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A Minor Refresh Makes a Big Difference for the 2025 Acura MDX
Drew Dowdell posted an article in Acura
As one of Acura's most popular models, Acura doesn't need to change much with the formula of the MDX to keep it great. Still, for 2025, Acura included some minor revisions that might be a big deal to some. Mechanically, all of the dirty bits you don't see carry over, so if you liked the ride and drive before, you will again. The engines available remain a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6, making 290 horsepower, or the stouter 335 horsepower 3.0-liter turbo V6 that comes in the Type-S. Either one is mated to a 10-speed automatic. Externally, you'll need to put the 2024 model next to the 2025 model to notice the changes. The front bumper has a new shape, the grille is wider, and there is a new mesh design. Acura has rejigged the entire trim lineup, adding a new A-Spec Advance that offers a taste of features previously only available on the Type-S. The Type-S itself has been dropped and is now only available in the top-of-the-line Type-S Advance trim. Both A-Spec Advance and Type-S Advance come with quilted leather front seats with massage, a heated second row, sound isolation, and a heads-up display. The Type-S Advance also gets a heated steering wheel and a 31-speaker Bang & Olufsen entertainment system, up from the previous year's 25-speaker ELS unit. The most welcome change is the removal of the console-mounted touchpad in place of a new 12.3-inch touchscreen. Removing the touchpad also makes more room for additional storage and a closer reach for the wireless phone charging pad. The infotainment system is powered by Google Built-In and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. If you didn't opt for the Type-S Advance trim, you'll have to make due with an 11-speaker system in the lower trims or a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen system in the higher trims. On the safety front, the 2025 Acura MDX gets an upgraded AcuraWatch safety suite with a new front camera and grille-mounted radar that improves detection range. The field of view is wider to spot pedestrians and lane markings. Range for the blind-spot monitoring system is also improved. The upgrades will arrive as soon as next month when the 2025 Acura MDX goes on sale. No pricing has been announced. -
As one of Acura's most popular models, Acura doesn't need to change much with the formula of the MDX to keep it great. Still, for 2025, Acura included some minor revisions that might be a big deal to some. Mechanically, all of the dirty bits you don't see carry over, so if you liked the ride and drive before, you will again. The engines available remain a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6, making 290 horsepower, or the stouter 335 horsepower 3.0-liter turbo V6 that comes in the Type-S. Either one is mated to a 10-speed automatic. Externally, you'll need to put the 2024 model next to the 2025 model to notice the changes. The front bumper has a new shape, the grille is wider, and there is a new mesh design. Acura has rejigged the entire trim lineup, adding a new A-Spec Advance that offers a taste of features previously only available on the Type-S. The Type-S itself has been dropped and is now only available in the top-of-the-line Type-S Advance trim. Both A-Spec Advance and Type-S Advance come with quilted leather front seats with massage, a heated second row, sound isolation, and a heads-up display. The Type-S Advance also gets a heated steering wheel and a 31-speaker Bang & Olufsen entertainment system, up from the previous year's 25-speaker ELS unit. The most welcome change is the removal of the console-mounted touchpad in place of a new 12.3-inch touchscreen. Removing the touchpad also makes more room for additional storage and a closer reach for the wireless phone charging pad. The infotainment system is powered by Google Built-In and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. If you didn't opt for the Type-S Advance trim, you'll have to make due with an 11-speaker system in the lower trims or a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen system in the higher trims. On the safety front, the 2025 Acura MDX gets an upgraded AcuraWatch safety suite with a new front camera and grille-mounted radar that improves detection range. The field of view is wider to spot pedestrians and lane markings. Range for the blind-spot monitoring system is also improved. The upgrades will arrive as soon as next month when the 2025 Acura MDX goes on sale. No pricing has been announced. View full article
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From the album: 2025 Acura MDX
2025 Acura MDX with Advance Package speaker -
From the album: 2025 Acura MDX
2025 Acura MDX with Advance Package -
From the album: 2025 Acura MDX
2025 Acura MDX Type S wheel and brakes -
From the album: 2025 Acura MDX
2025 Acura MDX A-Spec grille -
From the album: 2025 Acura MDX
2025 Acura MDX Type S grille -
From the album: 2025 Acura MDX
2025 Acura MDX Type S front seat -
From the album: 2025 Acura MDX
