Makes›Acura›MDX›2023

2023 Acura MDX

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2023 models.

Class: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles: 4dr SUV AWD, Type S 4dr SUV AWD
Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Horsepower: 290–355 hp
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel: Premium Gasoline
MPG (best): 22 combined · 19 city / 26 hwy
Length: 198.4 in
Curb weight: 4,506–4,736 lb
NHTSA rating: ★★★★★
Recalls: 3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

AWD / 4WD available
5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Watch out for

Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 22 MPG combined, 20% below the 2023 small SUV average of 27.4 MPG.
Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 32 similar 2023 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2023 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), 20% worse than the 2023 small SUV average of 27.4 MPG, for an estimated $3,750 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

What changed for 2023

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2022 MDX — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2022; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2022 MDX →

Trims, performance & features

Engine355 hp3.0L turbo 6-cyl

Engine290 hp3.5L 6-cyl

Transmission10-speed automatic

DriveAWD/4WD

Trims

SH-AWD TYPE S ADVSH-AWD ADVANCESH-AWD TECHSH-AWD A-SPECTECH

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard

Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard

Forward collision warningStandard

Blind-spot monitoringStandard

Rear cross-traffic alertStandard

Rear automatic brakingOptional

Lane departure warningStandard

Lane keeping assistStandard

Adaptive cruise controlStandard

Backup cameraStandard

Automatic high beamsStandard

Keyless startStandard

LED headlightsYes

Built in: East Liberty, Ohio

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2023 MDX configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

Body	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Track F / R	Curb weight	Weight F/R
4dr SUV AWD	198.4 in	78.7 in	66.9 in	113.8 in	67.7 / 67.7 in	4,506 lb	60/40
Type S 4dr SUV AWD	198.4 in	78.7 in	66.9 in	113.8 in	67.7 / 67.7 in	4,736 lb	58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City / Hwy / Comb	vs. class	Fuel / yr	CO₂ g/mi
MDX FWD	3.5L 6-cyl	Automatic (S10)	Front-Wheel Drive	19 / 26 / 22	-20%	$3,750	411
MDX AWD	3.5L 6-cyl	Automatic (S10)	All-Wheel Drive	19 / 25 / 21	-16%	$3,900	423
MDX AWD Type-S	3.0L 6-cyl turbo	Automatic (S10)	All-Wheel Drive	17 / 21 / 19	+1%	$4,350	474

5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)

5/10EPA greenhouse gas score

Spend $6,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

27.4 MPG2023 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2023 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

Version	Overall	Frontal	Driver / passenger	Side	Side pole	Rollover	Rollover risk
2023 Acura MDX SUV AWD	Not rated	★★★★★	4★ / 4★	★★★★★	★★★★★	Not rated	–
2023 Acura MDX SUV FWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	4★ / 4★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	15.1%

StandardElectronic stability control

StandardForward collision warning

StandardLane departure warning

Frontal crash test — 2023 Acura MDX SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Side crash test — 2023 Acura MDX SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2023 small SUVs

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2023 Acura MDX (this car)	22 MPG	★★★★★	3
2023 Land Rover Range Rover	23 MPG	Not rated	17
2023 Porsche Cayenne	19 MPG	Not rated	2
2023 BMW X5	23 MPG	★★★★★	4
2023 Lexus RX	36 MPG	Not rated	4
2023 Volvo XC90	27 MPG	Not rated	7
2023 Audi Q7	21 MPG	Not rated	3

Recalls (3)

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · May 21, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V332000 · 98,892 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages · Jun 12, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V391000 · 259,033 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are FLX and XLY.

Electrical System › Software · Jan 23, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V031000 · 294,612 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Acura MDX Type-S, 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, and 2021-2025 Acura TLX Type-S vehicles. A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power.
Risk: An engine stall or loss of power can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the FI-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EL1 and AL0.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2023 Acura MDX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

48Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

2Involved a crash

0Involved a fire

2Injuries reported

50,000 miTypical mileage at failure

Power Train16

Electrical System7

Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking7

Service Brakes6

Unknown Or Other5

Steering4

Suspension3

Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings3

Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2023 Acura MDX buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
Power Train — 16 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
Electrical System — 7 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 7 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 50,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2023 Acura MDX. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other MDX years

Compare all years →

Year	MPG (best)	Length	Overall	Recalls	Complaints
2026 MDX	22	198.4 in	Not rated	1	9
2025 MDX	22	198.4 in	★★★★★	4	114
2024 MDX	22	198.4 in	★★★★★	3	43
2022 MDX	22	198.4 in	★★★★★	3	181
2020 MDX	27	196.1 in	★★★★★	8	231
2019 MDX	27	196.1 in	★★★★★	9	199
2018 MDX	27	196.1 in	★★★★★	10	170
2017 MDX	27	196.1 in	★★★★★	9	268
2016 MDX	23	193.7 in	★★★★★	7	377
2015 MDX	23	193.7 in	★★★★★	8	67
2014 MDX	23	193.7 in	★★★★★	8	128
2013 MDX	18	190.9 in	Not rated	1	24

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Acura. How we calculate this →