Acura has unveiled its latest MDX Prototype, introducing a model that promises to be the most appealing, luxurious, and dynamic version of the MDX to date. While this vehicle is technically a prototype, it is anticipated that much of what has been revealed will appear in the production version, which is expected to reach showrooms in early 2021.
As it enters its fourth generation, the redesigned Acura MDX presents a lower, wider profile, featuring a lengthened hood and a rearward-shifted greenhouse. The overall aesthetic is striking, upscale, and harmonious, avoiding the common issue where a vehicle seems to have been designed by multiple teams.
Under the hood, the standard models of this flagship Acura SUV will feature a 3.5-liter V6 engine coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Meanwhile, the forthcoming Type S variant, set for release next summer, is expected to incorporate a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine—the same one utilized in the TLX Type S—delivering 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful SUV in the Acura lineup to date. The MDX Type S will also come standard with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, with the option available for regular MDX models.
Perhaps even more significant, the next-generation MDX will incorporate double-wishbone front suspension for the first time, similar to the all-new TLX. This configuration is known for being more complex, bulky, and expensive, yet it typically enhances both handling and ride comfort. It used to be a hallmark of Honda/Acura vehicles in the 1980s and 1990s but fell out of favor in the 2000s due to cost-cutting measures. Its return is a welcome shift.
The new MDX also features a longer wheelbase with wheels pushed closer to the corners, providing a more athletic stance. This extension not only improves ride quality but also increases interior space. Reports indicate enhancements in legroom across all three rows of seating, in addition to increased headroom in the first two rows.
Moreover, the MDX’s interior has seen a significant upgrade in quality, now showcasing materials like genuine open-pore wood with metallic accents, polished aluminum, and supple Milano leather. The light-colored leather—specifically named Light Orchid—is French-stitched onto the steering wheel and the lower dashboard, giving the interior a luxury feel reminiscent of the Bentayga. Additionally, the new 25-speaker, 1,000-watt “Signature Edition” ELS Studio 3D audio system features six carbon fiber coned mid-range woofers in the front console, tuned by eight-time Grammy award-winning producer Elliot Scheiner, further enhancing the high-end experience.
On the technology front, the new MDX features two 12.3-inch displays: one for a fully digital instrument cluster and the other serving as an ultra-wide infotainment screen. This center screen is the largest ever used in an Acura and operates via an “absolute positioning” touchpad, backed by a new, faster processor.
A panoramic sunroof floods the cabin with natural light, while an innovative front passenger airbag inspired by baseball gloves—first introduced in the TLX—comes standard in the MDX. The front seats offer 16-way power adjustments and nine massage modes, reportedly the highest number available in its segment, according to Acura. Competing brands looking to contest this claim are encouraged to reach out.
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