2025 Acura MDX A-Spec interior -
From the album: 2025 Acura MDX
2025 Acura MDX Type S front -
From the album: 2025 Acura MDX
2025 Acura MDX Type S side -
From the album: 2025 Acura MDX
2025 Acura MDX Type S -
From the album: 2025 Acura MDX
2025 Acura MDX with Advance Package -
From the album: 2025 Acura MDX
2025 Acura MDX with Advance Package -
From the album: 2025 Acura MDX
2025 Acura MDX A-Spec -
From the album: 2025 Acura MDX
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From the album: 2025 Acura MDX
2025 Acura MDX A-Spec and MDX Type S -
A vehicle refresh can include updates to technology, slight design changes, and updates to interiors. For 2024, the Acura TLX is back with a few exterior design changes. The most prominent is the front-end with new grille. TLX still uses slim headlights but incorporates a better designed grille. At the side, both the regular TLX and A-Spec TLX come with new 19-inch five-spoke wheels in dark gray. Step-up to the Type S models come with 20-inch black wheels; Type S models can be had with high-performance tires and copper 20-inch wheels. At the rear, A-Spec models get a new diffuser along with rounded exhaust tips. Since the Type S already aggressive styling, the rear remains mostly the same. An optional carbon-fiber spoiler is available for the Type S. Acura has included two new paint colors for the 2024 TLX. The first one is a dark Liquid Carbon Metallic paint for TLX's with the Technology Package. A-Spec and Type S vehicles can be had with Urban Gray paint. Engines remain the same for all models. A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four comes with the TLX and A-Spec, while the Type S continues with its 3.0-liter turbocharged V6. All get a 10-speed automatic transmission. Interior changes include both a 12.3-inch digital display and infotainment system. TLX now offers Amazon Alexa Built-In, along with a standard wireless phone charger and rear-seat charging ports. A-Spec TLXs come with thicker carpets, better sound-deadening, and acoustic glass. The TLX still comes with a push-button transmission selector and mousepad for the infotainment system. Interior leather includes black and red, although the Type S has a unique Pearly Orchid color. Although changes may look minimal, Acura has raised prices for the 2024 TLX. It now starts at $46,195 for a front-wheel-drive TLX with Technology Package. Last year's TLX without the Technology Package cost $5,000 less but lowers to $950 more with it. A-Spec and Type S models also see a price increase of between $1,000 and $1,250. A-Spec Models cost $51,195 and the Type S costs $58,195. The 2024 Acura TLX will arrive at dealerships at the end of November. View full article
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A vehicle refresh can include updates to technology, slight design changes, and updates to interiors. For 2024, the Acura TLX is back with a few exterior design changes. The most prominent is the front-end with new grille. TLX still uses slim headlights but incorporates a better designed grille. At the side, both the regular TLX and A-Spec TLX come with new 19-inch five-spoke wheels in dark gray. Step-up to the Type S models come with 20-inch black wheels; Type S models can be had with high-performance tires and copper 20-inch wheels. At the rear, A-Spec models get a new diffuser along with rounded exhaust tips. Since the Type S already aggressive styling, the rear remains mostly the same. An optional carbon-fiber spoiler is available for the Type S. Acura has included two new paint colors for the 2024 TLX. The first one is a dark Liquid Carbon Metallic paint for TLX's with the Technology Package. A-Spec and Type S vehicles can be had with Urban Gray paint. Engines remain the same for all models. A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four comes with the TLX and A-Spec, while the Type S continues with its 3.0-liter turbocharged V6. All get a 10-speed automatic transmission. Interior changes include both a 12.3-inch digital display and infotainment system. TLX now offers Amazon Alexa Built-In, along with a standard wireless phone charger and rear-seat charging ports. A-Spec TLXs come with thicker carpets, better sound-deadening, and acoustic glass. The TLX still comes with a push-button transmission selector and mousepad for the infotainment system. Interior leather includes black and red, although the Type S has a unique Pearly Orchid color. Although changes may look minimal, Acura has raised prices for the 2024 TLX. It now starts at $46,195 for a front-wheel-drive TLX with Technology Package. Last year's TLX without the Technology Package cost $5,000 less but lowers to $950 more with it. A-Spec and Type S models also see a price increase of between $1,000 and $1,250. A-Spec Models cost $51,195 and the Type S costs $58,195. The 2024 Acura TLX will arrive at dealerships at the end of November. -
