2022 Acura MDX Debuts as New Brand Flagship

The all-new 2022 MDX is the most premium, performance-focused, and technologically sophisticated SUV in Acura history. The fourth-generation MDX has undergone its most radical design transformation yet with a bold new exterior and a sophisticated interior design.

“This new fourth-generation MDX really builds on all of the values that have made MDX a perennial favorite with customers over the past 20 years,” said Tom Nguyen, MDX global development leader. “By injecting higher levels of craftsmanship, performance and technology, the 2022 MDX is truly a vehicle befitting of its flagship position.”

What’s New

• All-new Platform, Body and Chassis
• Double Wishbone Front Suspension, Multi-link Rear Suspension
• Enhanced 3.5-liter V6 powertrain (290 horsepower, 267 lb.-ft. of torque)
• 10-Speed Automatic Transmission (standard)
• Available 4th Generation Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®)
• 19 x 8.5-inch wheels (+1-inch diameter, +0.5-inch width) (standard)
• Panoramic Moonroof (standard)
• Multi-function Second-Row with Removable Middle Seat (standard)
• Integrated Dynamics System (Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, Individual) (standard)
• Available 16-Speaker, 710 watt ELS STUDIO 3D® premium audio system
• 12.3-inch Precision Cockpit™ all-digital instrument display (standard)
• 12.3-inch ultra-wide HD center display (standard)
• True Touchpad Interface (standard)
• Wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ integration (standard)
• Qi-compatible Wireless Charging and USB-C Charging (standard)
• Amazon Alexa Built-In (standard)
• Available CabinTalk®
• Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) (standard)
• Available Low Speed Braking Control
• Next Generation Passenger Front Airbag (standard)

Elevated Exterior Design

The new MDX features a bold and upright face, an intricately sculpted grill and hood, and a wide, aggressive stance. Much of the new design is shared with the Precision Concept that first unveiled in 2016.

The most significant dimensional change is the dash-to-axle ratio which has been extended by more than 4-inches. This lengthens the hood line significantly, giving MDX a premium “cab rearward” proportion, and emphasizing the power under its long and sharply creased hood.

The bold and sporty new look is accentuated by a multi-faceted Diamond Pentagon grille and new four-element JewelEye® LED headlights with an embedded Chicane™ daytime running light. Three-dimensional sculpting under the headlights serves to visually widen the front, blending to the fog light housing at the bottom.

The MDX’s windows are framed by a chrome strip (gloss black on A-Spec models) that begins in front of the mirrors on the front fender, running under the outside mirrors and ultimately circling the side windows. In the rear, the wide-set taillights have their Chicane™ design set in an eye-catching light-blade, and serve to define and enhance the width and stability of the pronounced rear fenders.

All-New Body Chassis

The all-new light truck platform underpinning the 2022 MDX targets the driving dynamics of a sport sedan. Designed from the outset in pursuit of Type S levels of performance, MDX sports its first-ever double-wishbone front suspension, combined with an all-new multilink rear suspension for incredibly precise road holding while maintaining the smooth ride that is a key MDX highlight.

The new platform also features improved body rigidity, paying dividends in ride comfort and handling in combination with improved collision safety performance. Quick, precise steering and more powerful brakes give the driver the ability to take full advantage of the new platform, in driving scenarios ranging from daily commutes to twisting canyon roads.

MDX’s double wishbone front suspension is a core feature of Acura’s performance DNA. The suspension delivers a larger tire contact patch through corners, helping to increase grip, while improving ride quality with greater vertical freedom of movement. The new rear suspension also improves stability and response, and together they give MDX a world-class combination of ride comfort and agility.

Steering

The 2022 MDX uses new belt-driven Electric Power Steering (EPS) with a high-output electric motor for increased steering assist, essential for the quicker steering ratio afforded by the new variable gear ratio steering system. The new EPS system’s variable gear ratio system is designed and tuned to provide the most essential characteristics, such as instantaneous response with a smooth, natural and precise steering feel. The variable ratio gives the new MDX increased agility in a variety of driving scenarios.

Improved Braking Performance

For 2022, MDX features enhanced braking capability, with larger and thicker front brake rotors, and a new electric brake booster. With front rotors that are 2mm thicker and 30mm larger in diameter, the new brakes can better withstand repeated hard stops without reduced performance (fade) thanks to a nearly 18-percent increase in heat capacity. The new electric brake booster allows the Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™) to react 230 milliseconds faster, reducing stopping distance from 30 mph by 12 feet.

Exterior Colors & Trim

The 2022 Acura MDX will be available in two standard (non-metallic) color finishes and six premium colors including two new offerings; Phantom Violet Pearl first offered on the 2021 TLX and an all-new Liquid Carbon Metallic. Apex Blue Pearl returns as an exclusive color offered on the MDX A-Spec. Gloss black accents front to rear, darkened headlight and taillight treatment and Shark-Gray wheels add a distinct sport appearance to the MDX A-Spec.

Interior Colors & Trim

MDX also will be available in six different interior color schemes, depending on package, including Ebony, Parchment, Graystone and Espresso. A-Spec models will be available exclusively in either Ebony or Red leather with black Ultrasuede® inserts. MDX with Technology Package and above feature seats wrapped in rich, soft-touch Milano leather seating surfaces with contrast stitching while Advance Package models add contrast piping for all three rows.

Driver-Focused 6 Passenger Cabin

Befitting its flagship status, the 2022 Acura MDX delivers the most premium and sophisticated cabin Acura has ever designed. The clean, horizontal design theme imparts a strong structural feel, softened with the use of high-grade authentic materials such as open-pore wood, brushed aluminum and soft-touch Milano leather. A hand-wrapped instrument panel with available top-stitching provides a premium touch beyond anything offered in MDX to date.

