DeathMetal

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Hey, fam. Long time, no see. So We're going to be purchasing our next SUV and while the list was long and tested, we culled the list down to the MDX and an X5, with the X5 being my top pick...but ugh, the reliability. SO, we're going to be purchasing an MDX SH-AWD Advance in January (when the lease on the POS Lancruiser expires).

Aesthetics aside, is there any real advantage to the 2018 to the 2017?

justnspace

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DeathMetal!!

DeathMetal

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You've been busy, my friend. Hope you haven't bent any piston rods lately

GrebRL

The 2018+ MDX has Apple Car Play and Android Auto. These apps can not be added to the 2017. Also for 2018+ the 9 speed ZF got some software upgrades to improve the well documented uncomfortable shift problems.

Boardmember

What was up with the Landcruiser? (My wife’s dream car - but at a minimum, if ever, gotta wait til kids out of school)

Donn0128

There was also a pretty substantial front end update done for 2018. Personally I think its better looking, more in line with the rest of the Acura lineup. Like simeone already mentioned apple carplay and android auto are also standard.

jefferson88

The design update happened on 2017 models. 2014-2016s have "the beak" while 2017-2020s have the diamond pentagon grille. The 2017 refresh also made AcuraWatch+ standard along with automatic high beams, electronic parking brake, and the brake-hold function.
The difference between a 17 and an 18 is just the new head unit with AA/CP. The updated software on the 2018 transmissions is the same software update applied to the 2016s and 2017s via TSB because they are mechanically identical transmissions.

DeathMetal

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I've travel for work, usually 80 - 100 flights a year, for the past three years (yes, including throughout the pandemic) ans I have rented EVERYTHING under the sun at this point in time. The Landcruiser is bland, banal, lame, loud, and guzzling beyond its price point compared to countless peers. I cannot wait to rid myself of it.

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

Very insightful, thank-you.

mrgold35

There is also the 17 and 18 MDX Adv in Hybrid form. Pretty much the same cosmetic updates as the 3.5L 17 -vs- 18 MDXs. The updates for the hybrids are:
- 3.0L port V-6 + 3 electric motors for 321hp/289tq. Very quick off the line
- 7DCT (extremely smooth and always in the right gear)
- regen braking along with larger front brakes
- Sport+ mode for better handling, throttle response, and shifting
- electronic dampers for comfort to sporty handling (I keep it in sport)
- most sophisticated sh-awd system with tq vectoring on/off engine power
- 25 to 27 mpg avg in city or hwy. I've seen as low as 22 and as high as 31 per tank
- same 19 gal gas tank as the 3.5L MDX to give you up to 475-500 mile range in the right conditions for city or hwy travel
- look the same and same interior space
- no Auto Stop/Start
- same manit schedule as sh-awd MDX. Only uses 4.5 qt of motor oil, different fluid for 7DCT/rear dual motors, and two cooling systems that use the same coolant (engine and DC inverter).
- no issues with A/C, heater, or electronics in EV mode when idling or driving
- all the same accessories from the 3.5L MDX will fit on hybrid (mats, hitch, cargo cover, roof rails+crossbar, etc...)

Downsides:
- hard to find
- no towing; but, I did add a hitch/harness for swing out cargo carrier or platform 4 bike rack
- no spare; but, I added a full size spare and tools
- limited EV and very low 20s mpgs at/below freezing temps
- becomes fwd only at +80 mph (no tq vectoring or regen braking)
- no entertainment system available for hybrids

I liked my 19 MDX hybrid so much, I ended up getting a CPO 18 RLX hybrid last December. The RLX has even more power at 377hp/341tq and I haven't seen my mpgs below 29 since purchase.