For the past decade, Acura has felt lost at sea. Not sure of what it wanted to be as a brand. This was shown by mixed messaging in their lineup as they weren’t sure to focus on luxury, technology, or sport. This muddled mess of identities would cause a fair amount of issues. But in the past couple of years, Acura started to get its act together thanks in part to new leadership. The first fruits of their efforts came last year in the form of the third-generation RDX. It has been over two years since I last drove an Acura, so when the opportunity for an RDX A-Spec landed on my desk, I took it with both hands. It was time to see what Acura has been up to and if they’re taking a step in the right direction. You Want Presence? You Got It! The RDX is the first production model to feature Acura’s newest design language and its no shrinking violet. The front end draws your attention with a large trapezoidal grille paired with a massive Acura emblem. Sitting on either side is Acura’s Jewel-Eye LED headlights that add a distinctive touch. My A-Spec tester takes it further with distinctive front and rear bumpers, 20-inch alloy wheels finished in black, and a special Apex Blue Pearl color that is only available on this trim. This crossover garnered a lot of looks during the week I had, something I hadn’t experience in quite some time. Cozy, Polarizing Interior The RDX’s interior captures the feeling of being in a sports car with a symmetrical dashboard design that cocoons the front passengers. A rotary drive-mode selector found in the center stack echos the design found in the NSX supercar. While it does emphasize the sporty nature of the vehicle, the position of the knob does make the climate controls a bit hard to reach. A-Spec models have some special touches such as red contrast stitching, a suede panel on the passenger side of the dashboard, and new trim for the instrument cluster that help it stand out. Material and build quality are quite close to some competitors from Germany. A set of sport seats with increased bolstering and power adjustments come standard on the A-Spec. I found them to be quite comfortable for any trip length and were able to hold me if I decided to be a bit enthusiastic. Back seat passengers will be plenty comfortable with an abundance of head and legroom. I would have like to see the back seat be able to slide forward and back to offer more comfort. Cargo space is towards the top of the class with 29.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 58.9 when folded. There’s also a little storage nook under the cargo floor to stash valuables. Intuitive Infotainment? Acura’s previous infotainment system drew a lot of ire from people. The dual-screen layout was confusing as some functions were split between the two screens such as changing the audio input. Not helping was the two different control methods for this setup; touchscreen for the bottom portion and a controller for the top screen. Thankfully, Acura has introduced a new infotainment system for the RDX. A large 10.2-inch screen sits on top of the dash and is controlled by a touchpad on the center console. Seeing the touchpad for the first time sent chills down my spine as I thought back to my frustrating experiences with Lexus’ Touchpad Controller. But Acura says this controller is much easier and logical to use than competitors. Okay, challenge accepted. Acura’s touchpad controller is slightly different from Lexus’ setup as it is mapped to the screen. So if you want to access the navigation, you tap that part of the pad that corresponds to the screen. This removes the dragging of the finger across the touchpad to get it to the selection you want. This seems quite logical on paper, but I found to be somewhat frustrating. It took me a few days to mind-meld with the system as I was still used to dragging my finger across the touchpad to select various functions. This made simple tasks such as changing presets or moving around in Apple CarPlay very tough. There is also a smaller touchpad that controls a small section of the screen. This allows you to scroll through three menus - audio, navigation, and clock. This would prove to be the most frustrating aspect of this system as it didn’t always recognize whenever I scroll down on the touchpad to move to another screen. Thankfully, Acura has left a number of physical controls for the audio and climate systems. I’m glad that some luxury automakers aren’t falling into the trap. Powertrain Goes Back To Its Roots The RDX has always found itself with a different powertrain throughout its various generations. The first version used a turbo-four engine, while the second-generation moved to a V6. For the third-generation, Acura went back to the RDX’s roots and settled on another turbo-four engine. The 2.0L engine punches out 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with a 10-speed automatic and either front or my tester’s Super-Handling all-wheel drive system. The turbo-four is quite a potent engine with little turbo lag when leaving a stop and a seemingly endless amount of power for any situation. The ten-speed automatic is very smooth and quick when upshifting. But it does stumble somewhat when you need a quick shot of speed. I did notice that the 2.0L turbo isn’t a quiet engine when traveling on the expressway, going above 2,000 rpm when traveling at 70 mph. This may