The Best Year For The Acura MDX
Acura MDX by Kevauto — CC BY-SA 4.0
We choose the 2020 model year for the best year for the Acura MDX because it has virtually no changes from the previous year, which usually means to us that Acura and MDX owners were and are still pretty satisfied with the way they were. It’s kind of like the old saying, “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it”.
High-technology, standard intelligent all-wheel-drive, powerful drivetrain, and seating for up to 6-7 passengers is what makes this SUV worth taking for a test drive. You’ll notice a smooth and quiet ride with good handling characteristics for both the hybrid and non-hybrid versions, and a price tag that falls under most of its competitors.
2020 Acura MDX Competitors
The best year for the Acura MDX has some serious competitors by brand. The BMW X5 hits hard in the class, but also has a serious price tag. The Audi Q7 is also pretty far up there in price, followed by the Cadillac XT6, then the Volvo XC90, then the Buick Enclave.
The 2020 Acura MDX comes in between the Volvo and the Buick when it comes to price range. Not only that, but next to the Volvo, the MDX gets better gas mileage than the rest of its competitors.
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2020 Acura MDX Trims/Powertrain/Gas Mileage/Towing
The 2020 Acura MDX non-hybrid comes in seven different trim packages: the base, Technology Package, Technology and Entertainment Package, Technology and A-Spec Package, Advanced Package, Advance and Entertainment Packages, and the PMC Edition.
All of these trim models come with the same powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 290 horsepower and 267-lb.-ft. of torque. Connected to a standard nine-speed automatic transmission, the MDX goes from 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds. Most models come standard with all-wheel drive, there are a few models where rear-wheel-drive is standard and optional all-wheel-drive can be optioned up.
Gas mileage for the MDX comes in at an EPA-Estimated 20 city / 27 hwy mpg for the front-wheel-drive and an EPA-Estimated 19 city / 25 hwy mpg for the all-wheel-drive.
The hybrid Acura MDX comes in two different trim packages: the Technology Package and the Advance Package. Both of these packages come with standard all-wheel drive, 3 electric motors, and a 3.0-liter V6 that makes 321 horsepower and 289 lb.-ft of torque combined.
This power gets sent through a 7-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission and manages to get MDX hybrid from 0-60 mph in 6.0 seconds - faster than the bigger engine. Fuel mileage comes in at an EPA-Estimated 26 city / 27 hwy mpg.
Technology Features and Creature Comforts
As far as the technology goes for the best year for the Acura, the only complaints have been the center stack filled with buttons and two different screens can be a little confusing to get the hang of. But beyond being a little too much to look at and play with, there are plenty of technologies there that makes your drive a lot easier once you get used to it.
The 8.0-inch top screen handles the available navigation system, and the lower 7.0-inch touchscreen handles all your amenities like standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, climate control, audio, and vehicle controls.
A lot of these features can be navigated on the steering wheel with steering wheel controls. A CD player, two USB ports in the first and second rows, and an extra USB port in the front for device hookup are included.
Optional technology includes GPS-linked climate control, fold-down entertainment display, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 12-speaker premium audio system oppressed to the standard six-speaker system.
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Add to the Acura MDX Experience by Purchasing an A-Spec Trim Model
A sportier look is added when you move to the A-Spec trim models. On the outside, you get a set of 20-inch rims, a rear spoiler, exhaust outlets, sportier front and rear bumpers, and an accented front grille.
Moving into the inside, you receive a little more bang for the buck when heated and ventilated seats are added, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, a red illumination instrumental panel for a fun look, and Alcantara trim details that flow throughout the cabin.
The New Acura MDX PCM Edition
What makes this edition so special, this MDX is not mass-produced, instead, it is hand-built in Acura’s Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio by the same skilled technicians who build the Acura NSX supercar. This special edition comes with features and details that can’t be ordered on any other one of the MDX trim models.
Cargo Space and Comfort
Cargo space comes in at a maximum of 68.4 cu.-ft. of cargo volume when the second and third-row seats are folded down. When the second-row seats are in the upright position you get 38.4 cu.-ft. of cargo volume, and when all the seats are folded up, you are reduced to 15 cu.-ft. of cargo volume.
For passengers to stretch their legs out in, there is a fair amount of room, but definitely not the most in its class. Front row passengers get 41.4 inches of legroom, second-row passengers get 38.5 inches of legroom, and third-row passengers get 30.9 inches of legroom. If you go with the hybrid, second-row passenger’s legroom drops to 37.5-inches.
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2020 Acura MDX Safety Features
The 2020 Acura comes standard with advanced driving features and an AcuraWatch safety suite which includes Blind-Spot Monitoring, Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking, Adaptive Crusie Control, and Lane-Departure Warning with Corrective Steering Assist. On certain trim models, Rear Cross-Traffic alert and Surround-View camera systems come as an option.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the MDX SUV a Five out of Five Star rating overall. And the Insurance Institution Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the best rating of Good in all categories except for an Acceptable rating in the headlight category.
Warranties and Reliability
So far there have been no recalls on the 2020 Acura MDX. Previous years for the 6-7 seater SUV have been known to be very reliable, and since this 2020 model technically received hardly any changes from 2019 models, we don’t see any reason why that should change.
Why Buy a 2020 Acura MDX
The 2020 MDX SUV comes with plenty of standard features that make it hard to compete with. A powerful engine throughout all trim models, fuel-efficient for its size, and still boasts enough ground clearance to venture a little off the beaten path. And although it’s a little on the expensive side, it’s really on the low side compared to its competition, making it the best year for the Acura MDX.
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