2026 Acura MDX

The Acura MDX is literally the Honda of 3-row midsize luxury SUVs. Like cars from its parent brand, Acura vehicles are known for their high practicality and resale value, reliability, and overall ease of ownership. The 2026 Acura MDX brings all that to the table, plus a prestigious amount of high-end features like opulent audio systems, plush leather seating, and ample tech. In a competitive set where even pricier European rivals like the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE use 4-cylinder engines, we also like that the MDX sticks with a stout V6. There’s even a spicier turbocharged Type S variant for drivers seeking more thrills.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and researching the current collection of midsize 3-row luxury SUVs, including the MDX.

After a refresh last year that imbued the Acura MDX with Bang & Olufsen audio, a new touchscreen, styling tweaks and more, the MDX carries over unchanged for 2026.

The Acura MDX brings something rare to the midsize luxury SUV segment: value. Rivals like the Audi Q7, Lexus TX, BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, and Genesis GV80 all start thousands higher than the MDX. With the Cadillac XT6 dead for 2026, the only rival that’s even close in starting price is the Infiniti QX60.

Before buying a new MDX luxury midsize SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Buyers will also be pleased to know that historically, the MDX has some of the strongest resale values in its class. Recouping more money when you sell or trade a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

The Acura MDX is motivated by a strong, 290-horsepower V6 matched with a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission and front- or all-wheel drive (AWD). We rate it among the segment’s most refined powertrains, delivering seamless acceleration and an abundance of confidence-inspiring merging and passing power. For context, the pony count is about average for the segment. This is the powertrain most MDX buyers will opt for, and we’ve found it solid for in-town jaunts and highway treks alike. It even has a nice growl when running up a freeway on-ramp.

For the niche buyers wanting even more verve in their family-friendly 3-row SUV, there’s the MDX Type S with its 355-horsepower turbo 3.0-liter V6. We love a good wolf in sheep’s clothing, and this performance variant of the MDX has the proverbial claws. We thoroughly enjoyed testing a Type S in the mountains outside of San Diego, where countless twists and turns showed the mettle of both this engine and Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system. That name isn’t hyperbole; it just sticks.

The Type S also includes Active Lane Change Assist, which can automatically change lanes with a flick of the turn signal when conditions are safe. We found it works quite smoothly.

Fuel Economy

With mixed city-and-highway driving mileage of 22 mpg (19 city/26 highway), the front-wheel-drive (FWD) MDX with the regular V6 is about mid-pack in fuel-economy ratings among its competitors. It drops to 21 mpg with all-wheel drive. With the turbo V6, the fuel economy is 19 mpg (17 city/21 highway). Acura does not offer a hybrid or electrified version of the 2026 MDX.

The MDX offers seating for up to seven. Individual seats in the second row can slide forward and back. The center seat can fold down to become a wide armrest or be removed completely, creating easier access to the third row.

Rear legroom in the second row is an ample 38.5 inches, and there’s 29.1 inches in the rearmost quarters, which means it’s better suited to the smaller and more agile members of the family. Many rivals offer a little more in the third row, but not necessarily a lot more. For example, the Genesis GV80 has just over 30 inches. Check out the Lexus TX if your crew could benefit from a more accommodating third row.

Up front, we like the wonderfully comfortable and supportive heated seats. Uncluttered, the dashboard provides a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. A digital driver information display of the same size is also standard, so the cabin feels appropriately tech-y.

Only the base version has faux-leather seating surfaces. The rest of the range comes with genuine leather. Moreover, it’s perforated. Other standard features include heated front seats, 3-zone automatic climate control, and driver-side memory settings. The range-topping Type S with the Advance Package also brings massaging front seats, which we must admit to using — and enjoying — for hours on end. We like that each session goes for a solid 20 minutes and that it can be engaged with just the touch of a button.

The MDX falls about mid-pack when it comes to cargo volume, with 16.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, 39.1 with them folded, and 71.4 with both rear rows down.

We already thought the MDX looked good from the curb; however, the recently redesigned diamond pentagon grille really sets it off. LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights are part of the package with every MDX midsize luxury SUV, as is a panoramic moonroof. Even the smallest wheels are 19-inch alloys, while the Type S comes with 21-inch rims.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
We appreciate that cable-free smartphone integration is standard in every new MDX luxury SUV. It’s part of an infotainment system that also includes wireless charging, Wi-Fi, and Amazon Alexa compatibility.

AcuraLink
Free for three years, AcuraLink brings features such as maintenance scheduling, automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle location, and remote lock/unlock — to name just a few. We appreciated being able to double-check that our MDX test vehicle was locked when shopping one day.

Powered tailgate with Walk-Away Close
Speaking of shopping and an armload of packages, every MDX has a powered tailgate, as a luxury SUV should. But the Advance Package for the regular and Type S models adds hands-free access and a self-closing function when the driver (or whoever has the key) steps away. Convenient? You bet.

Bang & Olufsen audio
These excellent systems comprise the MDX’s audio upgrades. A 19-speaker system is standard in the A-Spec and higher trims, except for the Type S with Advance Package that features a 31-speaker system. Our music-loving ears rate this system near the top of its class.

CabinTalk
This allows folks sitting up front to send their voices through the sound system, automatically muting the regular audio so rear passengers can hear them.

Head-up display
Part of the Advance Package for both the regular and Type S versions, this relatively large 10.5-inch display projects useful information onto the windshield directly in front of the driver. We’ve discovered that we miss this feature in vehicles that don’t have it.

Most versions of the 2026 MDX 3-row luxury SUV are propelled by a 3.5-liter V6 making 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. The sole MDX transmission is a 10-speed automatic.

Front-wheel drive is the standard setup in the first two trim levels, with AWD available as an option. From the A-Spec version through the rest of the trim levels, AWD is standard.

The MDX Type S has a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that develops 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is standard, along with the 10-speed automatic transmission.

Premium gasoline is recommended for both engines. With the appropriate equipment, the MDX’s maximum tow rating is 5,000 pounds.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Most luxury vehicle makers have new-vehicle warranties lasting four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Acura follows this formula but extends the powertrain coverage to six years or 70,000 miles. Moreover, the company includes free scheduled maintenance for two years or 24,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

The 2026 MDX earned the Top Safety Pick rating (with the 2025 testing protocol) from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and the FWD MDX earned a maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA has not yet tested the AWD model.