Acura MDX History
Acura's flagship three-row luxury SUV — the brand's best-selling model since 2001, now in its fourth generation.
Photo: “ACURA MDX (YD2) China (20)” by Dinkun Chen / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
History
Introduced as a 2001 model (on sale October 2000), the MDX replaced the slow-selling body-on-frame SLX and became an immediate hit, winning the 2001 North American Truck of the Year and Motor Trend SUV of the Year awards. Its combination of carlike handling, three-row seating, and standard all-wheel drive defined the aspirational family SUV segment and made it Acura's best-selling vehicle.
The second generation (2007–2013) debuted Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive on the MDX along with a 3.7-liter V6, the largest engine ever fitted to the model. The third generation (2014–2020) moved to a lighter unibody platform and added a front-wheel-drive option. The current fourth generation (2022–present) returns to standard all-wheel drive across the lineup and offers a Sport Hybrid SH-AWD variant with significantly increased output.
Generations
First generation · YD1 (2001–2006)
3.5L V6; standard AWD; 2001 NACTOY and Motor Trend SUV of the Year.
Second generation · YD2 (2007–2013)
Photo: “ACURA MDX (YD2) China (20)” by Dinkun Chen / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
SH-AWD debut; 3.7L V6 (300 hp); largest displacement ever in an MDX.
Third generation · YD3 (2014–2020)
Photo: “2019 Acura MDX SH-AWD front in white NYIAS 2019” by Kevauto / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Lighter unibody platform; FWD option added; Sport Hybrid SH-AWD variant.
2019 Photo: “2019 Acura MDX SH-AWD front in white NYIAS 2019” by Kevauto / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Fourth generation · YE1 (2022–present)
Photo: “2023 Acura MDX SH-AWD A-Spec in Liquid Carbon Metallic, front right” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Standard AWD across lineup; 3.0L Sport Hybrid SH-AWD option at 355 hp.
2022 Photo: “2022 Acura MDX SH-AWD base in Performance Red Pearl, front right” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
2023 Photo: “2023 Acura MDX SH-AWD A-Spec in Liquid Carbon Metallic, front right” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
2024 Photo: “Acura MDX Advance SH-AWD (2024) (53625374928)” by Charles from Port Chester, New York / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Body styles
- SUV
Related models
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