Acura has unveiled the latest iteration of its three-row luxury crossover SUV. The new MDX has a pentagonal grille that was first seen on the Precision concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this year. Combined with a new hood and front fascia, the 2017 MDX serves as an indication of Acura’s design language for the face of its future vehicles. Also new or revised is the rear bumper, chrome rocker panels, and twin tailpipes.
Standard on the new MDX is a suite of safety features known as AcuraWatch. The equipment consists of automatic braking, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Standard creature comforts include an electric parking brake, automatic brake hold, auto high beams, Sirius XM satellite radio 2.0, and four USB charging ports. Optional will be remote engine start, power folding mirrors, and 20-inch wheels and tires, and 2nd-row captains chairs, to name a few.
The most interesting MDX promises to be the Sport Hybrid variant, which utilizes three electric motors (one for the front wheels and two for the rear) paired to a 3.0L DOHC V6 with cylinder deactivation capability and a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. Together, the system can produce a combined maximum of 325 horsepower (up 35 over non-hybrid models). The company expects to earn official EPA ratings of 25/26/26 mpg city/highway/combined, a 7-mpg improvement over the non-hybrid MDX’s city rating.
According to a press release from Acura, the MDX is the best-selling three-row luxury crossover of all time and the company’s best-selling SUV overall. Based on what we’ve seen of the new vehicle, we don’t expect that trend to change. Check out the new MDX and MDX Sport Hybrid in the video below.
