2022 Acura MDX Review: A Fitter Flagship

It’s going to be a while before AutoGuide can pit the 2022 Acura MDX against the competition. Before that, I can tell you it certainly offers more sure-footed grip than one alternative: my own two legs.

Picture the scene: a marginally snowy industrial cul-de-sac. I’ve parked up the shiny new 2022 Acura MDX in an attempt to capture the final few minutes of golden sunset. As I frantically circle around the big red three-row, trying to find the best angle to show off its sharp looks, I unknowingly dart over a patch of ice. It’s a patch the Acura barely even hinted at mere seconds ago, but that doesn’t stop me from doing an impromptu impression of Harry heading up the front steps at the McCallister residence in Home Alone.

Okay, easy first win for the MDX versus my lack of seasonal awareness. But what about the three-row SUV crowd? This is a tough segment, with a deep lineup of talent. Now the de facto flagship of the Acura brand, the MDX has big shoes to fill: the previous model remained a volume leader in the segment its whole run. Can the 2022 model hold its ground?

Like the TLX before it, the latest MDX features a design update that’s more than the sum of its parts. Acura has massaged the look: crisper creases, defined details, and prettier proportions give the MDX vastly more presence than before. Helping out is this tester’s deep Performance Red Pearl and the A-Spec trim, gifting it smart-looking 20-inch alloys. It’s a good looking rig, this.

Like most modern vehicles, dimensions are up over the MDX’s predecessor. The new model is a bit wider, but it’s the wheelbase that’s grown most, stretching an additional 2.8 inches (70 mm). That translates into more space, both for people and their various accessories. Legroom is up for both front- and third-row passengers, now 41.6 (1,057 mm) and 29 inches (738 mm), respectively. The middle row measure remains at 38.5 inches (977 mm), plenty enough for all but the gangliest of riders. Headroom is a similar story: up a bit in front and back, and down slightly in the second row. Storage space swells from 16.3 cubic feet (461 litres) with all seats up to 71.4 cubes (2,021 L) with only the front two up.

Acura’s second-row seating solution is a clever one, too. Buyers will find seven seats in the 2022 MDX, but the middle seat can transform into a second-row center console, or be removed entirely. It’s easy to get into the way-back, but adults won’t want to spend long back there.

The entire interior experience is a huge leap forward. It certainly isn’t the minimalist approach of the Genesis GV80, but the MDX has a style all its own inside. The center console design points towards the drive mode selector—a clear statement of intent if ever there was one—with a push-button gear selector directly below. Clever touches abound, like the hideaway USB charger to the right of the gear selector, and the wireless charger with floating armrest. Material fit and finish is generally very good, though there’s a lot of piano black.

The A-Spec sits just a step below the top of the 2022 MDX trim lineup. It comes with a lot of goodies, such as heating and ventilation for those comfy, part-suede front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated seats and climate controls for the second row, a power liftgate, that huge panoramic roof, and more.

The audio system allows the driver to project their voice to the way-back, and accepts both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly. More importantly, the 16-speaker ELS system sounds fantastic, with crisp highs right from the moment the MDX turns on. I’d rate it on par with Lexus’ Mark Levinson system, it’s that good.

Counteracting the banging sound system is Acura’s frustrating touchpad infotainment interface. Touches correspond with the same space on-screen: tap the bottom left to access a button there on the central display. It’s counter-intuitive and more sensitive to rough pavement, since the working area is a fraction of the screen’s 12.3 inches. It isn’t quite Lexus bad, but it’s the biggest blemish on the MDX’s record.

On the driver assist front, the 2022 MDX features standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and Traffic Jam Assist. Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow is also included. You’ll need to step up to the top Platinum Elite trim in Canada for the head-up display, however.

One important note for would-be haulers: while the MDX can tow up to 5,000 lb (2,268 kg), it requires a pricey upgrade to do it properly.

Under the shapely new nose of the 2022 MDX, you’ll find just one engine option: the tried-and-true 3.5-liter V6. It throws down a healthy 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque without aid of turbocharger. Honda’s 10-speed automatic handles shifting duties very well, dropping through multiple gears when you put your foot down. And you’ll want to, because in this age of turbocharged everything, the VTEC six-pot has real character.

The MDX genuinely seems to enjoy when the road bends, too. The double-wishbone front suspension has it turning in with conviction, shrugging off the mid-corner heaves and bumps typical of the season. It’s a shame, then, that the flat-bottom steering wheel is laughably light. Switching between drive modes doesn’t do much for the wheel, but it does bring about a marked change in the suspension and transmission tuning. In Sport mode, the MDX feels light and agile, and at least a foot shorter than its actual dimensions. Thank Acura’s clever SH-AWD system, which uses torque vectoring to send power to the wheel(s) with the most grip. Visibility is good, except for the chunky D-pillar.

Ease off, and the MDX still does the whole cruiser thing well too, soaking up bumps and eating up the highway miles in quiet confidence. It has a real depth of character that the rest of the Japanese competition (see: Lexus RX) can’t match. The Germans and afore-mentioned Genesis are another question: the MDX lacks the firepower to match them until the Type S comes along. In A-Spec form, it’s also quite thirsty: I averaged 19.6 mpg during the week (12.0 L/100 km).

Starting at $47,925 ($58,480 CAD), including destination, the 2022 Acura MDX offers an impressively well-rounded package. You’ll need to cough up an additional $2,000 in America for SH-AWD; in Canada, it’s standard. Spring for an A-Spec equipped like our tester and you’ll be looking at $58,625 ($65,980 CAD).

This latest MDX does exactly what it needed to. It reintroduces driving fun into the equation, with a sharp new look making the message clear. Passengers will appreciate the well-judged ride too, and the additional space. There’s a real sense of quality as well, infuriating infotainment aside.

With the 2022 MDX, Acura has found solid ground to defend its sales crown in the segment.

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