Off-Roading With an Acura MDX; Bad idea? We Find Out With the Help of Two TRD Pro 4Runners

The MDX is a great around-town SUV, but can you actually drive it off-road? I find out with the help of a couple friends who each drive a Toyota 4Runner with the TRD Pro package and all the Overlanding gear. There is mud, there is rock crawling, and there is one catastrophic component failure. What did we learn? Is the MDX a great, or good, or even acceptable Off-Road vehicle? Watch to find out.
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[@nixboox]

Wait...so you took an MDX with bad tires on a trail with two TRDs and then said the MDX wasn't meant for off-roading? That MDX made the same trek the TRDs did on BAD tires...right? So... The MDX is the superior vehicle. And if you were to ACTUALLY do the trek with proper tires the MDX would have shamed the TRDs because it is the better and more capable off-road vehicle. There aren't any AWD systems as good as SH-AWD. None. Even the TRDs with their 4x4 capabilities won't drive as well as the MDX does with its AWD system. Test it, you'll see.

[@Counter-Intuitive]

Exactly 💯

[@miket.4374]

I recently bought an MDX and am seriously considering a 3” lift and good tires 🛞. Seen them online and they perform really well…and more comfy than a TRD

[@octoslut]

lol thats cope as hell, proper off-roaders will smoke mdx or other crossovers.

[@houdvast]

I would like to hear more experts talk about this

[@OldbayRaven]

I currently have both a 2020 MDX with SH AWD and 12 Xterra 4x4 S. Previously drove a 19 TRD 4runner and 19 GX460. The MDX is very capable for a mini van/crossover. But it will not compete with body on frame 4x4s offroad. On the road in nasty slushy snow or even deep snow, it's king.

[@Littleathquakes]

considering everything against the MDX in that situation, I’d say it exceeded expectations.

[@py2237]

Good test. No surprise on ending and verdict.

[@BLAZEPSI]

Lift the MDX and add off-road tires. Did it on mine. Rides better than my Lifted Off-road Grand Cherokee.

[@firstnamelastname9661]

picture? I would like to see your build in details

[@Jason_Phillips3679]

Interesting 🤔

[@Jason_Phillips3679]

U found a lift kit for it?

[@kevinmcguinness2597]

What kit and size tires did you use? I want to lift mine. Stock rims? Which shocks? Please tell me!!

[@lexmarr5172]

Wow for not even having the right tires that mdx did a great...now have the 4 runner follow the mdx in a turn at 70 mph and watch that bitch roll over like 100 Times...mdx is hands down one of the best suvs in its class...

[@devonpeters9458]

If that’s your MDX, I would love to see what you could do with it with proper off-road tires aired down. Would you ever consider it?

[@topgeartim]

Considering this wasn't exactly apples to apples comparison, I feel that the MDX did very well

[@Counter-Intuitive]

Pretty sure the Acura would've done better if everything was equal

[@evolusd]

That incline at 2:43 is legit, I'm impressed with the MDX actually.

[@kalidell3137]

Wild lol that’s the point of the video where I was like alright this thing is a beast 🤣

[@bryanCLXT]

just got a 2007 rdx turbo sh awd. good to know if I have to take the backroads to the grocery store I'll be ok

[@InfernoPhilM]

“When in doubt, throttle it out.” -God, probably

[@Av3ntur0zky]

How the hll you want that MDX behave as good as a TRD when it doesn't have proper off road tires/lifted enough as the other 2. Give same advantages and lets see what happens.

[@Trd.pro.sequoia]

LOVE SEEING ANOTHER MDX OFFROADING! =)

[@brianrosenlof388]

I have an 03 MDX with 188k miles, still running strong. The awd has got me out of some really sketchy situations the where I thought I was going to be stranded for sure! This includes sliding in the snow until the right side was in a ravine, towing another car that was stuck on a wet muddy beach by driving the MDX even further toward the water to then tow the other car out. Just push that lock button and drive away. So far, it has never failed me!

[@danielmelendez9943]

I own a Acura MDX 2011 base, i drove it several times on snow anywhere from 6 inches upto 12 inches, pretty descent handling with winter tires. On the twisted or sharp curves at highway speeds the Shaw is a fun factor on the way the car handles. Ice situation were scary, since there was a lot of slippery and skidding. I seen the acura comercial they have on TV, when the guy drive it on a ice lake and it handles fantastic. I have to wonder how they accomplished that. On the rain the car handles awesome and the Shawd system has saved my ass several times when i would have lost control of the car. Torque vectoring is a good feature on the MDX, plenty of power but this is not a SUV unlike a toyota 4runner. My car was bought new now i have 90k miles with no problems.

