2017 Acura MDX: Best Luxury 3-Row SUV for the Money

2017 Acura MDX Is U.S. News & World Report’s Best Luxury 3-Row SUV for the Money

U.S. News & World Report’s Best Luxury 3-Row SUV for the Money is the Acura MDX. The result was determined by evaluating the vehicle’s overall quality and long-term value. The Acura MDX bested other SUVs in its class, including the Audi Q7, Tesla Model X, and Volvo XC90.

The 2017 Acura MDX offers great fuel economy, a large number of standard features, and three rows of seating. Its ride is smooth and its cabin has excellent fit and finish. Though it doesn’t have as much cargo space as its competitors, the MDX offers good legroom in each of its seating rows. The Acura SUV received a refreshed exterior and added standard technology for 2017. A hybrid variant is coming later this year.

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Why the 2017 Acura MDX Won: Quality 

Critics especially like the Acura MDX’s well-rounded offerings. Under the hood, you get a powerful engine that won’t blow anyone’s doors off but doesn’t fall behind the competition. Its seating is comfortable in all three rows. Acura has equipped the MDX with a long list of standard features.

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Why the 2017 Acura MDX Won: Value

The 2017 Acura MDX’s value is measured by a combination of its five-year total cost of ownership, provided by Vincentric, LLC, and the average price paid for the vehicle at the time the awards are calculated, as calculated by TrueCar.com.

The total cost of ownership is a combination of a low initial cost and low maintenance, fuel, insurance, and repair costs. The MDX’s five-year total cost is $8,923.60 and the average price paid is $49,143. Its total cost of ownership edged out that of the Volvo XC90 and Lexus GX by a several thousand dollars.

The Acura MDX has one of the lowest starting prices in the class and has high safety scores, both elements that helped it earn its Best Luxury 3-Row SUV for the Money honor.

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Performance: Acceleration

The Acura MDX’s 3.5-liter V6 engine isn’t going to win any awards off the line, but it is strong and capable in a variety of driving situations. The engine is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and produces 290 horsepower and 267 pounds-feet of torque. The MDX is extremely fuel-efficient thanks in part to the SUV’s stop-start technology.

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Performance: Handling

The 2017 Acura MDX drives smaller than it is thanks to its smooth ride, precise steering, and dynamic handling. Though the drive is comfortable, the driver never feels disconnected from the road. When you speed down winding roads, the MDX sticks to the pavement nicely. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional.

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Interior: Space and Comfort

The seats of the 2017 Acura MDX are plush and roomy, though the cabin is not filled with the natural materials and premium accents you’ll find in many luxury SUVs. The MDX’s solid cabin construction leads to a quiet ride.

A number of standard features make riding in the MDX more comfortable. They include a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated front seats, and sliding and reclining second-row seats.  Third row seating is easily accessed by pushing one button.

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Interior: Features and Technology

The 2017 Acura MDX comes loaded with standard features typical of most luxury vehicles. Tri-zone automatic climate control, four USB ports, Bluetooth, an eight-speaker audio system, satellite radio, a power moonroof, a proximity key, and a dual-screen infotainment system on the center stack are standard.

Optional features include remote start, GPS-linked climate control, navigation, a 10- or 12-speaker ELS audio system, HD Radio, voice recognition, two USB ports in the third row, a 360-degree camera, the AcuraLink telematics system, and a rear-seat entertainment system with wireless headphones.

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Reliability

The 2017 Acura MDX has not yet been rated for reliability by J.D. Power and Associates. Previous iterations of the Acura MDX have usually scored About Average reliability ratings.

When purchased new, the vehicle is covered by a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

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Safety: Crash Tests

The 2017 Acura MDX scores an exceptional 9.7 out of 10 in U.S. News & World Report's safety ratings. It is designated a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, having received Good scores in all of the organization’s testing categories. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has given the MDX a five-star overall rating.

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Safety: Features

New for 2017, the AcuraWatch suite of driver assistance features comes standard. It includes active lane keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system are optional.

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Other Cars to Consider

If you know you want a midsize SUV but don’t think the Acura MDX is for you, there are many other highly rated vehicles in its class that you may want to test drive.

The Acura MDX has one of the lowest starting prices among luxury midsize vehicles. If you don’t need a third row and want a vehicle with a spacious second row at a low price point, check out the Lexus RX, which won our 2017 Best Luxury 2-Row SUV for the Money award.

The BMW X5 offers comfort and a luxurious interior combined with a sporty drive. Its sharp steering and powerful engine can make a road trip enjoyable, while its spacious cargo area leaves plenty of room for storage.

The 2017 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid combines performance with the fuel efficiency a hybrid vehicle offers. An upscale interior, sharp handling, and smartphone connectivity are highlights of the model. However, it may not have the cargo space you need, offering one of the lowest amounts in its class.

If your require a vehicle with a little more off-road prowess than the Acura MDX, take the Land Rover Range Rover Sport for a test drive. It's more than capable in most driving situations and its interior is sumptuous.

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More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report 

The best way to save money on these award winners is to use U.S. News & World Report's Best Price Program. It can save you thousands off MSRP by helping you find the dealer in your area with the best price. You can save even more money by checking our new car financing deals and lease deals pages for manufacturer incentives.