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!

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...).

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.

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.

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+.

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.

laggy, clunky and lumpy? maybe in the TLX but they did something different in the MDX whether its software or hardware based. not sure where you are getting the reliability issues. i havent heard of any 9 speed failures.

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....

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...

The '16s also have a newer version of AcuraWatch, or at least a better tuned one. IIHS safety rating is higher on 16.