Quick Take: 2022 Acura MDX Type S
Over the last 20 years, the Acura MDX has been the go-to SUV for families looking for a practical and reliable, yet upscale vehicle. Sportiness and driving experience were never considered as part of the equation. With a redesign for the 2022 model year, performance can be a major consideration in picking the MDX as a vehicle for comfortably carting the family and its equipment around, especially after experiencing the sport-tuned Type S version that we managed to spend some time.
The MDX Type S has a turbocharged V-6 engine that generates 355 horsepower mated with Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Equipment unique to the Type S includes front Brembo brake calipers, more aggressive styling on the outside, a sport steering wheel, 16-way power heated and ventilated sport front seats, and adaptive air suspension with auto leveling capability. All of these features contributed to a driving experience on the back roads of Half Moon Bay that made the MDX Type S on par with, if not better than some popular SUVs from European manufacturers, and we wouldn’t be surprised if the MDX Type S pinched some customers away from those brands after some time behind the wheel.
In keeping with the upscale nature of the MDX, numerous luxury features abound. Our Apex Blue Pearl test vehicle had a digital instrument panel, a panoramic moonroof, LED lights all around, surround view camera system, a 25-speaker Acura ELS Studio 3D Signature Edition sound system which we thoroughly enjoyed, massaging front seats, and a head-up display. Despite being a performance-oriented SUV, the MDX Type S was very docile even on rough sections of the Northern California roads, thanks to the plush seats and the adaptive suspension.
As midsize luxury SUVs continue to be popular across America, the MDX will continue to be a mainstay among them, especially with the availability of the Type S variant that we sampled. We’re looking forward to seeing how much more ubiquitous the 2022 MDX will become on the highways in the near future.