[@GLICIOUS21]

Two highly modified 4runner TRDs vs stock MDX 🤔

[@piotergudrinovicproduction11]

Wait! The luxury vehicle with no lift kit and no off road tires followed the two off road prepped Toyotas??? Hmmmm. Id say thats pretty awesome. Cudos for the adventure. Just maybe leave the “review” part out. Trail on!

[@colinmontgomery7889]

I have an 07 MDX and when I took it off road with my buddy who had an 06 4runner on the all seasons it got thru but it was a little sketchy, I switched to some Toyo AT 2's and it made a world of a difference

[@mmiracastro2347]

Well I mean no tow straps needed ? That mdx handled that very well ! Not meant to off road but def ment to tackle bad traction situations . All in all did a lot better than most awd systems . Highly doubt other awd would have such luck esp considering clearance being an issue.

[@mrfalter9906]

I mean, you bring a common mdx With all season tires vs 2 prepared off road 4 runers and it still did well, and you complain? 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️i don't get you dud

[@broskoone]

99% of truck owners won’t hit that kind of off reading. MDX will do mostly anything the average person needs from Snow , camping, moderate trails. Pretty impressive really for a vehicle not designed at all for that extreme condition.

[@MrHdub1984]

Wonder how those 4runners would do with street tires and no lift 🤦🏾‍♂️ Dumb comparison. Equip both vehicles with the same tires and lift then do a comparison.

[@chrisbullock6477]

I'd say besides doing the obvious common sense upgrades beforehand its still an extremely capable going to the mountains trip and bad weather vehicle.

[@PHxNiteRider]

Best and most reliable vehicle for the money. As long as you take care of the care it won't let you down. Plenty of power and handles very well in all weather conditions!

[@ZiggyGood]

So only tested crawling pretty much. Dumb

[@jackcolmar3691]

This is a long shot but I’d love to see you take a Previa AWD off road

[@SURENITY]

Jet black custom 2013 Acura MDX Advanced. Identical to the ones in Captain America! But even more epic! I named him ONYX 11 years, and half my life of dreaming, it is even better that I could ever imagine! Doing some epic modifications and custom work in the coming years! I’ve done a few awesome ones 6 months in. Completely restored the interior and exterior, including the rust! And put around 300 hours of hard work into the truck! I did the best that I could with my tools and a low college student budget. I don’t own many tools, because I have nowhere to store them. I had mechanically refurbished the engine, transmission, catalytic converter, power steering, and more to list. I baby the truck! I will insure will last it until I am 30. But life happens, and nothing is guaranteed. I learned that with my beloved old 2004 MDX Tech. (Maximus). A computer virus from a 2006 navigation system(Trojan horse) very very unfortunately killed all of the computing units! It killed Maximus. I cried privately for weeks! 7 years (age 14-21), 220,000 miles, many fun and sad experience later, road trips, and memories. Over 500 hours of repairs work and hot rodding! That truck was my life! I loved Maximus more than any (romantic) relationship that I’ve been in through my youth. People can be shallow. Maximus was not only my vehicle, but my passion. Still sitting in my driveway for 6 months. R.I.P old flame. 🔥

[@OverCookedRice]

Pathetic test. You took an MDX to the course where all the odds are against it. Consider you brought other vehicles with off-road modifications and down talked the MDX capabilities? Put some better off-road tires, give it a little lift and i'm sure it'll do better.

[@kats1978]

The dealer I went to told me SH means Super Happy. How dare they!!

[@slavikrybka]

Wondering how it will be off-roading stanced civic EF or EG. Or Smart ForTwo

[@idriwzrd]

This is great! I recently bought an MDX for my wife. She absolutely loves it (thank heavens) but doesn't believe me when I tell her that the SHawd will get her out of pretty much any situation. I guess it's off to Moab to prove me right once again. Thanks for all the confidence you've given us!

[@hmrthebest]

SH-AWD is more for handling on corners and light snow, mud or other shit, definitely not this kind of fun!!!

[@tebibyte2357]

actually the MDX loves going through thick snow and mud. If u have proper tires go right ahead if not just stay with the snow.

[@tebibyte2357]

Plenty of videos of it going through snow

[@kandyans]

The guys goes with all season worn out tire and feels all the issues mostly because of the tires except for a handful of clearance issues, which are not good for comparison when the other vehicles had 3 in custom lift-off. Your conclusion is nuisance. Please do a proper run and conclude.

