The Acura MDX is a compact SUV built from 2001 to 2026 over 4 generations. Most were assembled in the United States — 57.5% of those on record. Between 2001 and 2026 it grew 25 cm longer and gained 104 kg. Engines offered: Hybrid, V6. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the MDX is
The Acura MDX is a compact SUV that Acura built from 2001 to 2026 — 26 model years. Our measurements put it at 4 generations, the current one starting in 2022. It has been offered with Hybrid, V6 power. Its closest sibling in the Acura range: RDX.
Where the MDX is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 2,930 MDXs on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| the United States | 5J8, 5FR | 2013-2026 | |
| Canada | 2HN | 2001-2018 |
Check your own: the first three characters of a Acura VIN decide which of these 4 lines your MDX belongs to. What every character in a MDX VIN means →
Got the full 17 characters? A free VIN check on a Acura MDX adds what the decoder can't see: open recalls, theft and total-loss records, and the safety ratings for that exact build.
MDX generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the MDX's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the MDX that gives 4 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001-2006 | 479 cm | 270 cm | 1992 kg | - | - |
| 2007-2013 | 484 cm | 275 cm | 2064 kg | +5 cm | +72 kg |
| 2014-2021 | 492 cm | 282 cm | 1970 kg | +8 cm | -94 kg |
| 2022-2026 | 504 cm | 289 cm | 2096 kg | +12 cm | +126 kg |
Between 2001 and 2026 the MDX gained 25 cm in length (+5.2%) and 104 kg in weight (+5.2%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the MDX that is 104 kg against 25 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Acura MDX tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment MDX owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Acura MDX have? Power & range
The Acura MDX is offered with 2 powertrains — 3.5L 6-cyl, 3L 6-cyl Hybrid. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 2 for the Acura MDX, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.5L · 6-cyl | Automatic (S10) | FWD | Premium |
| Hybrid | 3.0L · 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | AWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Acura MDX tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Acura MDX is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your MDX's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
The MDX by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Acura MDX. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | MDX | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 135 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 3,249 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Crash safety | ★★★★★ NHTSA | Frontal, side, rollover |
| Insurance | $1,104/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 2,437 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Acura MDX?
The MDX is a compact SUV, built from 2001 to 2026 across 4 generations. Engines offered: Hybrid, V6.
Where is the Acura MDX made?
Across 2,930 cars in our records the split is: the United States (57.5%), Canada (42.5%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the MDX have?
4 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2022. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the MDX grew 25 cm longer and gained 104 kg.
What is the Acura MDX warranty?
New models carry 4 years / 50,000 miles basic cover and 6 years / 70,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the MDX reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific MDX?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
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