Review: Acura MDX Sport-Hybrid is Uniquely Impressive

[@merekr439]

Purchased a 2020 Acura MDX Hybrid with Advance package. What a car! Have never felt this kind of ride especially in Comfort mode. Around curves, there isn't a SUV that can come close. Beautiful car. Also, color is White Pearl exterior and Expresso interior - impressive.

[@AutoN8GT]

M rk awesome! Great to hear that. I love the color combo too

[@Remi-xp6vx]

I agree, you can go really fast in curves and not really feel them. Also very fast in sport + mode and manual.

[@gunyvw8761]

i have an 07 with SH super handling.. looks like a brick but handles around corners like no other.. it doesnt have an electric motor anywhere.. and it can tow 5000 lbs with ease.

[@khanh6903]

Short and sweet review! This is exactly what I needed.

[@PennsylvaniaPlinker]

Theoretically it’s capable of driving 524 miles non stop on a highway. It has a 19.4 gallon tank and a highway EPA of 27 mpg.

[@BokehEffectABC]

Our 2017 MDX Sport Hybrid gets a fraction below 26 mpg for local driving. On highway, driving gentlely around a speed of 70 mph, I get 28-29 mpg. Not sure why the percentage of Sport Hybrid sale is low (about 5% according to the sales rep from whom I bought my car), anyway, I think the Sport Hybrid is a much better car and the small increase in price compared with the non-hybrid version is well worth the money. I only wish that it is a plug-in hybrid with a much bigger battery so that there can be a range of 30-40 miles on battery power alone. That would make this SUV perfect.

[@747-pilot]

The sport hybrid is much *SMOOTHER AND QUIETER - ENGINE AND EXHAUST NOISE* than the regular non-hybrid MDX (possibly the most important purchase consideration for me). And so this is the only version I'd consider. Even the regular MDX is much much more refined and QUIET than competitors (for example *compared to the noisy, harsh, unrefined Lexus RX* ). In the *COMFORT* mode, I absolutely love the MDX's ride, and also love how "finger-light", and effortless (like it was coated with teflon) the steering is. Comfort, smoothness, silkiness and quietness are the most important things for me. DO NOT use the word "sportiness" or any such thing around me!!!!!!! ...lest I blow up with anger! 😃 My only concern with buying a Honda product, is reliability. But I suppose with an extended warranty (8 year/ 120K) that should be OK. The only thing that HIDEOUS Lexus RX has over the MDX, is the bulletproof reliability and durability. By sharp contrast, the MDX is one of the most beautifully styled vehicles ever! I currently own a 2014 Lexus ES 300h. I don't think it is a very good looking car. I bought it primarily for the peace of mind of unimpeachable reliability and durability (also an extremely important purchase consideration for me), and convinced myself that I'm sitting inside, and so I don't get to see the exterior styling while I drive. The quietness and refinement are just "acceptable" and the ride comfort is not all that supple, soft or smooth. But it has definitely not disappointed me in the quality/reliability area. I've not had ONE SINGLE ISSUE with it and not a single rattle or creak anywhere in sight. Extremely, and exceptionally high quality is everywhere you look. But the way I've been thinking about it lately, while being rational and buying a reliable-as-the-sun-that-shines product makes sense, you have one life to live and you also need to *ENJOY* what you buy!

[@BokehEffectABC]

@@747-pilot "My only concern with buying a Honda product, is reliability. " ----I have never thought this is an issue. All my cars are either Honda and Acura, and, I do not lease.

[@harrytej]

@@747-pilot adaptive dampers too in hybrid

[@pbergn]

SH in SH-AWD stands for "Super-Handling" NOT "Sport-Hybrid" as you stated. I don't think Acura is using the same moniker to signify two completely different drive trains...

[@anishkajf]

Such a great, in-depth review!

[@AutoN8GT]

Anishka Farrington Thank you for the response Anishka! I’m glad you liked it

[@2003AcuraTL]

When you said Hello Everybody at the beginning, you sounded like Daily Dose of Internet

[@canmtb4676]

Hey, quick question. If putting a towing hitch for just installing a bike rack, not for towing anything , would that void warranty ?

[@AutoN8GT]

Pocha S that is a great question. I think that it wouldn’t and that the reason they dont rate it for towing is so that if anything breaks because of towing, they can deny the claim. But I don’t think they’d void the entire warranty over it. I’m not 100% on that though, so I’d recommend asking the service department. (I no longer work for the dealership.)

[@canmtb4676]

Nathan Adams Cars : thanks

[@Remi-xp6vx]

If you add all the HP is 376 HP but at 84MPH the electric engines turn off, that’s why you only get 321peek.

[@AutoN8GT]

Yes, it all makes sense to me now. The engine and electric motor have different power peaks. I wish that theyd make the RLX SH a RWD car so that when the electric motors aren’t helping, the car defaults to sending gasoline power to the rear. But for the MDX, this system works very well

[@mrgold3591]

The 3 electric motors and V-6 make max hp/tq at different rpms. The advantage with the Sport hybrid is city driving with more available hp/tq below 60 mph. The system provide more EV driving and tq at city speeds and gives you the same mpgs as hwy driving with little to no EV power. You are only getting 257hp max at 6300 rpm once you are +84 mph and the 321hp max is when all four motors are in sync (in the 2000-4000 rpms range).

[@sscheuri]

A northern Virginia guy. I know that access road.

[@AutoN8GT]

Scott Scheurich yes! Drive past it all the time

[@losequis7682]

When can we expect precision concept cockpit on the MDX?

[@anishkajf]

Do u think the 2019 MDX will come with the double-panel moonroof??

[@AutoN8GT]

Anishka Farrington no I do not think so because they’ve already announced the 2019 MDX Aspec and didn’t mention that. It would have to be a redesign

[@anishkajf]

Nathan Adams Cars okay 😔 ... what will be the biggest difference between the 2018 & 2019 MDX? What month will the 2019 release?

[@AutoN8GT]

Anishka Farrington I don’t foresee any changes accept for the packages and maybe different color options. The mid-cycle refresh was in 2017 (3 years after the 2014 redesign) and my guess for the next design would be 2020

[@anishkajf]

Nathan Adams Cars Okay. Gotcha. Thanks so much for the insight. I can't wait until I get my MDX. If I were in your city, u would definitely be my salesman. Lol.

[@AutoN8GT]

Anishka Farrington if you can’t find the right car or right deal, we can ship out of state 😏

[@erich2186]

So 4 motors to break down.

[@mrgold3591]

The Sport Hybrid system has been used in the RLX since 2014. No issues with the ICE engine, battery pack, DC inverter, or electric motors for the RLX hybrid, MDX hybrid, or NSX hybrid.