2015 vs 2016 MDX
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
2015 vs 2016 MDX
Hi-
As a former TL owner, currently driving a company car (Ford POS), I am now allowed a Car allowance, and would like to look at an MDX. I'm looking for 2015-2016 years, and thought I would pose the question to see what everyone thought, or recommended. I would def go with something Certified, but want to be sure I'm not overlooking a newer feature, or re-design in a new model.
-I noticed the physical shifter disappears in the '16 model....has this been an issue on Acuras?
-Is the 9-Speed Transmission better than the previous 6-speed (in '15 model)?
Any other specific issues people here are aware of would really really help me out. Thanks in Advance!
As a former TL owner, currently driving a company car (Ford POS), I am now allowed a Car allowance, and would like to look at an MDX. I'm looking for 2015-2016 years, and thought I would pose the question to see what everyone thought, or recommended. I would def go with something Certified, but want to be sure I'm not overlooking a newer feature, or re-design in a new model.
-I noticed the physical shifter disappears in the '16 model....has this been an issue on Acuras?
-Is the 9-Speed Transmission better than the previous 6-speed (in '15 model)?
Any other specific issues people here are aware of would really really help me out. Thanks in Advance!
#2
mrgold35
You might get a better answer if you tell us how you might use the MDX
- towing
- fwd vs sh-awd
- mostly city or hwy miles
- tech level base, tech, or adv with or without entertainment
- safety tech wanted (ACC, CMBS, BSI, etc...).
- towing
- fwd vs sh-awd
- mostly city or hwy miles
- tech level base, tech, or adv with or without entertainment
- safety tech wanted (ACC, CMBS, BSI, etc...).
#3
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Well, It would probably be a lot of hwy driving, with some light offroad (unpaved roads) travel. I don't know if I'd really have to have the SHAWD option, but it would be nice for the winters when we get dumped on. I do love the tech, so I'd want just about everything you can throw at it. As far as safety, I'll take what's standard...hoping that a lot of it would be in the Tech packages. I can find 2015 and 2016 models very close in price and mileage, so if its worth it to spring an extra 5k for a newer one, I will. I just need some justification, and opinions.
#4
10th Gear
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Southeastern Massachusetts
Age: 68
Posts: 13
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I recently purchased a certified ‘15 MDX SHAWD with tech, I had thought about getting a ‘16 or even a new model. My usual yearly miles driven are 40k so I ruled out a new for now, I have a client who has a ‘16 and really likes it but also recently had the transmission replaced N/C by the factory. I decided to purchase a ‘15 basically because of that issue, I am very happy with my choice it responds well and drives very smoothly, living here in the frozen Northeast I can confirm it is great in the snow as well. I dropped mine off at the dealer for a TSB service (transmission software) they put me in a ‘17 MDX advance model also with SHAWD and of course the 9 speed. I liked it a lot enough that I threatened to trade my ‘15 in before I had made a payment. There are very few real changes in the two cars, the new one has a lot of electronic nannies that drive me nuts but once I shut them off I really enjoyed driving it. If your-mileage driven is low enough lease an ‘18. If you drive like me buy the ‘15 I really don’t think you will regret either choice.
#5
The 6 speed is a superior transmission to the 9 speed. Both in terms of reliability and drive ability. The 9 speed is laggy, clunky, and lumpy. The 6 speed is not amazing but it is WAY better in comparison. If I was personally getting an MDX the 15’s would be on the list and not the 16+.
#6
mrgold35
I think the 15 MDX Adv was the only model that came with widescreen Entertainment system standard on all Adv models? On paper, the 15 Adv sh-awd sounds like the most bang for the buck value in the used market. I have a 11 MDX Adv+Ent and it has the 1st gen electronic nannies (ACC, CMBS, BSI). I mostly use the these extra features when traveling because every hwy and city and every state seems to have their own different mix of normal and crazy drivers a little different from what I'm use to in NM. The electronic nannies saved me a few times from near collisions and makes driving less stressful when I put +20,000 miles per year.
#7
The 6 speed is a superior transmission to the 9 speed. Both in terms of reliability and drive ability. The 9 speed is laggy, clunky, and lumpy. The 6 speed is not amazing but it is WAY better in comparison. If I was personally getting an MDX the 15’s would be on the list and not the 16+.
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#8
Burning Brakes
I've got about 2700 miles on my '17 MDX - my first experience with a 9-speed tranny - and I'm so far pretty happy. Yes, it's different and the way it shifts takes getting used to - but I wouldn't say it should be something to avoid. I've had various 6-speed autos from Acura ('12 TL, '13 MDX, '15 RDX), and while those have all been solid, they're not awe-inspiring by any stretch. I have to be transparent that my '17 MDX was built in July 2017 - so certainly pretty recent and likely with most of the updates applied. Getting a CPO early '16 model might behave differently - so your experience may vary. But (knock on wood) so far I'm happy with the 9 speed....
#9
I just bought a 2015 MDX Tech in November. Same thing, was torn between a 2016 and 2015. In the end I went with the 2015 because of the tranny. Wasn't a fan of the 9 speed. AND I'm so used to keeping my hand on the shifter while driving that if felt weird without it. Not a big deal but the 6 speed is rated for 1 extra mpg highway...
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FlyinLowTL (01-14-2018)
#10
I just bought a 2015 MDX Tech in November. Same thing, was torn between a 2016 and 2015. In the end I went with the 2015 because of the tranny. Wasn't a fan of the 9 speed. AND I'm so used to keeping my hand on the shifter while driving that if felt weird without it. Not a big deal but the 6 speed is rated for 1 extra mpg highway...
Which tells you they made the change for the sake of stating “our transmission has X amount of gears”. I also agree, I hate the buttons and much prefer having a shifter to hold on to while driving. Sidenote: The 16+ MDX also gets a new version of SH-AWD (essentially SH-AWD 2.0) that is hydraulic vs electromagnetic if I recall correctly and can overdrive the rear wheels by 2.6% vs 1.X% in the older model. From my experience with the 2016 MDX the new SH-AWD is AMAZING and MUCH MUCH more proactive than the older SH-AWD system on the MDX. So if AWD is important to you, check out the +16’s for sure.
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