NYIAS: 2017 Acura MDX - The Big SUV Drops Its Shield

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Acura has two big changes in store for the refreshed 2017 MDX; one up front and in your face, the other hidden beneath its mainly familiar flanks.

The automaker’s flagship luxury SUV, revealed at the New York Auto Show, drops the “silver shield” grille that has adorned the face of Acuras big and small for years, favoring a diamond pentagon mouth reminiscent of the Acura Precision concept.

Acura said the Precision signaled a new design direction for the brand, so consider this the first shield to drop.

A subtly reshaped hood, fascia and front fenders, plus tweaked headlights and LED foglights that no luxury vehicle can be without, complete the facelift. Twin tailpipes and a restyled bumper bring up the rear.

The big mechanical news is the addition of Acura’s three-motor Sport Hybrid powertrain to the MDX line, borrowed from the NSX and RLX.

The system couples an electric motor to a 3.0-liter V6 (with cylinder deactivation) to motivate the front wheels, and adds two electric motors to the rear. The combined output of 325 horsepower tops the base 3.5-liter MDX by 35 hp, while the multiple propulsion sources allow for electric torque vectoring when the vehicle’s all-wheel drive system is put to work.

A seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission completes the fuel efficiency package. Acura says the hybrid MDX will beat the base model’s city fuel consumption by seven miles per gallon.

Inside, new option packages will satisfy passengers who demand rear captains chairs or a wide-screen viewing of Disney’s Frozen. Hopefully, there’s a headphone jack.

For the coming model year, Acura will make all of its autonomous safety technology standard on all MDX models, including automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, slow speed follow and road departure mitigation.

The AcuraWatch system is designed to reduce a driver’s workload, and, one would hope, insurance premiums.

[Images: Honda North America]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Gardiner Westbound Gardiner Westbound on Mar 23, 2016

    The 2017 MDX grille is very similar to the one the graced the 1996-2004 Acura RL. What's old is new again! http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2009/08/05/08/18/2004-acura-rl-3.5l-pic-32250.jpeg

  • Ceipower Ceipower on Mar 24, 2016

    How many years did Acura stick with the Ugly Beak look for the front end ?? This in spite of no one ever paying the beak look with a single positive comment. Die-Hards would buy the product , then immediately switch to a after market grill. Wow , Acura , your really on top of things!! In another 10 or 15 years you might even consider admitting you threw away/lost a ton of good will and customers when you dropped the names like Legend/Integra and went to the still confusing alphabet soup.

  • Ajla Those letters look like they are from AutoZone.
  • Analoggrotto Kia EV9 was voted the best vehicle in the world and this is the best TOYOTA can do? Nice try, next.
  • 3-On-The-Tree 4cyl as well.
  • Luke42 I want more information about Ford’s Project T3.The Silverado EV needs some competition beyond just the Rivian truck. The Cybertruck has missed the mark.The Cybertruck is special in that it’s the first time Tesla has introduced an uncompetitive EV. I hope the company learns from their mistakes. While Tesla is learning what they did wrong, I’ll be shopping to replace my GMC Sierra Hybrid with a Chevy, a Ford, or a Rivian — all while happily driving my Model Y.
  • 3-On-The-Tree I wished they wouldn’t go to the twin turbo V6. That’s why I bought a 2021 Tundra V8.
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