoidance technologies, including providing smooth acceleration and deceleration with Cruise Control and Spacing (ACC), extending the range of the Blind Spot Information System (BSI)8, and enhancing the capabilities of the Collision Mitigation Braking System to detect oncoming vehicles and other potential collision scenarios.

For the 2025 Acura MDX, the whole Acura Watch M safety and driver assistance technologies standard on other versions of the MDX has also been updated and now benefits from enhanced performance, including expanded features with a new single-lens front sensor camera for greater detection accuracy, a grille-mounted millimeter-wave radar, and a wider field of view for the camera and radar.

The equipment significantly improves collision avoidance by recognizing road boundaries, roadsides, and signs. At the rear, the Blind Spot Information System (BSI) 8 provides a more extended warning range. It works with the Lane Change Alert system, which warns the driver when a vehicle detected in an adjacent lane is approaching from behind.

On the MDX, the Acura Watch Bundle MD The range of safety and driver assistance technologies includes CMBS™9 with pedestrian detection, cruise control and spacing with low-speed tracking10, the Forward Collision Warning System11, the Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) system12 with lane departure warning (LDW)13, the LKAS6 and the traffic sign recognition system14.

Cruise and Spacing Control, with Steering Speed Assist, which determines the curve of the lane and reduces the vehicle’s speed when ACC is active, is a new feature on all MDX models.

The new rear seat belt reminds occupants to unfasten and unbuckle their seat belts. It is standard equipment on all 2025 MDXs.

For an even more premium experience, the 2025 Acura MDX Tech, A-SPEC, and Platinum Elite A-SPEC models have received numerous updates to reduce road noise in the cabin by approximately 10%, including upgraded interior trim on the front and rear fenders and more door insulation. The rear doors now feature a laminated glass window to reduce wind noise further.

Turbocharged Type S Performance

The 2025 Acura MDX has a 3.0-liter, 24-valve, twin-overhead camshaft Turbocharged V6 engine with direct injection and turbocharging unique to the twin-scroll Type S, which produces 355 horsepower (5,500 net SAE value) and 354 lb·ft of torque (1,400 to 5,000 rpm net SAE value). Min). The engine was created by some of the company’s most experienced powertrain engineers, including members of championship-winning motorsports programs.

The turbocharged Type S version, the most capable MDX in history, also features a 10-speed sport-type automatic transmission, dual wishbone front suspension, Brembo front brakes MD, and an exclusive Type S Sport+ drive mode.

Power is distributed across the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system (super-handling all-wheel drive) with torque vectoring, which is also available on all MDX models. The system favors rearward distribution, and 100% of this torque can be distributed to the outside rear wheel.

Acura MDX 2025, new image and technology that will soon arrive

It seems unbelievable, but the current generation of MDX has been around long enough for Acura to provide it with a mid-life update. It boasts a slight cosmetic surgery with a stretch here and there and the adoption of more technology.

Let’s start with the aesthetic section, where a grille and fenders with a sportier design stand out, with more oversized air intakes. 20-inch wheels have also been added to the high-end versions. The front and rear light clusters were slightly darkened, while new colors were added to the bodywork.

Inside, Honda’s premium division highlights that the cabin is quieter thanks to additional insulating material and laminated glass in the rear doors. However, the improvements continue as we also have a new infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and Google integrated.

The latest generation of Acura Link has been adopted. Wi-Fi access, over-the-air “OTA” updates, and remote functions exist.

This Acura MDX 2025 presents a renewed center console with a better layout, more storage space, and a wireless charger. The audio equipment in the top versions is a 19-speaker system signed by Bang & Olufsen. It has front seats with massage, while the rear seats are heated, the steering wheel, and a head-up display, among other elements.

Regarding safety, a new camera and a millimeter wave radar system allow for improved detection and a wider field of view. It also has better blind spot sensors that enable a new lane departure warning feature. An adaptive cruise control with cornering speed assist and rear seat belt reminder completes them.

Under the hood, there are no changes, as the well-known 3.5-liter V6 engine has 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque ten-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is optional.

Conclusion

The 2025 Acura MDX distinguishes itself with compelling, refined, and advanced features. Its enhanced driving dynamics, quieter cabin, and versatile engine options set it apart in the competitive luxury SUV market. Acura’s meticulous attention to detail and commitment to customer feedback are evident in the thoughtful improvements made to this refreshed model. The MDX’s unique selling points, such as the standard massage seats on advanced and Type S models,

For the best selection of 2025 Acura MDX models, visit your local Acura dealership today. Test drive the MDX and experience the ultimate in luxury and performance.