[@JonDZ_Adventuring]

Haha! I love your narration! That MDX didn't do too bad! Not great, but not bad!

[@GIZZMOTORSPORTS]

How about you lift this MDX, add better tires. Or what about a Ridgeline? I know both of these haev good traction control in the snow.

[@chickennuggetsareyum3966]

The Acura isn’t ment for off roading its a snow car a snow beast

[@intrinsicimagery]

Dude. I'm in Phoenix. I could meet you out there in my wife's 2020 Subaru Outback Onyx XT, and we could find out if scratching the Mommy Missile would be enough to make her divorce me.

[@danielbailey848]

Give the MDX higher ground clearance and off road tires and it will handle its business.

[@LargoC]

For a stock mdx,that's impressiven

[@keithusace4352]

Mini Cooper countrywagon

[@KontraV]

I subscribed just because of your sense of humor. Lol

[@christofschwarz6602]

Wow - this christmas tree lighting and shooting a bowling ball out of a homemade cannon sounds like a load of fun. As for the impractical cars on a trail? I would love to see you compare a Lada Taiga (Lada Niva) to some unreasonably huge and expensive US Pickup on the trail :D

[@SantiSpeed1]

I need more engineer off-road friends

[@joshuarem700]

No extra ground clearance and bad tires and you still made it out my MDX has 245 70 17 encounter ATS I gained quite a bit of ground clearance plus took the center row of seats out which gave me another quarter inch of course it's not an off-road vehicle like a Jeep or a 4Runner but here in Arizona it gets me to where I want to go no problems in mud, sand eatc.

[@afzalshaikh2128]

Give my MDX hope. I would never do that my car though, your nuts.

[@badandylaoc]

Found this after finding a 4x4 MDX for $2500 and then searching MDX offroad. SUBSCRIBED.

[@motorv8N]

Would my favourite nautical reference be applicable to desert driving? “When your draft exceeds your depth, you are most assuredly aground…” Why yes, I think it does!

[@Off-GridProductions]

While the MDX was not designed for off-road use, I feel like the comparison here is not fair. The 4Runners are modified, and even if they are stock, they were optioned to have skid plates. Off-road tires, a lift, and some skid plates will dramatically increase the MDX's performance on the trail. While it does lack a locker, solid rear axle, and transfer case, the MDX should be a fairly good off-road vehicle. It's just not a rock crawler. If any viewers are interested in watching an MDX built, I have potential plans of building out a 2008 MDX later this year.

[@1121gsm]

Very funny and informative. I have a 2006 MDX that has been through some awesome snow drifts and is still running PERFECTLY. I'm about ready to buy a 2022 MDX but I won't be taking it out for the extreme off-roading. Thanks for sharing.

[@hukmai]

you're a legend! Hondas development team need to see this and developed some off road gear cause a lift kit would solve 80% of you issues 20% was definitely your tires

[@notpurple]

One, where is the full length video About that bowling ball cannon?? Two, go get a Retired police crown Victoria and off road that baby!

[@RobS123]

LOL! Highly entertaining! My brother has an MDX he takes to our cabin (17 miles of semi "improved" Forest Service roads. So far, he hasn't had any issues, but not quite as challenging as the rocks and mud in your video.

[@johnwu7166]

This is the most impressive 2nd MDX off road video i've ever seen

[@espada9]

MDX seems great for fire roads and trail heads but real off road trails is a no no for most AWD cars.

[@ddmirolli]

"I didn't buy an SUV so I could read-" *Subscribes*

[@DoubleDsp]

I don't remember the mdx commercial showing it drive off road and climb rocks. Can you make it into something that can? Of course! You people out there can't be stopped! Overall, that sh awd is amazing in anything that you can toss in front of it getting to work or your kids to school! It made it through whatever that was! Capable? Yes! Ideal? Not until someone puts their mind to it!

[@Dr_Monitor]

3:06 "...and a hint of oil in the background" considering the J37 motors used to chug oil, that's not surprising even a little bit. The fact that a unibody AWD SUV was able to hang with 2 body-on-frame off-road SUVs is impressive.

[@mrgold3591]

Using the same type of tires as the TRDs might have helped a touch. Fun to watch; but, the MDX is more at home hugging the corners on a mountain switchback than off road rock crawling.

[@723lion]

i have 2011 mdx and 2019 4runner. the mdx never failed me, 4runner almost got me killed first time off-roading

[@calebloewen]

I may have just finished watching every video on your channel. It's excellent. Keep it up! +1 sub

[@michaelkrenzer3296]

The closing comments about what other impractical vehicle you should take on the trailer is answered in a much later video...a (rental) Nissan Altima filled with European tourists!

