Tony Pac

The Best Gets Better: 2025 Acura MDX Receives Bolder Styling, Enhanced Tech and Bang & Olufsen Audio

https://acuranews.com/en-US/releases/the-best-gets-better-2025-acura-mdx-receives-bolder-styling-enhanced-tech-and-bang-olufsen-audio

MarcoTLX

It was rumored the MDX refresh would get Touch Screen infotainment instead of the True Touch Interface pad. Nice to see that rumor was true. 2025 MDX looks good feel bad for anyone that may have bought a 2024 or 2023 MDX and preferred to have a touch screen instead of touch pad

Also the 2025 MDX A-Spec will be available with an A-Spec Advance trim option too neat to see!

fiatlux

Jesus, 31 speakers. I think it’s safe to say we are well past the point of diminishing returns…which in other words means the MDX is wading farther and farther out of the premium space and into luxury territory, as befitting of the flagship.

Though, gatekeeping it behind the Type S badge is kind of odd, since Type S is marketed to be all about performance, no?

vertigo2

Quite happy with our '24 A-Spec, I see no reason to be upset about these changes for the '25.

ESHBG

fiatlux

It's kind of funny how the 12.3" infotainment system is cribbed from the Accord but is still a gamechanger, but that's really more about just how good/competent the Honda bits and pieces are. I wonder just how many sales Acura had missed out on, as most certainly there were more people who didn't buy these cars because to the infotainment system than those who bought it because of it. At least it's refreshing to see it get called out by so many automative journalists, although at this point it's beating a dead horse for all but the most ardent Truetouch/Acura apologists.

I just hope it makes its way down to the RDX and TLX as well.

mrgold35

I'm surprised Acura didn't make a powertrain or model changes with the +2025 MDX? Does the +2025 MDX use the updated 3.5L from the Pilot? The 2nd Gen MDX added the 6AT, Adv model, and 3.7L mods. The 3rd Gen MDX added the 9AT with the +16 model, 19-20 ASpec, electronic dampers with 19-20 3.5L Adv models, and Sport Hybrid option. I haven't look; but, will Acura add an Aspec+Adv MDX like they did with the MMC RDX?

cabanalane

Consumers always like "new" as new often = better. Aside from being familiar, reliable, etc. would you guys say the SOHC is better than DOHC J35?

fiatlux

Yes they did

fiatlux

It makes sense that they're still using the tried and true J35Y5 in the MDX. My understanding is that the Pilot got the J35Y8 primarily for emissions purposes; it drops from ULEV70 to SULEV30. There's virtually no difference in performance other than losing VTEC (which might be seen as a con). Acura tech tends to trail behind Honda tech anyways, and seeing as how there's really no material performance improvements I suspect they don't want to deal with the hassle of recertifying the powertrain and/or running into any long term reliability issues, and would rather let the Pilot serve as the guinnea pig for the new mill.

Tony Pac

Totally agree.....every day there is a new car and model. We cannot go and change it. I still believe the 2022-2024 models are excellent and there are no reasons to change it unless your lease is up and you want to get another one.

I m glad to see Acura brought some positive changes though.

Tony Pac

Thanks for sharing. 31 speakers and 12 on the ceiling = nuts!

mrgold35

The 14-20 RLX used a SOHC 3.5L with 310hp @ 6500 rpm and 272tq @ 4500 rpm with a 6AT for the 14-17 models and 10AT with the 18-20 model years. I wouldn't complain if Acura just added this engine to the Aspec model only.

cabanalane

The answer is wait, what new colors if any do you think will be added for 2025 MDX? I don't think there are any new colors on the 2025 Pilot vs 2024.

vertigo2

They've added Urban Grey Pearl and Canyon River Blue, both Honda colours.

MIKEYDRED

This is the same 12.3" screen the MDX debuted with which is differnt to the Accords, the only thing is they made it Google based, which aligns with the Accord. The Accords bezel looks closer to the Civic. I am suprise they didn't make it atleast 14" to seperate from TLX and more screen area. Personally, I had no issues with the touch pad in all the loaners I had and thought the wrist rest was genius.

I am interested in the new Blue as well, may consider one as the TLX becomes harder to find, but would need to match the exhaust sound of the TLX-S atleast.

Tony Pac

Another new ADX is confirmed!

Tony Pac

I saw in one of the videos, a small map on the right side of the gauge cluster. Is this a new feature? or it existed to pre-refresh as well?

sonyfever

Looks like Type-S has become the unicorn trim, and the A-spec Advance takes over the old base Type-S. Make a lot of sense to me, but I wonder if the ~$10k gap is too much in the lineup.

