iutodd

I guess it begs the question: should the MDX have a "better" interior than the TLX? I mean...I think so right?

I personally think it's a great sign that they didn't just take the RDX/TLX interior and slap it in there.

honda_nut

Then you'd be left with a 2 car lineup since the ILX is most likely dead and the NSX doesn't really count. Not a very good plan.

Looking at that intricate stitching again, it goes all the way to the 3rd row. And what do we get in the TLX, the same skunk strip in the middle of the seats from the Civic. Ughhh

mrgold35

I didn't like how the Acura SUVs didn't have the same look/feel compared to the Acura sedans for interior design. The Acura SUVs always seemed to be a level or two behind/below. I felt having 8-way seats with only up/down headrest and the huge black plastic dash and upper door trim of the 14-20 MDX really took away for the upscale luxury feel. Hopefully, Acura will up their game on materials along with technology.

Tony Pac

The new teaser is just sick! Acura is on fire!

Tony Pac

ESHBG

It depends on how you look at it. From past info the ILX is dead and a new unnamed sedan is in the works so if you tighten up the brand and limit the choices it may actually be a cost save. MDX, RDX, new sedan (and this could easily be a combination of the ILX and TLX). Then have multiple trims/options within those choices.

If the TLX doesn't sell well what other choice would there be? Limp it along and possibly lose money or just cut it? I do feel as if the new TLX is going to be a failure unfortunately.

nore03

Oh sh*t! Massage seats in the MDX??? That is awesome!! Hopefully it doesn't have a 4 cyl engine. Acura sales person told me that on Monday when I went to go look at the TLX. Said the Type S version would get the 3.0. Hope that is incorrect....

04WDPSeDaN

iTrader: (1)

Finally! An Acura WE CAN ALL AGREE that has the right potential! This is something that can compete with the competition.

Don't fucking choke on this Acura and give us a water down ILX SUV version of this prototype

iutodd

I will say that the redline in the shots of the digital display is ~6800...which matches the 2.0t but it’s also right around the same as the J35/Sport Hybrid so it doesn’t really tell us much I guess. It does at one point click over to “individual” mode and there is a “Power Monitor” gauge that comes up. Would that be for the turbo or could that be a hybrid thing?

fiatlux

Assuming the range and fuel figure is also accurate, 394 miles on a full tank of gas (let's assume its 19gal like the 3G) is more like what I'd expect out of the 2.0T, not the J35/SH.

My optimistic view is that the Type-S model will be the J30/SH pumping out over 400hp, and the base will be a detuned J30 pumping out 325hp. My realistic view is that it'll be just the J30 with the normal 355hp, and the base will be the 2.0T with the normal 272hp.

honda_nut

Just noticed that the steering wheel is two tone a la Volvo. Interesting design, though not sure if it works. A wood option would be neat. Definitely excited to check this one out in person.

https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/MG...ring-wheel.jpg

BLEXV6

The only thing I don't like is the non integrated displays. I just hate that video monitor stuck in the middle of the dashboard. Looks like an afterthought.

datechboss101

Finally! About time the MDX comes with Massaging seats.

datechboss101

You sure buddy? I've pushed my 3rd gen to over 500 miles on a single tank, so that range on a fuel tank doesn't lead us on anything about the power terrain.

fiatlux

Well considering that the SH gets way better gas mileage than the 2.0T, I think it's safe to say that a range of 400 miles is most definitely *not* the SH model.

flanker271

iTrader: (1)

Yet another interior with a pop up screen sticking out like a sore thumb. It destroys the cohesive flow of the dash. This trend has got to go.

Barbecue Tech Tips

Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D stereo? What is so special about it I wonder? LEDs inside the speakers grilles and another 8 speakers over the TLX.

mrgold35

Having a 400 mile range on a full tank of gas could also mean the 4th Gen MDX 2.0T+10AT has a 17-18 gal fuel tank if mpgs are rated around the same as the 2.0T+9AT RDX combined mpg of 22-24 mpg.

jefferson88

I wouldn't be making engine/mpg/tank capacity assumptions based off the Distance To Empty display because it's dependent on the previous tank's average mpg.
When I fill up on road trips where I average 27+ mpg my DTE shows 500 mile range, but I've seen DTE as low as 375 when I've only been driving short trips. Same engine each time I fill up.

fiatlux

That’s why I say it’s probably not the SH. That car excels at city driving and short trips. 26 city, 27 highway I believe.

DreamTSX

WOW it looks great! Acura DOES know how to do premium luxury but just chooses not to with the TLX and RDX wtf?

iutodd

Only thing giving me pause is, as someone else pointed out in another thread, you can't see the intercooler in the spy shots of this MDX:

https://www.autoblog.com/2020/08/20/...#slide-2258569

There are a number of angles of the front and there is no hint of the white intercooler behind the lower grille. Compare to similar shots of the RDX where you can clearly see the intercooler behind the lower grille. The intercooler is also very apparent in shots of the new TLX. The lower grille of the MDX in those above spy shots is also much less "open" than the RDX/TLX so I'm wondering what is going on.

DreamTSX

I completely agree with you both cars will be 2021 model year they both should have the premium features as options at least. The TLX needs to be more competitive IMO. This MDX is confirmation that Acura can develop the features....why pigeonhole them to one model? This is a pivotal moment for Acura to improve brand image beyond just a nicer exterior and interior design than Honda.

mrgold35

The 1st Gen RDX had a top mounted intercooler with directed air channel attached under the hood. Maybe the 4th Gen MDX with the 2.0T did the same for more radiator/trans/Aircon cooling for a larger vehicle that would also tow 5000 lbs.

