2024 Acura MDX SH-AWD Type S Advance Review

Well consider me more than impressed. Again. And with Type S badging, could I be anything but? I'm talking about this week's test drive the 2024 Acura MDX Type S w/Advance. After reviewing the Integra Type S last fall, and dubbing it one of my favorite all-time favorite rides, I can now add the MDX Type S to that list. It's a fantastic SUV I wouldn't mind having in my driveway. 

Exterior 

First off this is one great looking SUV.  Especially in Apex Blue Pearl.  It rides on 21-inch alloy wheels wrapped in self sealing tires.  The grill up front is flanked by Acura's Jewel Eye LED headlights and Chicane LED daytime running lights.

 

 

 

 

 

The Type S package features an exclusive front facia and badging, along with LED fog lights, power folding mirrors and rain sensing wipers. The Type S also makes a sporty statement on the tail end with quad exhaust outlets and a rear diffuser.  

Performance  

The Type S gets its high performance status thanks to what's under the hood:  a 3.0-liter Turbo engine that delivers 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque.  It's mated to a very smooth shifting 10-speed automatic transmission with a fantastic shift-by-wire gear shift and steering wheel paddle shifters.  The Type S is equipped with Acura's well-regarded Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) which is fantastic. Front Brembo brakes also highlight its performance capability.   You can remotely start the engine on the key fob.

Interior

I absolutely love the two-tone Orchid interior of my MDX Type S Advance test vehicle. It has to be one of my favorite all-time interiors.  The Advance package is the top-of-the-line trim, so we're talking soft-touch materials, premium switchgear, and open pore wood trim.  The hand-wrapped leather dash with French stitching exudes luxury.

 

 

 

 

Supremely comfortable perforated Milano-leather trimmed Sport seats beckon you when you open the door. The bolstered driver's seat with a thigh extender is 16-way power adjustable.  Both front seats feature 9 mode massage.  I'd go as far as to say the front seats impress me to the point they remind me of a Genesis and that's saying something. The Type S-exclusive flat-bottomed sport steering wheel features perforated leather, silver trim and Type S badging. It's also heated thanks to the Advance package.

Acura's also done a really great job with ergonomics in here. Take the large dual level center console, which is anything but minimalistic.  Up top it has a palm rest which supports your hands as you control various functions ergonomically placed at your fingertips. In front of the palm rest you find a large wireless charging pad. The upper area of the console also houses a shift by wire gear select (which I love.) I also love the hidden USB ports that extend from the console when you release them. 

Above the console area on the center stack, digital dual zone climate is set via switch gear, not haptic controls.  Buttons are also used for climate functions like the heated seats.  A large Acura Dynamic Mode button is where you access the five drive modes: Snow, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Lift.  The graphics are great though I wish the screen stayed up a little longer.

 

 

 

In the cabin, the mix of materials in the Advance trim include silver trim, glossy black and a wonderful dark open-pore wood trim that looks just fantastic on the door panels. The ELS Studio speakers look magnificent too. 

Speaking of - the Advance trim's 25-speaker ELS Studio 3D Signature Edition Premium Audio system is so incredible I hereby harken it as one of the best premium car audio systems I've ever heard. Yes, it's that amazing. 

Other Type S package amenities include Iconic Drive Ambient 27-color LED Cabin Lighting, Sport Pedals, and Ventilated Front Seats.

 

 

 

 

 

The 2nd row feels very First Class. It's impressively roomy and passengers are treated to their own removable middle seat that doubles as a large center console. The Advance package includes heated second row seats.  They also have their own "Command Center" to speak of with A/C and heated seats controls along with USB ports. The Type S package adds 2nd-row sunshades. Overhead a large panoramic sunroof gives a spectular view of the sky above.

The third row is easy to access with the touch of a button on the 2nd row seats. The 50/50 split third row is big enough for two adults, though you'll need to watch the headroom.  The seats are cushiony and you get USB ports back there along with small cupholders.  

Utility

Open up the Advance Package's hands-free power lift gate and you'll see a decent amount of cargo space, even with the third row up. A hidden cargo area space underneath gives you additional space.  

Technology

Technology in the MDX is excellent. There are two large 12.3-inch displays. 

A fantastic 12.3-inch HD Precision Cockpit digital display features wonderful animated motion graphics. It's also bright and so easy to read.

 

 

 

 

A 12.3-inch dual screen display sits back upon the center dash.  It displays terrific drive mode graphics, however I do wish it were a touchscreen. You control it via the True Touchpad interface on the center console.  It houses a backup camera with terrific resolution.  The MDX Type S Advance is also equipped with 3D Navigation and voice command which works great.  The multimedia system is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Sirius XM, HD Radio, Bluetooth, WIFI Hotspot. The MDX also has Alexa Built In. The Type S Advance is also equipped with Cabin Talk.

Ride and Drive

I also can't say enough about the MDX's ride and drive. It really is an enjoyable, fun and engaging SUV to drive.  Its incredibly smooth ride is the result of the Type S's Adaptive Air Suspension with Auto Leveling. It expertly adjusts to the road ahead. Acceleration and handling are both outstanding, especially for an SUV this size. The MDX delivers a quiet ride as well, outside the sporty exhaust note of Sport+ Mode. Sport+ really tightens up the steering response as well. I would also say that while this is a large SUV, it doesn't feel like you're driving a large SUV.

Safety 

The MDX is equipped with ACURAWATCH driver assistance features including Forward Collision Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Road Departure Mitigation, Collision Mitigation Braking and Traffic Jam Assist. 

The Type S Advance is additionally equipped with Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Monitor and Front and Rear Parking Sensors.  It also has great, large, easy to see 10.5-inch Head Up Display along with a Surround View Monitor.

What You'll Pay

My test vehicle's only option is the gorgeous Blue Apex Pearl paint ($600) bringing total MSRP to just over $75,000 - which I think is a fantastic value for this impressive and loaded with amenities SUV

Verdict

Acura continues to impress with its Type S-badged vehicles. There is no question that the 2024 Acura MDX Type S Advance should be on your shopping list of three-row SUVs if luxury, performance, and exceptional handling are on your wish list.