I'm coming out of a 2017 QX60 and considering a 2020 MDX, FWD w/tech. In doing some research I found that consumer reports has rated the 2020 MDX's overall reliability as a 1, on a 1-5 scale (higher is better). This is much lower than the 2019's rating of a 3. The 2017 was rated a 5. They site trouble areas on the 2020 as Drive System, Paint/Trim and Body Hardware. Any thoughts on what might be going on here. What's really interesting is the odd years, 2015, 2017 and 2019 are all rated higher than the following even year, 2016, 2018 and 2020. I had thought the 2014-2020 were similar.

 

They all share common body. The problem with model end is lack of parts to assemble. As they runout they start using whats available to put together the last of the cars on the line. But I really dont put much credance on magazine reviews. So far after readingmthe MDX forums for a while I see very few complaints about the 2020. BTW why a FWD and not an SH AWD?

 

I'm not sure what Consumer Reports is reporting on? The 18-20 MDXs are probably the most reliable version since the +14 MDX hit the road. Acura didn't make a lot of changes to the +18 MDX other than adding the ASpec models in 2019, more wood trim, and Active dampers on the Adv models. On average, the 14 MDXs being the 1st model year would be first on my list and followed by the 16 MDX when the 9AT was first introduced of having sightly more issues.

Here is a website that has all previous Acura models brochures if you want to compare base, tech, A-Spec, Adv, or Hybrid trim levels. You could probably get a CPO 18/19 MDX sh-awd Adv for the same price or cheaper to a new MDX tech fwd.

https://www.auto-brochures.com/acura.html

 

CR is a scam and I wouldn't trust their reports at all, even with gigantic grains of salt. However, the MDX is more reliable than any POS garbage that is being produced by Renault-Nissan (trust me we owned 3). The 2014-15 has the 6spd AT, 16-20 has the 9spd AT. What those data points are showing is CR's lack of incompetence and consistency and honesty. The every other year is eye raising on lack of information and factual bases. If I were you, just trade in that expensive Nissan parts bin for the MDX. You should have used other more reliable sources and sites other than CR for your research.