Used 2020 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid

#11 in Best Midsize Luxury SUVs of 2020

Among the more easily recommendable luxury SUVs, the 2020 Acura MDX stands out as a reliable 3-row crossover SUV brimming with luxury details and an enviable resale record. It also shines brightly in the areas of safety, value and owner satisfaction. Although not as distinctive as a Mercedes-Benz GLE, Audi Q7 or BMW X5, the MDX’s roughly $45,000 starting price undercuts these competitors by a significant margin.

There’s also an MDX Sport Hybrid model as well as a performance-oriented A-Spec version, both equipped with Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). While not as performance-oriented as its European rivals, we think the 2020 Acura MDX delivers a nice balance of ride comfort and handling most drivers will find more than satisfactory.

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The 2020 Acura MDX luxury-crossover SUV offers enough luxury and performance to satisfy both types of driving preferences. Its potent V6 delivers strong acceleration and readily available power for passing and merging.

The 9-speed automatic, once a favorite target of our editorial staff, has been sufficiently improved as to fall off our radar, delivering rapid, smooth shifts as needed. Part of the transmission’s cleverness is its ability to start off in second gear, a process that allows for smoother starts and a longer run before the next gear change. However, upon hard acceleration or when set to Sport mode, the transmission software reverts back to first gear.

The MDX’s all-wheel-drive (AWD) system is among the more advanced of its kind. Its rear-biased, torque-vectoring setup makes this model feel more athletic than the standard front-wheel-drive (FWD) versions, and would be our recommendation if you live in a cold-weather state where road traction can be compromised. The available active-damper system further improves road manners and handling, and can be had when ordering the Advance package.

Stepping up to the 2020 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid brings a V6 engine and three motors, one in front to help power the front wheels and two in back to assist with rear-wheel torque vectoring. The system is a technological marvel and works seamlessly under the skin, resulting in athletic yet more efficient driving manners.

Inside the 2020 MDX you’ll find seating for seven, although opting for the captain’s-chair 2nd-row seats drops the count to six. Like most of its competitors, the MDX’s rearmost seat isn’t really designed for long-distance adult travel, although it should be just fine for kids or pets. Behind the third row is a decent-size cargo area, roughly on par with the Lexus RX 350L. We appreciate that the MDX Sport Hybrid doesn’t sacrifice interior space in order to accommodate its hybrid battery and components.

Regardless of which model you choose, you’ll find interior fit and finish above reproach, with multi-adjustable power front seats that make finding the perfect driving position a breeze. The driver’s seat will even move back as you exit the vehicle. Less impressive is the split-level infotainment and heat/vent/air-conditioning (HVAC) system that isn’t the most intuitive, offering touch-screen and hard button controls where a simple rotary knob would suffice. Our editorial team is also divided on the MDX’s button-operated gear selector.

Acura’s MDX for 2020 enjoys a good balance of looking elegant yet tough, luxurious yet practical. As with other models from Acura, this flagship SUV displays an attractive diamond-pentagon grille, and it’s hard to miss Jewel Eye LED headlights. Roof rails can be had to both toughen up the MDX’s personality and provide additional practicality.

Hybrid versions of the MDX look almost identical to the standard version.

The sportier Acura MDX A-Spec has 20-inch wheels that are a half-inch wider than the standard model, unique front fascia, larger-diameter exhaust finishers, and gloss-black accents.

ACURAWATCH
The AcuraWatch suite of standard active-safety and driver assists include such useful tools as forward-collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control (safely maintains a preset distance between the MDX and traffic ahead), lane-keep assist, auto high-beam headlights and lane-departure warning.

SH-AWD
One of the 2020 MDX’s best features, Super Handling All-Wheel Drive not only improves handling on dry pavement, it enhances the vehicle’s ability to safely navigate in wet or snowy conditions, as well as mild off-road situations. SH-AWD maintains a power bias to the front wheels during normal driving, but can direct torque to the rear wheels during rapid acceleration, or side-to-side for improved high-speed cornering.

The 2020 Acura MDX is surprisingly well-equipped out the gate. A standard model comes with the AcuraWatch suite of safety and semi-autonomous driving features, leather interior, power-operated and heated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, power tailgate, power moonroof and the HomeLink garage-door opener.

On the audio/entertainment front, the MDX includes an 8-speaker AM/FM/CD system with multiple USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity. The MDX also comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and Siri Eyes Free integration. The front seats benefit from 14-way-power adjustment for driver and 12-way for the passenger. Also appreciated is a power-adjustable steering wheel.

Aside from all-wheel drive, most major options are bundled into packages. Sport Hybrid models start at the Technology package level, which includes navigation, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, 10-speaker ELS premium audio system, perforated leather seats, 20-inch wheels and power-folding side mirrors.

The A-Spec package, not available on the hybrid model, includes features in the Technology package, and adds its own interior and exterior aesthetic upgrades. The top-line Advance package adds premium Milano leather upholstery, the active-damper system, ventilated front seats and heated steering wheel, surround-view camera, and auto-dimming side mirrors.

Note that the Advance package also comes standard with 2nd-row bucket seats for total seating capacity of six. If you want a bench and seating for seven, you can order it with the rear-seat entertainment system.

Making a strong 290 horsepower is the MDX’s 3.5-liter V6 engine. The standard setup is front-wheel drive with Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive optional on any model. The engine is linked to a standard 9-speed automatic transmission.

An engine idle start/stop feature is also standard across the lineup. Work has been done to make the restarts quicker, but it’s defeatable if you want to switch off the feature. To further improve fuel economy, Variable Cylinder Management shuts down three of the six cylinders during cruising and deceleration.

A front-wheel-drive (FWD) MDX can tow up to 3,500 pounds, while an all-wheel-drive (AWD) model is rated for 5,000 pounds.

The Acura MDX Sport Hybrid uses a 3.0-liter V6 combined with an electric motor, routed through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission developed from the NSX supercar’s 9-speed. In the rear on the Sport Hybrid are two electric motors, one for each rear wheel.

3.5-liter V6
290 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
267 lb-ft of torque @ 4,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/27 mpg (FWD), 19/26 mpg (AWD), 19/25 mpg (A-Spec)

3.0-liter V6 + electric motors (Sport Hybrid)
321 combined horsepower
289 lb-ft combined torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/27 mpg