2025 Acura MDX Type S w/Advance in Urban Gray Pearl. Photo: CarPro.

SUV/Crossover

2025 Acura MDX SH-AWD Type S w/Advance Review

Written By: Amy Plemons | Jan 24, 2025 9:53:16 AM

This week I bring you the impressively refreshed 2025 Acura MDX Type S! By refreshed - I'm talking tweaked looks, notable design changes in the cabin, new technology and the debut of Acura's most powerful audio system yet.  The Type S - which sits atop the 5 trim lineup - also introduces the brand's new AcuraWatch 360 driver assistance system. The Type S is also newly standard with the formerly optional Advance Package.

Exterior

Acura's designers made some really great exterior tweaks to an already great-looking SUV. The front-end features a new front fascia that's both sleeker and more commanding at the same time. 

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The Type S's new frameless Diamond Pentagon grille with redesigned open-surface mesh is designed to provide airflow to the Turbo V6 under the hood. Acura's JewelEye LED headlights and Chicane LED daytime running lines give a sleek vibe to the front end.

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Redesigned Berlina Black 21-inch split-spoke wheels with a machined finish look fantastic set against Urban Gray Pearl,  a premium paint hue that joins the lineup for the first time this year after debuting on the 2024 TLX.  Red Brembo 4-piston front brake calipers give it a pop of sporty color. In back, the Type S is further differentiated with an exclusive rear diffuser and large quad exhaust outlets. 

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Other Type S Advance features include roof rails, heated power door mirrors, LED daytime running lights and LED fog lights.

Powertrain

The Type S delivers on its performance-badged promises, with a commanding 355 horsepower and nearly matching torque from a 3.0-liter Turbo V6 engine with idle stop-start. Shifts are seamless thanks to a quick and smooth shifting 10-speed automatic with rev matching downshifts and paddle shifters.  Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive is standard. The Type S is also equipped with Remote Engine Start.

Interior

Now let's talk about the cabin.  Wood trim, premium, cushiony leather, and impeccable contrast stitching, it's all here.  

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Perforated Milano-leather trimmed, heated and ventilated, front Sport seats keep you in supportive comfort, and look fantastic, too, with piping and Ultrasuede inserts. They're not only 16-way power adjustable, but they also have 9-way power massage. I also love the all-digital Precision Cockpit driver display with navigation which remains unchanged this year. A Type S-exclusive flat-bottomed sport steering wheel gets the perforated leather treatment, too, and it's heated.   Stainless steel sport pedals greet your feet.

Every 2025 MDX benefits from a new 12.3-inch multi-media screen. It may not look terribly different, but under the skin, it is.  This one's a touchscreen.  It runs Acura's familiar multimedia system, which is compatible with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.  New for 2025, Google Built-In, which I have quickly become of fan of in recent Honda models I've reviewed. It will even tell you when your favorite football team is playing next. It's also where you access Acura's 27-hued Iconic Drive theme lighting and you can also set it to change colors based on what driving mode you're in.

The 2025 MDX Type S also debuts Acura's most powerful sound system ever - a bespoke 31-speaker, 1,760-watt, Bang & Olufsen Ultra Sound System. Twelve of those speakers are in the headliner! It sounds terrific! The brushed aluminum speaker grilles looks fantastic, too.  

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The center stack is where you find traditional button climate controls - along with GPS-linked climate that can adjust the temp depending on where you are.

There are also some big changes for the redesigned center console. Sure, there are some familiar features, like the large Dynamic Mode button, and hidden USB ports. However, it ditches the Acura True Touchpad Interface, along with the palm rest that went with it, so that frees up a lot of space. A lot of it is taken by the available wireless charger. The shift-by-wire gear shift doesn't change, but I sure wish Acura would spruce it up a bit, the shift buttons would be better served with higher quality switchgear.

