#NYIAS: Acura Drops The Beak With Resyled MDX - But Is This Look Of A True Luxury SUV?

#NYIAS: Acura Drops The Beak With Resyled MDX - But Is This Look Of A True Luxury SUV?

Acura today unveiled the restyled and refreshed 2017 MDX luxury SUV featuring bold new styling, added luxury features and available Sport Hybrid Super Handling-All Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) powertrain technology. The 2017 Acura MDX will be equipped with AcuraWatch™ on all grades, making MDX the first luxury SUV in its class to offer these advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies, including automatic emergency braking, as standard features. The 2017 MDX is slated to go on sale at Acura dealerships nationwide this summer and will be joined by the MDX Sport Hybrid later in the year.

2016 New York Auto Show

Showcasing the new face of Acura, the restyled 2017 MDX is highlighted by the bold and distinctive diamond pentagon grille, first seen on the Acura Precision Concept that debuted at the North American International Auto Show in January. The new Acura grille is integrated with a more sharply sculpted hood, front fascia and front fenders coupled with new LED fog lights and restyled Jewel Eye™ headlights, which enhance the MDX's distinctive and sporting demeanor. A new chrome rocker panel design adds an element of contrast to the MDX's profile, while a revised rear bumper, body colored skid garnish and the addition of twin tailpipes further emphasizes the performance character of the 2017 Acura MDX.

"Upping the performance pedigree of the MDX with bold styling, our exclusive Sport Hybrid powertrain and the standard application of AcuraWatch technologies that many in the industry refer to as semi-autonomous, represents a major injection of Acura's Precision Crafted Performance DNA," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "These changes will continue to advance MDX's competitiveness and its legacy as the best-selling three-row luxury SUV of all time."

All 2017 MDX models benefit from increased standard luxury and technology features, including an Electric Parking Brake with Automatic Brake Hold, Auto High Beam headlights, SiriusXM Radio® 2.0 and four 2.5-amp USB charging ports. Technology and Advance packages add Bi-Directional Keyless Remote Engine Start, two new 20-inch wheel and tire options, power folding side mirrors, and HD Traffic. In addition to these features, Advance grades add LED fog lights, genuine Olive Ash Burl or Black Limba wood interior trim, a heated steering wheel and Surround-View Camera System with six selectable viewing angles. Advance models can also be equipped with two second-row captain's chairs and a center console with two additional USB ports, replacing the three-person second-row seating found on lower grades.  An ultra-widescreen Rear Entertainment System is also available on models with the Advance ENT Package.

MDX Sport Hybrid

The 2017 MDX Sport Hybrid is the third model to feature Acura's innovative three-motor Sport Hybrid SH-AWD powertrain, joining the Acura NSX supercar and RLX flagship sedan to deliver the ultimate in power and control. The 2017 MDX Sport Hybrid is powered by a 3.0-liter SOHC V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™) mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission (7DCT) with an integrated electric motor powering the front wheels, and a Twin Motor Unit with two electric motors providing power to the rear wheels. Additionally, the system delivers electrified torque vectoring for improved straight line performance and cornering precision in combination with all-wheel-drive power application. Peak powertrain output of 325 horsepower is up 35 horsepower over the non-hybrid model. The MDX Sport Hybrid is anticipated to receive EPA fuel economy ratings of 25/26/26 (city/highway/combined), an estimated 7-mpg city fuel economy rating increase over the (non-hybrid) MDX with SH-AWD.

The 2017 MDX Sport Hybrid will be available with Technology and Advance packages. Both add a new Active Sport Suspension that delivers improved ride quality, handling performance and is integrated with the Integrated Dynamics System featuring the dynamic modes of Comfort, Normal and Sport, and exclusive to Sport Hybrid models, a new Sport+ mode.

AcuraWatch Standard

All 2017 MDX models receive the AcuraWatch suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technology as standard equipment, including Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with automatic emergency braking, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF) and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM). AcuraWatch uses a millimeter wave radar and monocular camera sensing technology to detect other vehicles as well as lane markings and can help intervene to prevent or mitigate the severity of a collision. Moreover, with Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and Lane Keeping Assist, AcuraWatch can significantly decrease the driver's workload during freeway cruising by maintaining a set speed and following interval, initiating both braking and throttle inputs, and adding steering input to help the driver maintain their position in the detected lane.

The Acura MDX is the best-selling three-row luxury SUV of all time and Acura's best-selling SUV, with sales topping 50,000 units in each of the past three years. The 2017 MDX was designed by the Acura Design Studio in Torrance, Calif., developed and engineered at the R&D center in Raymond, Ohio, and will continue to be produced at the company's Lincoln, Ala. auto plant using domestic and globally sourced parts. In early 2017, an additional production source for MDX will be added at the East Liberty, Ohio auto plant. 

The 2016 New York Auto Show photo galleries are sponsored by Lexus.

