2018 Acura MDX: Shining Star Of The Entire Acura Lineup
The 2018 Acura MDX is a three-row mid-size luxury SUV. The MDX first appeared as a 2001 model, and has grown to become the best-selling three-row luxury SUV of all time. Edmunds.com named it the “Most Wanted Luxury Midsize SUV” for 2017. It has also been recognized as “Best Luxury Three-Row SUV for the Money” for 2017, by U.S. News & World Report.
The 2018 Acura MDX represents the fifth year of the third generation, and was recently refreshed for 2017. In terms of mid-size luxury SUV sales, it is in fourth place for the year-to-date as of August 2017. The Lexus RX, Cadillac XT5, and Mercedes-Benz GLE are the sales leaders, but they are all two-row SUVs.
What’s New On The 2018 Acura MDX
For 2018, the Acura MDX features a redesigned dual-screen user interface, featuring more intuitive menus and a new 7” touchscreen with a faster response time. It also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are two new exterior colors on the MDX color palette for 2018: Basque Red and San Marino Red.
Two Drivetrains For 2018 MDX: Gasoline And Hybrid
The standard 2018 Acura MDX comes equipped with a 3.5L direct-injected V6 engine rated at 290 horsepower and 267 lb.-ft. peak torque. It is available in front-wheel drive or with Acura’s Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. Both versions are mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
Another MDX model, the 2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid Super Handling-All Wheel Drive, goes on sale this winter. The MDX Sport Hybrid utilizes Acura’s revolutionary three-motor Sport Hybrid powertrain with electric torque vectoring to produce a total system output of 321 horsepower. This makes the MDX the third vehicle in the Acura lineup to receive this unique hybrid technology, joining the NSX supercar and the RLX Sport Hybrid. The MDX Sport Hybrid uses a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The EPA-estimated fuel economy for the 2018 Acura MDX, when equipped with start/stop, is 19 to 26 MPG City and 26 to 27 MPG Highway, depending on the model and drive system selected.
Build Your MDX With Packages
The 2018 Acura MDX comes in several trim levels: Standard, Technology Package, and Advance Package. A Freestanding Entertainment Package can be added to either the Technology Package or the Advance Package.
This Luxury SUV Has All The Right Safety Equipment
The 2018 MDX has extensive standard safety equipment to both keep you out of trouble and protect you when there is an accident. This includes seven airbags, multi-view rear camera, collision mitigation braking system (CMBS), forward collision warning, vehicle stability assist with traction control and motion adaptive steering, trailer stability assist, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, hill start assist, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow.
The Technology Package gives you blind spot information system, rear cross traffic monitor, and rain-sensing wipers. The Advanced Package adds a surround-view camera system, CMBS heads-up warning, and front and rear parking sensors.
The 2018 Acura MDX Has Technology, Luxury, Safety, And Space
If you are in the market for a three-row luxury SUV, the 2018 Acura MDX is worthy of your attention. It is well designed and engineered, nicely finished, and has the technology and the space for today’s upscale families. At a starting price of $44,200, well equipped, it is also an excellent value in its class.