A roomy, heated, reclining second row features one of the coolest features of the MDX - a removable middle seat that doubles as a large center console with cupholders. It is very nicely done. 

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Back seat passengers can also control their own destiny, in terms of climate control anyway, with their own "Command Center" of sorts.  They get USB-C ports, too.  Second-row sunshades are a bit on the thin side. Overhead, you get a great view thanks to a large panoramic sunroof.  I do however wish the seat backs were soft-touch instead of plastic which invites scuffs. 

While not "power", accessing the third row is easy via a button on the 2nd row seats that will slide them forward. The 50/50 split third row is big enough for two adults, though leg-room is better than headroom which is a little sparse.   I consider this one of the comfier 3rd rows out there. Family-friendly features include CabinTalk which allows the driver to talk to rear seat passengers.

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You open up the hands-free tailgate to plenty of cargo space, even with the 3rd-row up.  Plus, there's a hidden storage compartment underneath the cargo floor. You'll also find a 12V power outlet back there, too. 

Ride and Drive

The MDX Type S is one of my favorite SUVs not just for its looks and cabin quality - but for its ride and drive.  It's just such an enjoyable,  fun and engaging SUV to drive. While it's a large SUV, it doesn't drive like one.

Acceleration from the Turbo is fantastic - especially given its size and weight - and the Type S's adaptive air suspension with auto leveling gives is an incredibly smooth ride.  Handling is terrific too. Sport+ mode really tightens up steering response - and you'll get a sporty exhaust note too without waking the neighbors. 

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It handles wet roads with ease thanks to SH-AWD - as I can attest to from driving to an emergency vet one night in drizzly, inclement weather.  

This year, Acura says it's upped the quietness factor in the cabin by reducing road noise by 10% thanks to upgraded front and rear fender liners, additional door insulators and laminated glass in the rear doors to further reduce wind noise.  I will say the ride is quiet.

Safety

The 2025 MDX debuts AcuraWatch 360 - the automaker's most advanced driver assistance system yet thanks to additional front corner radars, a higher-fidelity front camera and new front millimeter wave radar. The updated system introduces new safety features including Active Lane Change Assist, Lane Change Collision Mitigation and Front Cross Traffic Warning.

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Blind Spot Info and Rear Cross Traffic monitor are standard across the lineup - and the Type S adds Blind Spot with Steering Assist, along with a Surround View Camera system, front/rear parking sensors and a terrific 10.5-inch Head-Up Display.

Seatbelt Reminder is standard across the lineup.

What You'll Pay

The premium paint hue is my test vehicle's only option - bringing the total MSRP to just over $75K - perfectly priced in my opinion.

Verdict 

Acura's made some great updates to the MDX for 2025 and this remains one of my favorite large 3-row SUVs on the road for its overall luxury and sporty driving dynamics.   

  • What I liked most:   Looks, premium cabin quality, exceptional performance driving dynamics
  • What I would change:  Plastic seat backs deter from the luxury appeal.
  • MSRP: Base price $74,950; as equipped $75,550 with transportation.
  • Fuel Economy:  17 city/21 highway/19 overall.
  • Official Color:   Urban Gray Pearl ($600).
  • Odometer reading when tested:  1,396 miles.
  • Weight:  4,776 pounds.  
  • Spare Tire:   Self sealing tire. (A Tire Repair Kit is Available.)
  • Length-Width-Height:  198.4” long/78.7” width/67.9” high.
  • Fuel Tank Capacity:   18.5 gallons with the filler on the driver's side.  (Premium recommended.)
  • Towing Capacity:   5,000 pounds.
  • 2025 Acura MDX in a few words:  Great updates for 2025 makes this already-terrific performance SUV even better.
  • Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles new vehicle warranty; 6 years/70,000 mile Powertrain Limited Warranty, complimentary maintenance for one year or 12,000 miles. 
  • Final Assembly Location:  Marysville, Ohio
  • Manufacturer’s website:  Acura
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