I’ve spent this week with the completely redesigned 2022 Acura MDX 3-row SUV. For 2022, the MDX is larger, sleeker, and has more room inside than the previous version of this flagship Acura SUV.
My test vehicle is the Type S, a storied name with Acura known for performance, going back over 20-years. This is the first time Acura has offered the S Type in an SUV. It also has the Advance package, which makes this the top-of-the-line MDX offered for 2022. There are no options on my review vehicle, everything I talk about comes standard.
Exterior
I truly love the exterior looks of the MDX. The 21” wheels are beautiful, there are big corner air inlets in the front and a large angular grill, a rear spoiler, and very attractive quad exhaust pipes in the rear. The Lunar Silver paint ranks as one of the best paint jobs I’ve ever seen from an automaker.
Powertrain
Under the sculpted hood sits a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 putting out 355-horses and a strong 354-pound feet of torque. It moves this 4,700-pound SUV very nicely. It is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles. It also has Acura’s terrific SH-AWD (Super Handling all-wheel drive) which transfers 70% of the power to the rear wheels when needed.
Interior
The interior of the MDX is most impressive. The seats, dash, and console are heavily stitched, and the dash and door panels feature a nice mixture of wood and gloss black. The seats are bolstered, but not overly, and they are heated, cooled, and have the best massaging feature I’ve ever experienced.
The gauge cluster is configurable from the power tilt steering wheel and easy to read. As you look through the windshield you see a large head-up display that is easy to read and has sign recognition. There is a graphic of the MDX in the center screen, and it even shows you if your blinkers or stop lights are in use.
Gone is the dual screen setup of old, which was quite antiquated. Replacing it is a single 12.5” screen that sits high on the center of the dash. This is not a touchscreen, however, but I wish it were. Instead, everything on the screen operates from a track pad on the center console. This is where the MDX and I have an issue. I find the track pad somewhat maddening, but as the week went along, it did get easier. For me, the answer is to do what Lexus did and give people the option of touching the screen OR using the track pad. I am ashamed to admit I had to watch a YouTube video to figure out how to operate the infotainment system.
The screen is easy to read and very colorful. From there you operate the ELS sound system with 25-speakers, the 360-degree camera system, navigation, SiriusXM, Alexa, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is a split screen design and you can choose what you want to see including the nav system or what audio you are listening to.
Under the screen are your air conditioning controls, the climate controlled and massaging seats, and a large round dial for the drive modes. You can choose from snow, comfort, normal, sport, and sport plus. You can also configure the elements of the drive modes to suit you individually. There are very distinctive differences in performance between the drive modes, especially sport plus.
On the center console itself, there are pushbuttons for the transmission, a couple of cupholders, a button for brake hold, another one to turn off the start/stop system, and a popup box of sorts that has two USB ports, a nice touch. This is where you also find the pesky track pad. A large armrest and storage area sits between the front seats. There is a huge cellphone charger that sits under a really comfortable palm rest.
The second-row seats are roomy and they slide forward and backward and recline. Back seat passengers get climate controlled air conditioning, heated-but not cooled seats, a 110-volt power outlet, and USB ports. In a brilliant feature, there is a large fold down console in the second-row seat that can easily be removed altogether to create captain’s chairs, or you can leave it in to have a bench seat.
Utility
Third row seating is limited, mostly for kids, but you could put two adults back there in an emergency. The cargo area is quite large and has a under floor area for more storage that is also very large. The 3rd row seats fold down and lay completely flat. The 3rd row seats are not power folding, however, but the liftgate is power and can be operated from the dash, the key fob, hands-free, or a button on the tailgate itself.
Standard Features
The MDX S Type is completely loaded with a panoramic moon roof, keyless entry and remote start, sport pedals, front and rear parking sensors, air suspension, LED headlights and taillights, 16-way power memory front seats, and ambient lighting throughout the cabin.
Safety
On the safety side, you get adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, forward collision warning and collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, road departure mitigation, and automatic high beam assist headlights.
Ride and Drive
The MDX S Type really performs well, has a nice exhaust note, acceleration is fantastic, and it is super quiet inside. When not in sport plus mode, the ride quality is very nice. All in all, it is a quite enjoyable SUV that stacks up nicely with the Audi Q7, the Genesis GV80, Lexus RX L, and the Mercedes GLS.
Fuel economy is 17 city, 21 highway, and 19 combined. Total MSRP with every conceivable option is $72,050 and that is an exceptional value by today’s standards.
Verdict
So, is the track pad enough to keep you away from this great SUV? Actually no. There are just so many other things to love, with more time, the track pad would become more intuitive, I’m sure.
3-row SUV shoppers, be sure this one is on your shopping list.
- What I Liked Most: The power, the handling, and the changes for 2022.
- What I would change: Sigh, the track pad. Give me a touchscreen, too.
- MSRP: As equipped $72,050.
- Fuel Economy: Rated at 17 City MPG/21 highway MPG/19 Combined.
- Odometer reading when tested: 1,900 miles.
- Weight: Approximately 4,700 pounds.
- Spare tire: None, run flat tires.
- Length-Width-Height: 198” long/79” wide/67” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.5 gallons with the filler on the driver’s side.
- Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds.
- Official Color: Lunar Silver Metallic.
- 2022 Acura MDX S Type in a few words: An extremely pleasurable to drive sport luxury SUV with some very innovative features.
- Warranty: 4-year/60,000 mile bumper-to-bumper, 8-year/70,000 mile powertrain warranty with roadside assistance.
- Final Assembly Location: East Liberty, Ohio.
- Manufacturer's website: Acura