ESHBG

From what I have seen the new MDX will be released to be a 2022 model and what we are getting now/into '21 is just the prototype. But from the looks of things they have a lot sorted out so from prototype to production shouldn't be a huge leap.

mcrompton

Like the RDX Prototype it appears to be regulation sized mirrors and smaller tires away from production

ostrich

WOW! May be I should hold off on the RDX and wait for the MDX to come out!!!!!!!!!!!!!

fiatlux

Much like the TLX is a quantum leap over the ILX, the MDX has traditionally been a quantum leap over the RDX. Unless you absolutely need something now, or the MDX is too big, or you can't afford the MDX, I'd wait for the MDX.

pilozm

How annoying is the touchpad?
Is it intuitive and how long to get used to it?

I was annoyed by the button transmission, but eventually got used to it.

fiatlux

I got used to it after a couple days in a loaner, but I can probably also get used to a colostomy bag. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.

mcrompton

For the Acura software it works, and it works well. I found the 2021 TLX touchpad a little more accurate and responsive than mine in a 2019 RDX. Maybe a short learning curve. In CarPlay and Android Auto it's a lot of swiping around to get where you need since there is no 1:1 positioning but it's hardly unusable.

ostrich

I know!! Yes, I can wait and I can afford it :-) I just liked the smaller size of the RDX, that's all! :-) I should really wait then....!!!

mrgold35

It probably won't have all the features; but, the MMC 2022 RDX would have similar interior. The advantage with the the RDX is it has been out since 2019 and you might get a better deal compared to a 2022 MDX (assuming you don't need 5000 lbs of towing or up to 6-7 passenger space+cargo)

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

I'm interested in this. Currently leasing a 2019 RDX Platinum Elite which will end in Summer 2022. I'm very much thinking about getting the 4G MDX after the end of the RDX lease. A 2023 model year would be great so Acura has time to iron out some of the potential bugs on the first year model.

The RDX to be fair has a really nice interior, then the TLX took it up a notch. And with this new MDX, it seems like Acura again went up another level or two. Kudos for the good work.

ostrich

Very good point there too!!! Lots of think about.... thank you!

iutodd

That’s interesting - I guess we’ll see. I’m heartened by the fact that, either way, it doesn’t seem like Acura is just tossing the K20C6 in there and calling it a day.

I will continue to maintain that it would be a mistake for Acura to try to position the 2.0t as the volume trim when they have a turbo-6 they can use (and a hybrid).

Also I’ll just add that it looks to me like the upper half of the diamond grille is blocked off as well - given the amount of air (as judged by the size of the openings) the 2.0t seems to need in the TLX and RDX I just don’t know how they’re getting enough air into it.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

I do wonder if the base MDX may actually have the same J35 V6 with the 10AT, or better yet, the J35 V6 from the RLX with 310hp. The new MDX for sure will be heavier as it seems to be way more premium. The additional 20hp and 1 extra cog should help compensate for that.

And given how important the MDX is to Acura, going to 2.0T is a pretty drastic change that may upset some current MDX owners/fans. The MDX is a really good bargain right now as it starts at $55k with a V6 engine that enables the car to be pretty much the fastest in its class, versus the 2.0T competitors. They could maintain this advantage with the V6 NA while being somewhat different than others, and keeping the V6 for those that don't need the power of a turbo v6.

iutodd

I just don’t see how the J35 (especially with 310 hp) does Acura any good or helps them in anyway. They’ll have made all this effort to improve the interior and worked hard to develop the Turbo-6...and then they’ll just keep selling J35 MDXs for $45k?!?

I think that would be a mistake. Keeping it in the MDX is basically just Acura admitting that they have no better options - which is insane because they have the 2.0t, 3.0t and almost certainly a hybrid.

They need to use the engines and powertrains they’ve developed.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Sorry, I think there may be some misunderstanding. I didn't mean that the 310hp J35 will be the sole engine. Rather, that will be the base engine, and then there's the 3.0T with hybrid as the optional choice.

iutodd

The J35 is the ideal engine if you only have one. It's cheap, efficient and powerful. It's why Honda and Acura have kept it around so long - it's REALLY GOOD.

But the J can't stay around forever because things change: regulations, competition, etc. Acura has challenges specific to where they are at as a brand - in particular competing more directly with the Germans who have LONG surpassed the power output the J.. The 3.0t is their best opportunity, maybe in decades, to directly compete. If I'm Acura I am going to do everything I can to make the 3.0t a huge part of the MDX equation because it allows the brand to raise transaction prices while maintaining their value edge. Let me put what I'm saying in more direct terms:

The price difference between a 2.0t Q7 and a 3.0t Q7 is, essentially, $6,000. Based on what we know about the TLX and RDX the base price of the MDX is going to rise. Right now the MDX starts at $44,500. Let's say it rises to an even $46,000 for a base 2.0t FWD model. How much would a 3.0t model be in that scenario? ~$54,000 for a base SHAWD 3.0t MDX at most ($46+$6+$2 for SHAWD). That's a lot of dough...but look at the competition!!! The base turbo 6 Q7 is $61K. The base X540xi is $62,000. The base GLE450 4 Matic is $62,500. Even the new GV80 turbo 6 AWD - the least expensive model is $59,150.

The 2.0t FWD would be a competent enough base model to appeal to RDX buyers who want more space. Buyers would have a tech FWD 2.0t at $51K or they could step up to the base 3.0t SHAWD for just $3,000 more. I think a lot of people would be pretty damn interested in moving up to the 3.0t.