[@seanyunt]

Recently took our 2013 into the Colville National Forest for a turkey hunting trip. I didn't intend to got "4x4" offroad, but there were plenty of sketchy forest roads that had just recently been cleared of snow, and the SH-AWD kept us from spinning out multiple times.

[@tylerbudgell8774]

Ive got mdx with 3 inch suspension lift 31" toyo trail grapplers and have done trails that 4runners got no bussiness on its not the vehicle its the driver

[@Eatshhhushi]

This review would have been better if the tires were properly air down and equipped with off road tires. All-Season tires is not for this type of terrain.

[@mackmcmillan9905]

0:13 - Seems like the urban youth market would go ham for a SH-AWD-E version.

[@brandonlawson9402]

Dude I love your channel! I have been riding in that area since I was a kid, that wet clay out there is NO JOKE!! and good thinking not leaving it out overnight on the trail, I've seen stuck cars picked clean in a few hours

[@Trd.pro.sequoia]

MDX TWO: m.facebook.com/sothearith.chum/albums/10217382129968236/?ref=bookmarks

[@Trd.pro.sequoia]

MDX ONE: m.facebook.com/sothearith.chum/albums/10218718804704269/?ref=bookmarks

[@noreworks]

also "I didn't buy an suv so I can read" is something only a murican can come up with

[@jimmybryan6760]

New subscriber, not looking to build a rack but worth watching for the link to T-nutz

[@bohan9957]

I feel sorry for whoever that will buy this MDX as a used vehicle.

[@kevinmccluskey5403]

Why fo you complain lift the acura 3 inch and put the same tire as those toyota and let the show biggin

[@jasonmajere2165]

Guess Off-roading Pruis is a thing in Mongolia. Some big tires and some gas economy.

[@JPWirt]

Yes! Take a Prius!! jalopnik.com/this-lifted-prius-trolls-jeeps-1825777000

[@fisherbryan381]

I'd like to see a 1980's dodge omni. The Turbo version.

[@tashfinrahman472]

we went to flagpole knob near the shenandoahs in va and our 2017 mdx sh-awd was doing awsesom at offroading

[@AfternoonProductions]

You did that with all seasons?! I give that MDX a big thumbs up

[@kristentovar644]

Whose vehicle is this? Would be so concerned about the damage if it was my car haha

[@ijustfelldown]

This makes me wish Honda sold their Acura brand in my country.

[@JohnIrwin]

dude, take your smart car out on the trail. Worst case scenario; you have to get out and carry it.

[@---GOD---]

Those people who moved rocks around to build you a path are cool as fuck

[@chrisbullock6477]

Common Sense and helpful upgrades can also take you along ways

[@sp0rtbilly77]

You should of just taken the Camry until you got decent tires for it

[@chocolatemonk]

you are testing a vehicle off road and did not air down tires in Utah?

[@Zilvinas.Garnelis]

Take a prius! 😁

[@pcctelecommunications8123]

...But first, fit/graft an AWD RAV-4 drivetrain on it(keeping it in the family). Body lift it with 3" spacers between the body and the subframes

[@grumpyshorts1056]

bowling cannon ball! Hilarious!

[@dscoduc]

I wonder if the Honda Pilot would do any better/worse…

[@joelcruz4133]

your set up to fail but the Mdx made , ill say impressive

[@waynekerrgoodstyle]

A Yugo! lol

[@enb3810]

Chevy cruze hatchback goes offroad next

[@yudicendrawan6871]

What if you lift it and put the all terrain tires?!

[@checkedoutchris]

Next off-roading car: Toyota Pious.

[@seneca-travelerprojects7795]

Take Some inexpensive classic car... entertainment value.

[@joeys4269]

"A name only the Japanese can come up with." It's not a name it's an acronym.

[@arianna298]

You should off-road a Kia forte. I do it all the time

[@jamiewolak]

This feels so different then the current content

[@reidspencer]

take a 370z lol

[@dennisgermain189]

one of those emoji things with the thumb pointing up

[@Onimun]

Oh shit the Calico Steps in an MDX. Nice

[@elementkx]

How about taking a VIP car out there???

[@bukolaayeni78]

Please try Mazda CX-9 2009 model

[@stevejohnson1685]

...and you got to eat at Peggy Sue's! How about Chambless to Rice in your MDX? Not as much rock, but some really deep sand. Did it once in a '92 Toyota Camry. Yay, throttle!

[@mattwatsonguitar]

Your commentary made this a delight to watch