Another electric SUV is on the horizon; it is the 2024 Acura MDX. The new model is supposed to differ in quite a few details from the current version. The manufacturer has shown their prototype to the world, and it has received a lot of praise. As before, it will be a large three-row SUV. The extent of the redesign is still a mystery, but we are expecting a lot of changes, both interior and exterior. mainly because the MDX is switching to a fully electric powertrain. This means that the platform and architecture also need to change. So, it is the perfect time to make other adjustments and improve the already great-looking SUV.
This model is based on the CDX Concept, but it has been modified. We can expect a luxurious interior with a lot of new technology and software that aid in driving. The exterior will resemble the previous generation but will change as well due to going electric. There are also rumors that the manufacturer will keep producing the traditional combustion engine version. This doesn’t come as a surprise, as there is still time to produce these due to tighter regulations. Let’s take a better look at the new MDX.
Interior Updates
The inside of the 2024 Acura MDX looks fresh and modern. It has been redesigned to be competitive in the overly populated segment. There are chrome accents on some luxury points. The steering wheel is heated and has buttons to keep your focus on the road ahead. There is a big infotainment system along with a fully digital dashboard. There are two interior colors: ebony and red. Seating has contrast stitching along with top-of-the-line leather upholstery.
Obviously, the seats are heated and ventilated. We also get ambient cockpit lighting in this bespoke cockpit. There are even wooden accents with hand-wrapped leather, which really improve the overall look of the MDX. A panoramic moonroof is available, and you can open it with the click of a button. It offers a third row, which can be folded along with the second row to increase cargo space.
Acura MDX Changes
The outside of the 2024 Acura MDX looks as impressive as the inside of it. It uses Chicane LED daytime running lights, which extend to the side and rear. On the back, we have Jewel Eye LED headlights and Chicane Tail Lights that light up in the MDX style. The body design is all about performance . We get 20-inch lightweight alloy wheels as standard.
It has an elevated ride height for better balance. There are a plethora of choices for exterior colors. We get Red Pearl, Liquid Carbon Metallic, Majestic Black Pearl, Platinum White Pearl, Phantom Violet Pearl, Apex Blue Pearl, and Tiger Eye Pearl.
Engine Specs, Type S
The powertrain department is getting some surprises for the 2024 Acura MDX. In spite of many rumors that the company is switching fully to the electric version only, this isn’t true. They will produce electric variants, but this is in addition to the traditional combustion engine ones. MDX will have a 3.5-liter V6 under the hood. This is the biggest engine made by Honda, which is their parent company. Currently, it has 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This is more than enough for an SUV. However, simply being on par with the leaders in this segment could be better. It has a nine-speed automatic transmission, which is quite common at this point. The SH-AWD is what distinguishes this SUV. It stands for “Super Handling Four Wheel Drive.”
With this system, the new Acura is top of the class with its amazing handling and steering. We already mentioned that the MDX isn’t on par with its performance when compared to other top sellers in the segment. This is where the sport-crossbreed version comes in. It has a 3.0-liter powertrain with a battery pack. It can produce 320 horsepower, which is a big jump. There is also the Type S version. for those who simply love sporty SUVs that have amazing performance. This tuned MDX will be able to produce 400 horsepower, which is impressive for a vehicle of this size. It has a plug-in hybrid system, which improves both power and fuel economy. It is a bit strange that we still don’t see an electric version yet for the MDX.
Honda is a pioneer in electric powertrains and has several of its own. There will probably need to be a complete do-over to implement the new platform and architecture. This would make it possible for the SUV to accommodate the new electric powertrain components. A battery pack shouldn’t be smaller than 150 kWh. This would make it powerful enough to match the Type S sport version and give it a range above 400 miles on a single charge. If the battery is weaker and the range is small, it simply isn’t practical. Many manufacturers are making the jump to green energy, and it is strange that Acura isn’t doing the same. Hopefully, they change their mind about this and implement these changes on the next refresh of the MDX.
Fuel Economy
The new 2024 Acura MDX gets good mileage for an SUV of that size. It gets 19 mpg in the city, 25 on the highway, and 21 on combined driving. These numbers are not great, but a simple hybrid improvement would make them go up.
2024 Acura MDX Price and Release Date
We are expecting the 2024 Acura MDX to drop later in 2023. Probably in the fall of the upcoming year. Mercedes-Benz GLE, Audi Q5, BMW X6, Jaguar F-Pace, Mazda CX, and Infiniti QX are among the competitors. The estimated price for the basic trim is $45,000.