The 2022 Acura MDX Type S Needs a Little More S

The Acura MDX is often reserved for the family-friendly luxurious crossover crowd. But Acura has stepped up its sport. The new 2022 MDX Type S is essentially the most highly effective and best-performing MDX Acura has ever created. But I nonetheless assume it wants a bit of extra, particularly if Acura desires individuals to take the Type S badge severely once more.

Full Disclosure: Acura’s fantastically good product individuals gladly lent me the MDX Type S for per week. It was delivered spotless with a full tank of gasoline. The child and I have been fairly comfy with it after over 700 miles of driving.

What Is It?

The Acura MDX has been round for a very long time now. The first mannequin debuted again in 2000 and thru 4 generations it’s been Acura’s premier household hauler. It sells fairly nicely, too: Since 2002, the MDX has constantly hit gross sales numbers between the low-40,000 to the high-50,000 vary, each single yr. In 2014, Acura bought practically 66,000 MDXes. Not dangerous for one thing that started off on the identical platform as the Honda Odyssey.

The present, fourth-generation MDX is all-new for the 2022 mannequin yr. There was no 2021 MDX — Acura skipped a yr, presumably, to get the brand new era prepared. It was previewed by a close to production-ready prototype in late 2020. The MDX went on sale in February of 2021 and the Type S later that yr. With the elimination of the Acura RLX, the luxurious sedan that everybody forgot, the MDX takes the throne because the model’s flagship.

Specs That Matter

Under the hood of the MDX Type S resides the identical 3.0-liter single-turbo V6 discovered within the TLX Type S. Power numbers are precisely the identical as within the TLX Type S as nicely: 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, the only real engine selection out there within the Type S. The acquainted 10-speed computerized is paired with Acura’s signature SH-AWD, and Brembo brakes sluggish all the things down. Those sit behind 21-inch wheels on low-profile high-performance tires.

All the luxurious goodies make for a heavy beast: The MDX Type S Advance I’ve right here ideas the scales at 4,788 kilos.

It’s a properly sized automobile. This new MDX has grown barely over the earlier era, now inside inches of opponents just like the Audi SQ7. Cargo capability behind the third row is eighteen.1 cubic toes; that grows to 48.4 cubic toes with the third-row seats folded. With each rows of rear seats stowed, you get a cavernous 95 cubic toes of cargo quantity for these Costco or Home Depot runs.

With the MDX Type S now serving because the flagship of the model, it comes with a flagship value. The MDX Type S is now the second costliest Acura the model has ever made. Including a $1,195 vacation spot cost, the MDX Type S begins at $67,895. Acura gave me a Type S Advanced, whole value $73,745. That’s some critical cash.

How Does it Drive

I’m certain you all wish to know if this factor lives as much as the Type S badge. It does, type of. The 355 hp is all the time on faucet. Turbo lag is minimal, regardless of a most of 15.1 kilos of increase. Turn the massive steel drive-mode knob and the Type S turns into a unique animal. There are six modes to select from: Normal, Comfort, Snow, Lift (solely out there beneath 37 mph, this raises the automobile’s air suspension by 50 mm), Sport and Sport+.

Comfort mode is definitely fairly comfortable. The Type S’s air suspension soaks up each bump. But you didn’t go for the Type S badge to wallow round in a pillow.

The performance-oriented drive modes are the place issues get attention-grabbing. While Sport is ok, you’ll wish to be in Sport+. The air suspension lowers by half an inch, the engine idles at the next pace for faster throttle response, an energetic exhaust valve opens, extra synthetic engine noise is piped into the cabin. The instrument panel turns purple, and also you get a g-meter, a bigger tachometer, and a turbo increase gauge. Time to tear.

Slam the throttle and 60 mph arrives in about 5.5 seconds. Throw this factor right into a nook and also you’ll have a second of readability as you understand that the SH-AWD system isn’t a gimmick. It really works. Acura has been growing and bettering this method since 2005; it’s now in its fourth era. With the power to ship 70 p.c of engine energy to the rear axle, and distribute 100% of an axle’s torque to a single wheel, it’s wild how this method works. Between the torque vectoring and the adaptive dampers, the Type S offers you a assured really feel in spirited driving. I normally really feel a bit uneasy in efficiency SUVs and crossovers — one thing a few high-center-of-gravity automobile cornering like a sport sedan is barely unsettling to me. But the best way the Acura powers out of a nook is mighty spectacular.

What’s Great

The exterior design is basically sharp. It’s good-looking; Acura describes the MDX as having “athletic proportions,” and I feel that matches. From the lengthy hood with the droplet grille and big Acura badge to the chicane taillights and brilliant quad exhaust ideas, all of it comes collectively as a sporty, evolutionary look that’s each acquainted and new. It’s truthfully an important change from the reasonably bubble-like previous generations of MDX.

