Video: 2025 Acura MDX: No Longer Padding Its Resume

All right, new is a bit of a strong term here as this is a mid-cycle refresh, and the changes are a little bit more subtle. Before we get into it, as you might notice, we are seeing double here in the studio. While we have the standard 2025 MDX over here, we're also graced with the refreshed 2025 MDX Type S, which is the more spicy performance-oriented variant. This is obviously my favorite, but let's get into it and see which one you prefer. (upbeat music) You know, it's pretty fitting that we're getting our first peak of the 2025 MDX here in Los Angeles because, well, this car's fresh from plastic surgery. It's got a nose job as it were. We have a new updated front fascia for the standard MDX and the Type S. And the largest changes that you're gonna notice right off the bat are gonna be the open-air curtains on the outside of the bumper that were closed on the pre-refresh model. And you've got two new grille insert designs on the standard MDX. You have the mesh design. And on the Type S, you have a open pattern kind of diamond design as Acura calls it. And we've also got some smoky eyes. Acura has darkened the headlights and taillights for the new model year. But, you know, if you do like what you see on the Type S, but maybe you don't wanna spend the extra money or need all that additional performance. Acura has you covered. The popular A-spec appearance package returns onto the standard MDX if you get that trim. But if you like the grille insert on the Type S, I'm sorry, you've gotta get the Type S. Because they leave the grille inserts the same, which means you will get, now stay with me here, a little complicated. If you get the A-spec, you will get the Type S's bumper with the standard mesh grille insert. Now depending on trim, there are two new wheel designs. There are 20-inch new wheels on the MDX, and there are a new design for the standard 21-inch wheels on the Type S. And well, really, that's it for stylistic changes. But Acura has a really good thing going with the 4th generation MDX. So it left most of the significant changes for the interior. (graphics whooshing) The biggest changes on the interior are tech-related for the most part, and that starts with this new 12.3 inch touchscreen infotainment which, before, it was controlled by a touch pad here on the center console. And as part of that, the center console is redesigned. You've got your wireless charging here up close and personal right here next to the driver. And I will say, following industry trends, this infotainment system does have Google built-in. But don't you worry, wireless Apple, CarPlay, and Android Auto are standard, while the very base level of MDX has an 11-speaker system. But on all of the trims, there is a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen thumper. Pretty nice. But for the real ear blaster, you're gonna want to get the Type S because that has a standard 31-speaker Bang & Olufsen system. And that means there are 12 speakers in the headliner alone. That's pretty crazy. Now if you're more worried about outside noise other than inside, the new MDX, regardless of trend, is quieter than ever. We've got new laminated glass on the rear passenger glass. And depending on the trim level, for upper trim levels, you've got more insulation. So your new MDX is gonna be very quiet. What you're not gonna be able to see is an update to the active safety tech with the so-called AcuraWatch 360 Suite, adding stuff like front cross-traffic alert and lane change collision mitigation. And that's it. That means all of the stuff that we liked before is here, including powertrains. In the standard MDX, we've got the familiar 3.5 liter naturally aspirated V6. Good for 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. But like me, you're gonna want to get the Type S, won't you? Well, that's how you get the 3-liter turbocharged V6 at 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet. That's also how you get standard all-wheel drive, adaptive air suspension, and these big old red Brembo brakes here up front. See, that's why the Type S is my favorite. So no huge changes for the 2025 Acura MDX. But there's enough here that I think Acura fans are gonna snap, every single last one of them up, when it hits dealerships this May. But for my full thoughts and breakdown, you gotta go check on my article on cars.com. (upbeat music)