neoshi

Oh boy! Big rig trucker seats! Nice and bouncey! Yeehaw!

rtsjr

From the spec sheet. http://www.acura.com/-/media/Files/2...Fact_Sheet.pdf

Towing Capacity 3500 lbs. SH-AWD 5000 lb. with 5000 lb. Trailer Hitch and ATF Cooler, Sport-Hybrid Towing not Recommended

Electric motor torque should help towing. My 2006 Lexus RX400H is de-rated to 3500lbs as are Highlander hybrids.(from 5000lbs)

I have been waiting on this vehicle for a year. No towing is a deal killer for me. Anybody know what the issue is? Towing not recommended probably means you can't put a hitch on it.

It is quite common for this class of vehicles to have hitches installed. I suspect this will hurt sales pretty significantly.

rtsjr

Bummer

rtsjr

Towing not recommended for the MDX Hybrid?

I have been waiting for the MDX hybrid for a year. I own both an MDX and a RX400H. I like the MDX and wanted the MDX hybrid. No towing is quite strange for a full size hybrid.

Big problem IMO.

mrgold35

I figured towing would be limited to 1500-2500 lbs at a minimum because of the 3.0L engine. Zero towing or even for a bike rack or cargo hitch carrier is a deal breaker for me also. I might have to wait to see if the 3rd Gen RDX or the 4th Gen MDX will get back to its sporty roots like the 1st RDX and 2nd Gen MDX.

neoshi

The electric motors are probably the issue. The vehicle can move with motors only from a stop, so they probably can't handle much more weight than the MDX already is nor output the necessary amount of torque.

DJ Iceman

I agree that's probably the issue, but if so they should add a switch to put the vehicle in "tow mode" that augments or disables the electric motors from a start. It might be sluggish, but would allow towing which seems to be a requirement for many MDX buyers.

vicbastige

An SUV that can't tow. Simply ponderous. What were they thinking???

getakey

I think it might be more of a braking problem. On a long downhill, battery charge could go max making regen braking unavailable. The regular bakes may not be designed to handle extra weight.

dzionny_dzionassi

I would consider hybrid if it would have more power,I want sport hybrid. Not 3.0 sohc China market engine.
Charge me more... what will change $1000-$2000 on top on 53k? I would pay any day for extra 50HP and more modern engine. Is it so hard to put in RLX engine?
That's to bad, Acura lost second 2nd car purchase from me this year.
I was waiting, waiting and waiting... I was Acura fanboy, but my love is fading away...

RDX10

I know right. At minimum should have 3500 pounds for something it's size.

Tony Pac

This model will help Acura big time. It will cut some of the Lexus RX's sales. I am thinking to switch to MDX Hybrid. Waiting for some reviews and feedback

RDX10

I don't see lexus buyers moving to the MDX unless they need a third row, and even then the infiniti QX60 does a better job at "being a hybrid" if that makes sense and I'm sure lexus buyers are more likely to go that way vs coming to Acura.

Tony Pac

I am not sure about QX60. That car is very ugly and the interior is 10 years old lol. we all complain about Acura's interior, but oh god! save me from G37 and QX/JX disaster!

Tonyware

Some pics of the Chinese version https://www.facebook.com/AcuraConnec...66848140007185

mrgold35

Does Acura sell the same vehicle line up in China as North America (with the exception of the CDX on Facebook page).

HotRodW

http://www.autoguide.com/manufacture...-hybrid-review

HotRodW

2017 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD First Drive | Review | Car and Driver

HotRodW

2017 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid First Drive Review ? Power to the Little People

HotRodW

Just a $1,500 premium, and the only downside vs the conventional powertrain seems to be the inability to tow. Assuming the 7-speed DCT proves reliable, avoiding the ZF 9-speed would be worth the relatively small premium to me. The fuel economy and performance benefits are icing.

mrgold35

I was looking at the YouTube "2017 Acura MDX Hybrid Sneak Peak Review: A Sporty Hybrid?" and at 2.49 into the video they show a shot of the M.I.D. and it shows Trip B avg at 22.3 mpg combined. Makes me wonder about real world numbers compared to advertised? I'm still pissed you can't even tow 1500lbs.

TacoBello

well you could... just don't let the dealership see the tow hook on the back.

I can't comment on this thing, but when my brother had his ridgeline, man, you really didn't want to tow with that thing. It literally destroyed the fuel economy, pulled everything out of the motor and was brutal for passing. A 3.5L V6 should not be used for towing, especially on a vehicle that heavy already. I felt sorry for that engine, and all he was pulling was a small tent camper.

MCDavis

I've been reading and thinking and thinking and reading on this topic. It's actually an interesting idea but for a specific buyer. For instance, I love my '17 MDX, and my wife does too, and in a couple years we'll likely replace her TSX with something in the Acura line. For us, the Sport Hybrid could work for her needs as she's an intown commuter and loves driving a slightly larger vehicle. For anyone in a similar situation as myself this could be a good fit. Honestly I'd love to get back into a truck someday and the Sport Hybrid could yield the fuel and fun benefits of a smaller vehicle with a little of the benefits of a larger SUV. It's an interesting blend that Acura has presented here, however I think their market is going to be small.

Edward'TLS

Thanks to TSX69 on the C&D article. The rear motors' 11K rpm redline is particularly informative, other than the inability to do any physical towing duty.

RDX10

<br /><br />I think the older Jx35 was a very attractive crossover, the newer facifted version looks like a cross between a insect and a subaru outback (yuck). In terms of the interior, I find infiniti interiors to be really soft and inviting, it feels just warm and comfortable whereas recent Acuras IMHO come off as cold and corporate. I don't find them to be inviting places at all. If I was cross shopping the MDX and JX, it would be an easy win for the MDX with shawd and a conventional auto. However I have to say I was originally unoffended with the new grille, the more I see it on the road the more offended I get lol. It looks terrible IMHO, so much so that I could not buy an MDX because of it.

kssod

All early drive reviews say it drives and handles great. The same reviews all complain about the nav/ audio 2 screen set up and no towing.

to that I add no Apple CarPlay, and inibility to pick color combos. I would like the red or a dark grey with the Espresso.

looks like it is time to get rid of my 14-15 mpg around town 12 MDX Adv/Ent

DJ Iceman

This is starting to drive me crazy with Acura. I remember decades ago when my GM-loyalist parents would shop for a new car, they had to carefully study all the options and packages because completely illogical things were tied together. Want a premium sound system? You couldn't get the 5-speed auto. Want air conditioning (yes, that used to be an option)? You had to also add a limited-slip differential. Want ABS? Only available in a multi-thousand-dollar package that also included a lot of things they didn't want.

Acura, as a premium/entry luxury brand, should be offering CHOICE to its customers. I went to price out a hybrid MDX yesterday and was frustrated not only at the limitations on exterior/interior color combos but at the fact that I couldn't get the hybrid with the entertainment package. It seems like they are actually taking a step backwards in terms of customization.

kssod

Stopped at dealer yesterday to look at colors and inquire on release of Hybrid. They are a very large dealer, and have one allocated for Mat. Can possibly order or can swap with another dealer to have an Advance with Black copper and espresso, or possibly grey on grey. Not many allocated, mostly tech not advance package. Dealer also finds it annoying that Advance can only be had with captions seats.

Hard to justify ordering a 17 for possibly sometime in May or early June, when the 18 resigned TLX goes on sale June with an updated infotainment system and Carplay, Logical to think that the 18MDX will also get the upgrade, a feature I consider a must have for travel.