For the 2017 model year, the best-selling three-row luxury SUV in America got a lot more enticing than the current model year. First and foremost, the MDX has lost the signature beak. Secondly, the Sport Hybrid model promises to be quite an interesting eco-friendly machine.
Acura describes the Precision Concept-inspired front grille as the “diamond pentagon grille.” Thank the Lord the beak is gone! Moving away from the grille, the 2017 Acura MDX sports restyled Jewel Eye headlights, chrome rocker panels, a redesigned rear bumper, and twin tailpipes. Understandably, Acura is pleased with the facelifted MDX.
John Mendel, the executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., had this to say about the 2017 Acura MDX: “These changes will continue to advance MDX's competitiveness and its legacy as the best-selling three-row luxury SUV of all time.” Changes aren’t that big inside, though it needs to be mentioned that the MDX got a little more inviting.
The most significant change can be found underneath the skin. Forget the 3.5-liter V6 of yesteryear and welcome a 3.0-liter V6 that develops 290 horsepower. Step up to the 2017 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid and the 3.0-liter engine is matched with what the carmaker calls the Twin Motor Unit.
In plain English, the Sport Hybrid is motivated by the 6-cylinder ICE and two electric motors. The electric motors provide power to the rear wheels. Peak powertrain output is 325 horsepower, which isn’t that bad. The fuel economy isn’t that shabby either: 25 mpg city (9.4 l/100 km) and 26 mpg highway (9 l/100 km). That’s an estimated 7 mpg better in urban environments compared to the non-hybrid genre of the 2017 Acura MDX.
“Upping the performance pedigree of the MDX with bold styling, our exclusive Sport Hybrid powertrain and the standard application of AcuraWatch technologies that many in the industry refer to as semi-autonomous, represents a major injection of Acura's Precision Crafted Performance DNA,” added John Mendel.
Information on trim levels, safety, technology, and on-board goodies can be found in the following release.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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