jungy4

Hey everyone!

Glad to be back here. I used to own a 2006 TL manual which was the most reliable car I ever had. I may come back to Acura as I am in the market for a crossover and 2017-2018 MDX is on my top 3 list. The MDX is classified as a mid-size but since it will be just for me, my partner, and a 40-lbs dog, I wonder if it will be an overkill since the 3rd row seat will NEVER be used and kept down. We can consider the similar year RDX but I currently drive a 2015 Audi S4 and we really would like more room up front and I am afraid the RDX may not feel roomy in the long run. I would love to hear experiences from the current MDX owners especially from the ones that are in the same situation as me.

Thanks in advance.

ESHBG

One occupant driver here most of the time but I am considering this gen MDX along with a few others to replace my TSX. Some of my thoughts so far:

• The MDX is really not that much bigger than the RDX but is an all around more refined package.
• The third row is tight and if you keep the seats down most of the time you get a better cargo area and won't even notice that they are there; I just view them as a nice to have bonus in case I would need them but they won't exist for me otherwise.
• The MDX is comparable to many others in this class and it doesn't feel that much bigger to me.

So yeah while a tad bigger than some others I am considering it's not remarkably so and isn't noticeable unless you compare it to a more compact crossover e.g. Mazda CX-5.

BreezyTL

iTrader: (8)

What would your primary use of the vehicle be? Just commuting, going on trips, etc? Personally I like space and would go for the MDX or RDX. The added space would be the decision maker.

jungy4

It will be my daily, so for anything and everything.

mrgold35

I like the +18 MDX because of some mechanical and software updates to the 9AT to smooth it out and updated info-tainment with Carplay. Not sure if you are looking at a base, tech, or Adv in fwd or sh-awd versions? I like the sh-awd versions because the MDX will handle better, give you all weather/4 season capabilities, only a 1-2 hit on combined mpgs, 3500-5000lbs of towing if you add the trans cooler, and you get a donut spare+tools with sh-awd (only an air compressor and tire goo with fwd).

We had an 08 RDX before upgrading to a 11 MDX (needed more room as the kids got older). Both kids are out the house and we now have a 19 MDX as our main travel vehicle. We never use the 11 or 19 MDX's 3rd row and love having the extra room in the hatch for travel, Costco/Sam's/Home Depot runs, when we need to take 4+gear (hitch 4 bike platform rack is no problem), and having a full size spare under the MDX when we do travel 4-20 hrs away from home. The 08 RDX was the perfect city car with the occasional out of town day or long weekend trips for two. The MDX can do it all from running errands around town, commuter duties, sporty driving, bad weather capabilities, loading up for 1-2 week vacations (more vacation fun if you add a roof cargo box or hitch cargo carrier or hitch 4 bike rack), or coast-to-coast road-trips in comfort with 1-4 adults.

The 2nd Gen 13-18 RDX is really a 14-16 MDX without the 3 row seats or extra room. I excluded the 17-20 MDX because of the updated styling, 17-20 hybrid model, and 19-20 MDX Aspec model. You get the 3.5L V-6 engine+6AT in the 2nd Gen RDX; but, the CR-V slip-n-grip awd system. Both the RDX/MDX will have very similar acceleration and mpgs. The RDX would be a good choice if you have tight parking or want a smaller footprint for daily driving duties.

andysinnh

Another reference point here. We're a family of 3 and never really have the need to haul more than 4 people, and use the vehicle for just normal household activities. I had a '13 MDX, which got in my view pretty bad gas mileage, and a couple of traits I wasn't fond of. So when the lease was up I moved to a '15 RDX thinking I didn't really need the larger size of the MDX. I ended up moving back to an MDX, going to a '17 and now my current '19 that I'm keeping for many years at this point. Why the switch back to the MDX? Hauling size was one major consideration. The RDX's usable space was NOTICEABLY less than the RDX - to the point that you needed to put the 2nd row of seats down to put anything decent size in the vehicle. Also, the RDX wasn't put together nearly as well as the MDX in terms of feel/features/quality (my opinion...). I think on my '19 I've only put the 3rd row of seats up 2-3 times over 3+ years - but the size of the vehicle is something I don't want to give up. Also, the change from the 2nd gen MDX ('13) to the 3rd gen MDX ('17, '19) solved the fuel economy issue, as the MDX gets the same MPG's now that the '15 RDX did. Just my thoughts....

NeoGeoH

My wife waited until the time was right to get her 2018 MDX. She absolutely loves it. It is her car, and what she uses to commute 44 miles a day round trip. 95% of the time it is her alone, or the two of us in the MDX. We are 50 & 52 and occasionally have our now adult kid(s) along with us. I also had a 2013 RDX (until it passed to my daughter last Spring) and while "slightly" smaller in every respect, that "slightly" shouldn't be underestimated. The MDX gets great fuel mileage for a vehicle of that size, especially on the highway. I would never consider a MDX "too much" or "too big" for just 2 people. Now a Tahoe, Expedition, Excursion... those are another matter. Don't fret, and go with the MDX. The extra room a MDX has vs a RDX is greatly appreciated by us.

Donn0128

Well, it is my wife, me and our 115 pound lab 99% of the time. Yea, he LOVES car rides so he is almost always in the car. We have never had anyone in the 3rd row, so to me it is a waste. But as we get older more car sure is nice. Especially now that we need to get a power scooter for the wife. So, scooter, groceries and the car back end can get cramped. Could we have done with an RDX? Probably, but it just never felt as comfortable. As an alternative you might look at a 2023 Honda CRV. Daughter got one and it is quite comfortable.

MCRacer

80% of the time it's either DW or I in our MDX, 15% DW and I, occasionally another couple. But for us it's perfect. Nice and easy to drive, easy to park, along with enough room for luggage on long trips, with the seats down carrying large or long objects. On a couple of rare occasions we have used the 3rd row with shorter adults in the 3rd row for trips of 30 minutes or so. 3rd row is ok for a short trip, but it's hard to get into/out of and not real comfortable.