explain the slightly disappointing 21.7 mpg average I got during the week. EPA fuel economy figures for the A-Spec SH-AWD are 21 City/26 Highway/23 Combined. The standard RDX models see a small bump in their EPA fuel economy figures. Capable Driver Acura is no stranger to building a crossover that is good to drive, the larger MDX crossover is a prime example. But the RDX A-Spec takes that a step further. This version gets a slightly stiffer suspension setup which negates a fair amount of body roll on a winding road. The steering firms up nicely when pushed through corners. When going through the daily grind, the RDX A-Spec will let in a few more bumps and road imperfections due to its suspension tuning. Road and wind noise are kept to very minimal levels. Welcome Back Acura The 2020 RDX shows that Acura is starting to figure out what it wants to be; a brand that offers something playful in the class. The RDX certainly has the qualities with a bold exterior, punchy turbo-four, and a surprising chassis that offers sporty handling and a mostly-comfortable ride. The slightly-confounding infotainment system and poor fuel economy figures do sour it a bit. But the RDX is a very compelling alternative to many compact luxury crossovers. It does give me hope that Acura is figuring out who it wants to be and excited to see what comes down the road such as the new TLX. How I Would Configure An RDX: For me, I would basically take the exact RDX tester seen here. That will set me back $47,195 after adding destination and $400.00 paint option. Everyone else should look at the Technology package that will get you most of the safety equipment that is part of Acurawatch, along with a 12-speaker ELS audio system, navigation, and parking sensors. It will not break the bank at $41,000 for FWD or $43,000 for AWD. Disclaimer: Acura Provided the RDX, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2020 Make: Acura Model: RDX Trim: A-Spec Engine: Turbocharged 2.0L DOHC 16-Valve VTEC Four-Cylinder Driveline: 10-Speed Automatic, All-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 272 @ 6,500 Torque @ RPM: 280 @ 1,600 - 4,500 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 21/26/23 Curb Weight: 4,015 lbs Location of Manufacture: East Liberty, Ohio Base Price: $45,800 As Tested Price: $47,195 (Includes $995.00 Destination Charge) Options: Premium Exterior Color - $400.00 View full article
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For the past decade, Acura has felt lost at sea. Not sure of what it wanted to be as a brand. This was shown by mixed messaging in their lineup as they weren’t sure to focus on luxury, technology, or sport. This muddled mess of identities would cause a fair amount of issues. But in the past couple of years, Acura started to get its act together thanks in part to new leadership. The first fruits of their efforts came last year in the form of the third-generation RDX. It has been over two years since I last drove an Acura, so when the opportunity for an RDX A-Spec landed on my desk, I took it with both hands. It was time to see what Acura has been up to and if they’re taking a step in the right direction. You Want Presence? You Got It! The RDX is the first production model to feature Acura’s newest design language and its no shrinking violet. The front end draws your attention with a large trapezoidal grille paired with a massive Acura emblem. Sitting on either side is Acura’s Jewel-Eye LED headlights that add a distinctive touch. My A-Spec tester takes it further with distinctive front and rear bumpers, 20-inch alloy wheels finished in black, and a special Apex Blue Pearl color that is only available on this trim. This crossover garnered a lot of looks during the week I had, something I hadn’t experience in quite some time. Cozy, Polarizing Interior The RDX’s interior captures the feeling of being in a sports car with a symmetrical dashboard design that cocoons the front passengers. A rotary drive-mode selector found in the center stack echos the design found in the NSX supercar. While it does emphasize the sporty nature of the vehicle, the position of the knob does make the climate controls a bit hard to reach. A-Spec models have some special touches such as red contrast stitching, a suede panel on the passenger side of the dashboard, and new trim for the instrument cluster that help it stand out. Material and build quality are quite close to some competitors from Germany. A set of sport seats with increased bolstering and power adjustments come standard on the A-Spec. I found them to be quite comfortable for any trip length and were able to hold me if I decided to be a bit enthusiastic. Back seat passengers will be plenty comfortable with an abundance of head and legroom. I would have like to see the back seat be able to slide forward and back to offer more comfort. Cargo space is towards the top of the class with 29.