DecodedCarsAcura MDX
21 model years from 2005 to 2026, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2005–2026
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Latest engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 17–27 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2025)
- Recalls
- 34 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2016 (377)
- Fewest problems
- 2023
- Interest
- 9,898 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 MDX in brief
The 2026 Acura MDX is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (3.5L 6-cyl and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 198 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,506 lb (4dr SUV AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (19 city / 26 highway), 27% worse than the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG, for an estimated $3,750 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
The Acura MDX has 21 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2026, classed as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD.
Its most efficient year was 2020 at 27 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 17 to 27 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the engine (617), power train (456), electrical system (405).
Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2016 is the year to avoid.
2018 has the most recalls (10); all years together count 34 campaigns and 2,229 owner complaints.
How the 2005 MDX compares
The 2005 Acura MDX is a SUV - offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 188 inches long and 77 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,392 lb.
About the Acura MDX
The Acura MDX is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV with three-row seating produced by the Japanese automaker Honda under its luxury Acura division since 2000. The alphanumeric moniker stands for "Multi-Dimensional" luxury. It has ranked as the second-best selling mid-size luxury SUV after the Lexus RX in the U.S.
From the Wikipedia article "Acura MDX", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 MDX pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 22 MPG combined, 27% below the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- Modest powerUp to 290 hp, versus about 409 hp for similar 2026 models.
Best and worst years to buy used
2024 MDX
43 owner complaints · 3 recalls · 1 crash report
NHTSA overall: ★★★★★
Year to avoid2016 MDX
377 owner complaints · 7 recalls · 5 fire reports · 10 crash reports
Most reported: Engine
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 9 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
MDX changes by model year
- 2022
- New body dimensions: 2.3 in longer, wheelbase +2.8 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- No hybrid version any more
- Engine added: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl
- Best combined MPG down from 27 to 22
- 2017
- New body dimensions: 2.4 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
- New hybrid version
- Engine added: 3.0L 6-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 23 to 27
- 2014
- New body dimensions: 2.8 in longer, wheelbase +2.7 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine added: 3.5L 6-cyl
- Engine dropped: 3.7L 6-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 18 to 23
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
- 2007
- New body dimensions: 2.4 in longer, wheelbase +2.0 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine added: 3.7L 6-cyl
- Engine dropped: 3.5L 6-cyl
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 21 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | 198.4 in | 4,506 lb | Not rated | 1 | 9 |
| 2025 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | 198.4 in | 4,506 lb | ★★★★★ | 4 | 114 |
| 2024 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | 198.4 in | 4,506 lb | ★★★★★ | 3 | 43 |
| 2023 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | 198.4 in | 4,506 lb | ★★★★★ | 3 | 48 |
| 2022 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | 198.4 in | 4,506 lb | ★★★★★ | 3 | 181 |
| 2020 | 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 27 MPG | 196.1 in | 4,277 lb | ★★★★★ | 8 | 231 |
| 2019 | 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 27 MPG | 196.1 in | 4,343 lb | ★★★★★ | 9 | 199 |
| 2018 | 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 27 MPG | 196.1 in | 4,343 lb | ★★★★★ | 10 | 170 |
| 2017 | 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 27 MPG | 196.1 in | 4,343 lb | ★★★★★ | 9 | 268 |
| 2016 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 193.7 in | 4,343 lb | ★★★★★ | 7 | 377 |
| 2015 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 193.7 in | 4,343 lb | ★★★★★ | 8 | 67 |
| 2014 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 193.7 in | 4,343 lb | ★★★★★ | 8 | 128 |
| 2013 | 3.7L 6-cyl | 18 MPG | 190.9 in | 4,577 lb | Not rated | 1 | 24 |
| 2012 | 3.7L 6-cyl | 18 MPG | 190.9 in | 4,550 lb | Not rated | 1 | 67 |
| 2011 | 3.7L 6-cyl | 18 MPG | 190.9 in | 4,550 lb | Not rated | 0 | 54 |
| 2010 | 3.7L 6-cyl | 18 MPG | 190.9 in | 4,550 lb | Not rated | 1 | 31 |
| 2009 | 3.7L 6-cyl | 17 MPG | 190.6 in | 4,550 lb | Not rated | 0 | 32 |
| 2008 | 3.7L 6-cyl | 17 MPG | 190.6 in | 4,550 lb | Not rated | 0 | 24 |
| 2007 | 3.7L 6-cyl | 17 MPG | 190.6 in | 4,550 lb | Not rated | 0 | 58 |
| 2006 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 17 MPG | 188.2 in | 4,392 lb | Not rated | 8 | 38 |
| 2005 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 17 MPG | 188.2 in | 4,392 lb | Not rated | 10 | 66 |
Alternatives to the 2026 MDX
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tesla Model Y | 357 mi | Not rated | 8 |
| 2026 Land Rover Range Rover | 23 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2026 Porsche Cayenne | 19 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 BMW X5 | 25 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Lexus RX | 36 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2026 Volvo XC90 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Acura. How we calculate this →