2016 New York Auto Show






































 



stampferstampfer - 3/24/2016 12:09:11 PM
+2 Boost
My wife just got a '16 in white a few weeks ago. Very glad we were able to get the Tech Pkg without AcuraWatch-- can't stand the electronic nannies. Now that it's standard, enthusiasts will walk away because we don't want the vehicle braking for us! At the same time, the brown interior on the show vehicle has been available for the RDX but not MDX until now and would have wanted this color if it were available.


ScirosSciros - 3/24/2016 12:11:25 PM
0 Boost
I actually think the front design is compelling enough. Unfortunately the rest of the car doesn't look that interesting. Maybe the idea is to go a bit understated compared to Lexus's RX but from the side view it's quite "blah" :-/

You don't have to go edgy like the Murano or RX, necessarily; the BMW X5 looks good without so many sharp lines. But Acura probably _should_ go edgy. Look at the NSX. If that's their new halo car, then they should roll with it. Maybe the next-gen MDX and RDX will do so.


cidflekkencidflekken - 3/24/2016 12:58:29 PM
+3 Boost
Acura needed a vehicle to get the new corporate face immediately. An update to the RLX was likely not ready yet and the TLX wasn't up for it mid-cycle refresh. The MDX makes sense, BUT, I don't think that was the original plan. Acura made significant updates to the MDX last year so for them to unveil this not even a year later is very unusual. While they didn't have time for a complete re-design, it made sense to put the new face on its most popular car.

So, I think the new grille is a step in the right direction and will hopefully indicate things to come in the near future for the brand. I do think the interior looks much more upgraded with the higher-quality materials.


ScirosSciros - 3/24/2016 1:07:26 PM
+1 Boost
Yeah, I think you're right. It's similar to what Lincoln did with their MKZ I think.


llaroollaroo - 3/24/2016 1:12:45 PM
-3 Boost
Its called not having a coherent design vision from the get go. The Acura 'beak' should not have made it out of the design studio. But then again Honda Acura today is all over the place and are scrambling for a position in the market. Design evolution is always the smartest vs bouncing from one look to another.The Brand becomes diluted - interior can be any Asian car manufacturer, really lame,
would never go back.


TomMTomM - 3/24/2016 1:45:00 PM
0 Boost
The "beak" did not make it out of the design studio on its own - it was likely a part of a major consumer evaluation - pre-production - and was not a problem for those viewers who saw it. Honda is very thorough on those things - BUT - Acura never truly had an identifying styling to begin with - so that it still does not should not be a surprise. This MDX is simply generic japanese 4x4 except for the front - where the new grille certainly beats Toyota and Lexus!.

The Problem with Acura is PRODUCT - they have very little - and only seem to manage ONE good vehicle per cycle. THe other have advanced beyond the 6 cylinder Accord - Accura never did.


TruthyTruthy - 3/24/2016 2:07:00 PM
+1 Boost
I have a 2010 TL. The straight lines on that car worked with the beak. The car is at least unique. The new TLX looks generic to my eye. I think llaroo's comment is correct. The Japanese luxury brands and Lincoln bounce around from design from one design philosophy to another. While I am not a fan of the giant electric razor of Lexus new cars, they are starting to get the rest of the car to work with that grill. The IS and the new sports car both have a surface tension that works with that grill.
At least it is not a copy.


macbjgmacbjg - 3/24/2016 3:18:22 PM
-5 Boost
Acura is not a "luxury" brand. Perhaps it is "premium," as compared with Chevy and Ford. But not "luxury." This is an important difference that is all too frequently overlooked.


SSP350SSP350 - 3/24/2016 9:42:32 PM
-3 Boost
I totally agree. I just got back from a local auto show and don't understand why Acura is considered luxury. It feels near premium, but definitely not luxury. It's the same feeling I get everytime I get into an Acura. At this rate, Kia will feel more luxury than Acura in the next few years. Hell, it feels that way now. Hyundai's Genesis feels more premium than Acura's RLX. My opinion.


PUGPROUDPUGPROUD - 3/24/2016 3:46:59 PM
-1 Boost
Hire an Italian designer already!


xjug1987axjug1987a - 3/24/2016 5:29:57 PM
-3 Boost
Completely agree, this is not an attractive vehicle, and this dash is hideous too... why make ugly cars?


TheSteveTheSteve - 3/25/2016 12:44:12 AM
-1 Boost
+1. Actually, it doesn't have to be Italian. Just someone who's good!


mplsmpls - 3/24/2016 5:32:40 PM
-2 Boost
Rubbish, fire them all..


iamdabest1iamdabest1 - 3/24/2016 11:08:39 PM
-3 Boost
they dropped the beak to get a KIA grille ??? are they out of their damn minds ??? seriously i think someone needs to be banned from the auto industry and it starts with acura designers !


85bmw745i85bmw745i - 3/29/2016 2:11:08 AM
+1 Boost
Acura needs to just throw in the towel already. They haven't made an appealing car since the TL back in the early 2,000's. Their styling has gone to hell. All of thier cars have styling that looks like they were trying too hard.


Copyright 2026 AutoSpies.com, LLC