First-class front seat comfort is enabled via next-generation Acura sport seats featuring 12-way adjustment, three-way seat heating and three-position memory – all standard. MDX A-Spec adds ventilated front seats while the Advance Package gains additional power-adjusting side bolsters and thigh extensions for 16-way adjustment.

In the second-row, 2022 MDX features a first-in-class multi-function removable middle seat providing owners three discrete seating options; a traditional bench for 3-across seating and 7-passenger total capacity (middle seat up), a captain’s chair style wide center armrest with additional drink holders (middle seat down), or wide pass-through for access to the third row (middle seat removed), particularly useful when child seats are installed in the outboard second-row seats.

A hallmark of the MDX since its introduction in 2001, the third row is further improved on the 2022 MDX with an additional 0.4-inches of headroom, 2.4-inches of legroom and a seating position that’s 2-inches higher from the floor compared to the outgoing model. With the new standard panoramic moonroof on all MDX trims, the third row has a light and spacious feeling. In MDX Advance trim, third-row occupants have their own USB charging ports on the left and right side of the cabin.

Behind the third row, cargo space has been increased to 16.3 cu.-ft. (+1.5) and can expand up to 71.4 cu.-ft. (+3.0) with both second and third rows folded. The new MDX also features expanded under-floor storage behind the third row, with 80-percent more space available under the cargo floor. The floor panel drops into the cargo well to expand the MDX’s rear cargo area behind the third row to 18.1 cubic feet, and is reversible, with a carpeted side and an easy-to-clean hard side for dirty or wet items.

Precision Cockpit Digital Instrumentation

The 2022 Acura MDX features the new, all-digital Acura Precision Cockpit™, which replaces physical gauges with a customizable 12.3-inch driver’s meter. The new Precision Cockpit conveys information to the driver in personalized fashion, with drivers able to choose between two distinct appearances – Advanced and Crafted. In addition to different displays for the main gauges, a fully configurable content selection is available to the right of the display for functions such as navigation, trip computer, AcuraWatch™, maintenance, tire pressure, SH-AWD® status and a G-meter. Also new for 2022, MDX Advance Package benefits from a 10.5-inch full color Head-Up Display (HUD) that can show critical vehicle alerts, collision warnings, navigation instructions, vehicle speed, and incoming calls and texts.

Improved True Touchpad Interface

The 2022 MDX also benefits from the latest generation of Acura’s intuitive and driver-focused True Touchpad Interface™ (TTI), featuring Acura’s largest-ever center display. At an ultra-wide 12.3-inches, the full-HD display works seamlessly with the Acura-exclusive touchpad with “absolute positioning” and a new, more powerful CPU. The TTI in MDX features intuitive controls, including physical Power, Volume and Seek controls positioned within easy reach to the immediate right of the touchpad, along with more accurate swipe zones and handwriting recognition, as well as AI-driven Smart Shortcuts for quick and predictive access to common tasks.

Award Winning Audio

The 2022 MDX will be offered with three different audio experiences. The MDX is equipped with a 9-speaker, 7-channel system with 350 watts standard. The MDX Technology Package gets an ELS Studio® system with 12 speakers, including an additional center speaker on the dash plus two new ceiling-mounted speakers, running 550 watts through 12 channels. On A-Spec and Advance Packages, the ELS STUDIO 3D® premium audio system features additional speakers in the third row plus two more ceiling-mounted speakers for a total of 16, with a total of 710 watts through 16 channels. Both ELS STUDIO® systems were tuned and perfected by eight-time Grammy® award-winning music producer and sound engineer, Elliot Scheiner, for whom the ELS system was named.

Advanced Powertrain

The 2022 Acura MDX debuts with an advanced 3.5-liter direct-injected i-VTEC™ V6 engine rated at 290 peak horsepower and 267 lb.-ft. peak torque (both SAE net). It incorporates a range of advanced friction-reducing technologies that help boost fuel efficiency and power output, and features a crossflow magnesium intake manifold, special “tumble” type intake ports, piston-crown shapes and an 11.5:1 compression ratio. The i-VTEC™ (intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) for the intake valves is combined with Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™) to widen the power band and maximize fuel efficiency. For the first time, the 2022 MDX applies an Active Shutter Grille. In certain conditions, shutters in the lower grille close to divert air around the vehicle, thereby reducing aerodynamic drag. When the demand for cooling air increases, the shutters reopen.

For the first time, the 3.5-liter V6 in MDX is paired with Acura’s 10-speed automatic transmission with Sequential SportShift and standard paddle shifters. The transmission offers a wider gear ratio range, more discrete gears, four-gear direct downshifts and lower first gear compared to the previous 9-speed automatic transmission.

Torque Vectoring SH-AWD

The available rear-biased Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) system for MDX uses Acura’s industry-leading torque-vectoring all-wheel drive technology, and is offered as optional equipment on MDX and MDX with Technology Package. Now in its fourth generation, SH-AWD® has 40 percent more rear torque capacity and 30 percent quicker front-to-rear torque transfer than the third-generation system in the previous MDX. The Acura SH-AWD® system can transfer up to 70-percent of engine torque to the rear axle during normal driving conditions, while continuously apportioning up to 100 percent of that rear-axle torque between either the left or right rear wheels. The rear axle is continuously overdriven by 2.9-percent, which amplifies the yaw moment effect of left-to-right torque transfer, giving MDX even sharper and more accurate turn-in, with improved traceability when cornering.