Acura MDX — model-year timeline & key facts
Published · Researched 2026-09-21
Compiled from the Acura MDX deep-research dossier; researched 2026-09-21. UNVERIFIED flags from the source research are preserved verbatim.
Key facts
| Powertrain | ICE (3.5L V6; Type S 3.0T V6) |
|---|---|
| Power | 290 (3.5L); 355 (Type S) |
| Range | ~770 (EPA-derived est.; 26 mpg hwy) |
| Battery | N/A |
| 0–100 km/h | ~6.9 (3.5L est.); ~5.9 (Type S est.) |
| Fast charge | N/A |
| New price US | US: $51,800 base FWD - $75,850 Type S Advance (Sept 2026; Edmunds); Type S $77,400 w/ dest. |
| New price EU | N/A (not sold) |
| New price CN | N/A (not sold) |
| Used price signal | Edmunds Sept 2026: 2022 base/tech $28k-$42k; 2022 Type S $34k-$49k |
| Value call | 2025 refresh-year used/CPO is the sweet spot; 2022 used is cheap but risky; new transacts below MSRP |
| Sweet-spot year | 2025 |
| Years to avoid | 2022 (electrical gremlins + transfer-case/PTO failures) |
| Reliability flag | Amber: 4th-gen electronics and AWD hardware are the weak spots; V6 itself proven |
| Biggest risk | Biggest risk is a 2022 with unaddressed electrical faults or high-mile transfer-case failure; 2021 buyers must VIN-check the crankshaft recall boundary |
| Community verdict | Buy the 2025 refresh; avoid the 2022 launch year; check every recall by VIN |
Model-year timeline 2021–2026
| Year | Generation / changes / reliability / used prices |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 3rd gen, final year (2014–2021) · 3.5L V6 (290 hp); Sport Hybrid discontinued after 2020 · Proven generation, but sits just outside the 2016–2020 crankshaft recall — verify VIN; fuel-pump recall covers 2018–2020 only · 23V-751 (2016–2020, check VIN), fuel-pump recall (2018–2020) · UNVERIFIED (~$28k–$36k inferred) |
| 2022 | 4th gen debut · New 3.5L V6 (290 hp) + 10-speed; Type S added: 3.0T (355 hp), SH-AWD, air suspension, Brembos. Touchpad infotainment · Worst year: Christmas-tree electrical failures, phantom braking, sunroof water leaks, early transfer-case/PTO failures emerging at high miles · FI-ECU recall (Type S, Jan 2025) · ~$28k–$42k base trims; Type S ~$34k–$49k (Edmunds, Sept 2026) |
| 2023 | 4th gen, carryover · Same · Same failure patterns at lower volume; sudden-power-loss complaints continue · FI-ECU recall (Type S) · UNVERIFIED (~$36k–$48k inferred) |
| 2024 | 4th gen, carryover · Same · Tapering complaints; no new systemic pattern · FI-ECU recall (Type S) · UNVERIFIED |
| 2025 | Mid-cycle refresh · Powertrains unchanged. Touchpad deleted → 12.3" touchscreen w/ Google built-in; new grille/bumper; B&O audio (19/31 speakers); massaging seats; AcuraWatch 360 on Type S Advance; A-Spec w/ Advance pkg · Too new for long-term data; refresh addresses the #1 owner complaint (infotainment) · FI-ECU recall (Type S) · UNVERIFIED (too new) |
| 2026 | Carryover (new Double Apex Blue Pearl color) · Same · Too new · Same · New only ($51,800–$75,850) |
Sweet-spot year: 2025
Years to skip: 2022 (electrical gremlins + transfer-case/PTO failures)