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 58.9 when folded. There’s also a little storage nook under the cargo floor to stash valuables. Intuitive Infotainment? Acura’s previous infotainment system drew a lot of ire from people. The dual-screen layout was confusing as some functions were split between the two screens such as changing the audio input. Not helping was the two different control methods for this setup; touchscreen for the bottom portion and a controller for the top screen. Thankfully, Acura has introduced a new infotainment system for the RDX. A large 10.2-inch screen sits on top of the dash and is controlled by a touchpad on the center console. Seeing the touchpad for the first time sent chills down my spine as I thought back to my frustrating experiences with Lexus’ Touchpad Controller. But Acura says this controller is much easier and logical to use than competitors. Okay, challenge accepted. Acura’s touchpad controller is slightly different from Lexus’ setup as it is mapped to the screen. So if you want to access the navigation, you tap that part of the pad that corresponds to the screen. This removes the dragging of the finger across the touchpad to get it to the selection you want. This seems quite logical on paper, but I found to be somewhat frustrating. It took me a few days to mind-meld with the system as I was still used to dragging my finger across the touchpad to select various functions. This made simple tasks such as changing presets or moving around in Apple CarPlay very tough. There is also a smaller touchpad that controls a small section of the screen. This allows you to scroll through three menus - audio, navigation, and clock. This would prove to be the most frustrating aspect of this system as it didn’t always recognize whenever I scroll down on the touchpad to move to another screen. Thankfully, Acura has left a number of physical controls for the audio and climate systems. I’m glad that some luxury automakers aren’t falling into the trap. Powertrain Goes Back To Its Roots The RDX has always found itself with a different powertrain throughout its various generations. The first version used a turbo-four engine, while the second-generation moved to a V6. For the third-generation, Acura went back to the RDX’s roots and settled on another turbo-four engine. The 2.0L engine punches out 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with a 10-speed automatic and either front or my tester’s Super-Handling all-wheel drive system. The turbo-four is quite a potent engine with little turbo lag when leaving a stop and a seemingly endless amount of power for any situation. The ten-speed automatic is very smooth and quick when upshifting. But it does stumble somewhat when you need a quick shot of speed. I did notice that the 2.0L turbo isn’t a quiet engine when traveling on the expressway, going above 2,000 rpm when traveling at 70 mph. This may explain the slightly disappointing 21.7 mpg average I got during the week. EPA fuel economy figures for the A-Spec SH-AWD are 21 City/26 Highway/23 Combined. The standard RDX models see a small bump in their EPA fuel economy figures. Capable Driver Acura is no stranger to building a crossover that is good to drive, the larger MDX crossover is a prime example. But the RDX A-Spec takes that a step further. This version gets a slightly stiffer suspension setup which negates a fair amount of body roll on a winding road. The steering firms up nicely when pushed through corners. When going through the daily grind, the RDX A-Spec will let in a few more bumps and road imperfections due to its suspension tuning. Road and wind noise are kept to very minimal levels. Welcome Back Acura The 2020 RDX shows that Acura is starting to figure out what it wants to be; a brand that offers something playful in the class. The RDX certainly has the qualities with a bold exterior, punchy turbo-four, and a surprising chassis that offers sporty handling and a mostly-comfortable ride. The slightly-confounding infotainment system and poor fuel economy figures do sour it a bit. But the RDX is a very compelling alternative to many compact luxury crossovers. It does give me hope that Acura is figuring out who it wants to be and excited to see what comes down the road such as the new TLX. How I Would Configure An RDX: For me, I would basically take the exact RDX tester seen here. That will set me back $47,195 after adding destination and $400.00 paint option. Everyone else should look at the Technology package that will get you most of the safety equipment that is part of Acurawatch, along with a 12-speaker ELS audio system, navigation, and parking sensors. It will not break the bank at $41,000 for FWD or $43,000 for AWD. Disclaimer: Acura Provided the RDX, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2020 Make: Acura Model: RDX Trim: A-Spec Engine: Turbocharged 2.0L DOHC 16-Valve VTEC Four-Cylinder Driveline: 10-Speed Automatic, All-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 272 @ 6,500 Torque @ RPM: 280 @ 1,600 - 4,500 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 21/26/23 Curb Weight: 4,015 lbs Location of Manufacture: East Liberty, Ohio Base Price: $45,800 As Tested Price: $47,195 (Includes $995.00 Destination Charge) Options: Premium Exterior Color - $400.00 -
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