The tech updates are great, but the styling change is a regression at least on Type-S IMHO. The center console storage "improvement" is a joke....

sonyfever

It is new, the implementation looks ugly to me, but at least one has the option.

sonyfever

It is the Accord unit, which is not a bad thing. It is not a big improvement if one does not mind the touchpad. I actually think the TTI UI looks cleaner.

vertigo2

Can't wait to drop the hammer on 158 raucous horsepower (surely this will just be an HRV underneath).

Tony Pac

It would be great to see an ADX - TYPE S.

fiatlux

I imagine even Acura isn't naive enough to think they'd be able to sell it on the "performance" angle with a mere 158hp. I'm thinking an even 200hp from the Integra powertrain, and they'll market it with ads showing plenty of paddle shifting and vroom vroom sounds.

All will be forgiven if they drop the 6MT and LSD into it to at least make good on some of those "performance" claims, but they haven't the guts.

vertigo2

That would be cool, a Kona N (full fat N, not N-Line) competitor that won't burn your house down when the engine catches fire in your garage.

Haha, you're almost certainly right, but you know it'll still have a CVT!

Tony Pac

Of course lots of video out there but this is very informative:

jmhumr

Excited to find out whether they cut back on the gratuitous piano black in the A-spec trim.

mvl

One of the youtubers said it 25 models will hit dealer showrooms in May. Haven't seen anything from Acura that corroborates that but maybe they were verbally told by Acura in LA.

fiatlux

C&D reported the same

ELIN

I like the MDX refresh, especially the exterior of the Type S! If I'm being honest, I'm more intrigued by the "alternating spoke" design of the regular MDX wheel than the very pedestrian one on the Type S.
Probably not enough sales to justify a base Type S anymore so they packed almost every goodie into the A-Spec/Advance trim (except for the 31 speaker B&O audio). Not a bad move as the performance of the "S" over the regular model is not earth-shattering!

With the intro of the ADX, Acura will now have 4 SUVs to just 2 sedans. Sounds about right for the US, I guess!

Prediction: w/the demise of the TT interface and switchover to 100% touchscreen, the next major consumer complaint to Acura will be, "Where's the rotary dial or similar physical control"?
Continued complaint: Why does this thing nearly cost as much as an X5?

MDXAccord

No wonder dealers are letting them go for under $70k now

mrgold35

I haven't found a +2025 test drive; but, will it still have an issue with +2025 IDS mode not staying with "Sport" or "Custom" mode if last selected? I wonder if Acura adjusted the IDS mode to stay with last selected?

ELIN

By design, the MDX is defaulting to the highest fuel econ setting (i.e. Normal or Comfort, etc.). I don't know any car make that allows complete customization for car startup except through 3d party coding.

Did any Acura ever allow "Sport" or "Custom" to be the default when starting the car?

fiatlux

They can’t for EPA purposes. Cars are tested for EPA purposes in default drive modes at every startup. Same reason why you can’t just turn off auto-start-stop for good.

mrgold35

My 19 MDX Adv Sport Hybrid stays in the last selected IDS mode; except for Sport+ mode. I don't know for sure; but, the 14-20 3.5L MDX "should" do the same and stay with last selected between "Comfort", "Normal", or "Sport" IDS modes if last used. I keep my 19 MDX in Sport IDS mode 99% of the time and never have to touch the IDS select button. My RLX Sport Hybrid doesn't have the 3-4 IDS levels because it only has normal and Sport modes (RLX Sport mode = MDX Sport+ mode)

The 17-20 MDX Sport Hybrid also doesn't have Auto Stop-Start mode. It has an EV to I.C.E. transition that can use 1-3 eclectic motors w/ or w/o gas engine in any combination at a stop or up to hwy speeds. I can disable the EV-to-ICE mode and charge the battery 100% with max power to 3 electric motors in Sport+ IDS mode.

ELIN

At least you had fuel economy to burn on your "Sport Hybrid". I had no such capability/benefit on my '18 MDX Tech!

fiatlux

Now that you mention it, my TLX stayed in Sport too. I guess it can’t do Individual mode cause the EPA wouldn’t be able to test every combination in that mode.

https://www.cars.com/articles/do-all-those-driving-modes-affect-a-cars-epa-gas-mileage-1420663064071/

ELIN

Yeah, but the TLX you had was before hundreds of pounds lighter than it is now!

mrgold35

Seems like an easy menu item to add to any Acura to turn on/off "Auto Stop/Start" and have the option to "save the last IDS mode used or preferred IDS mode at start" (keep Sport+ one time use only). It was having to push the "OK" button on my navi screen was big "why this extra step" with my previous gen Acura's.

Tony Pac

It's very refreshing and exciting to read the warm welcome the new MDX got from media and people. Most reviewers and comments from general public were positive.

Can't wait to see the refresh RDX!