The inside is a pleasant place to spend time. The middle display screen measures 12.3 inches, with a panorama structure that’s sharp and clear and handles Apple CarPlay fantastically. The white leather-based upholstery is elegant, and there’s a high quality really feel to all the switches and buttons. Acura likes to focus on the genuine supplies on this inside — the open-pore wooden on the doorways and sprint, the actual steel accents. The entrance seats have 16-way adjustment and 9 completely different therapeutic massage settings, plus heating and cooling. Perfect for an extended journey.

The centerpiece of the inside is the enormous panoramic roof. It’s one of many greatest I’ve ever encountered in any automobile. On a scorching sunny day, it nearly allows an excessive amount of mild. Thankfully, with the facility blackout shade closed, the inside stays a lot cooler.

With all of the ambient lighting choices, you’ll be able to create an entire visible expertise contained in the cabin. Acura provides a handful of preset lighting modes, dubbed Iconic Driver, all themed on driving locales world wide. From the red-hued Suzuka to the desert-orange Route 66, to the Vegas Strip (with purple, gold and turquoise), they’re all nice. It’s a gimmick, certain, however one I loved taking part in with. Pair that with the most effective sound programs ever put right into a automobile and also you’re actually cruising in luxurious. The ELS Studio 3D sound system has 25 audio system, 22 channels and over 1000 watts of energy. Acura must promote this method for properties. It’s that good.

What’s Weak

While you’ll respect the firmer suspension in Sport and Sport+, the big-inch wheels and low-profile tires could make the MDX Type S really feel harsh over tough roads. On an extended drive in Sport+, my girlfriend really began to get a bit of queasy within the passenger seat. (That’s principally my fault although.)

And whereas this can be a seven-seat household automobile, don’t anticipate to place anybody on the tall facet within the third row. Second-row legroom is okay (Acura claims 29.1 inches), however a tall particular person within the entrance row will eat into that.

And whereas Acura did an important job with that HD infotainment display screen, it’s wasted on an interface system most of us detest: a rattling touchpad. It’s actually the one strategy to function the display screen and navigate its menus — the display screen will not be touch-sensitive. I by no means totally acquired used to it, and attempting to work it shortly, to reply a telephone name or enter an adress into nav, could possibly be actually annoying.

Adding to the frustration is the truth that the display screen is break up into two menus, the smaller of which by no means leaves the display screen. That menu will get its personal small scroll pad operating alongside the right-hand fringe of the touchpad. I’m certain if this was my day by day driver, I’d ultimately get used to it, however the system is a bit unwieldy to navigate, significantly whereas driving.

Finally, for a efficiency automobile with an energetic exhaust, a sporty engine be aware is nonexistent. Just to verify I wasn’t lacking something, I sat in a parking zone and revved the engine with my son standing behind the automobile to see what it appeared like from outdoors. He got here again shrugging. “It doesn’t really sound like anything,” he stated. That’s barely disappointing, as these quad polished exhaust ideas look fairly critical.

Verdict

The greatest draw back to the MDX Type S is that it doesn’t fairly dwell as much as the Type S badge. You’re left wanting extra. While the fundamental specs — turbocharged V6 energy, torque-vectoring all-wheel drive — are spectacular on paper, the Acura lands in the course of the pack when in comparison with its opponents. The Type S badge, and the value hike that comes with it, places the top-tier MDX up towards some stiff competitors. The BMW X5 M50i prices $9,000 extra, however provides 170 further horsepower from a twin-turbo V8. Even the Genesis GV80 provides extra horsepower, whereas undercutting the Type S in value.

The value is one other knock towards the MDX Type S. While this can be a very good effort from Acura, in my thoughts, this isn’t a $74,000 automobile. To me, this could be a really good automobile in a mid-60s value vary.

Ultimately, what Acura has accomplished right here is much less an MDX Type S and extra an MDX A-Spec with a efficiency package deal. Acura must work a bit of bit tougher if it desires individuals to take the Type S badge severely, particularly on this value vary. A turbo V6 is an efficient begin; the performance-oriented all wheel drive system is spectacular, and the drive modes provide a definite vary of experiences, one thing that’s not all the time true in this sort of automobile.

But a 355-hp V6 and good-looking however barely nondescript styling received’t reduce it on this phase. The Type S wants a minimum of 100 further horses and extra distinctive styling to be taken severely amongst high-end efficiency crossovers. The Type S moniker has a wealthy historical past at Acura, however the MDX wants to determine how you can dwell as much as that heritage.