Acura’s 2025 MDX Type S: A Promising Luxury SUV That Falls Short
Acura’s 2025 MDX Type S is a luxury SUV that competes in a tough market against brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus. Despite some updates, the MDX Type S still struggles to stand out in its segment. With a turbo 3.0-liter V-6 engine producing 355 horsepower, the MDX Type S offers a range of features and a comfortable driving experience. However, it falls short in some critical areas, making it a challenging sell at its $76,900 price tag.
### Minor Updates and Impressive Features
The 2025 MDX Type S comes with minor updates like a new digital gauge cluster, refreshed front and rear fascias, and an upgraded Bang and Olufsen sound system. It also boasts features like massaging front seats, a panoramic sunroof, a driver’s assistance suite, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Despite these enhancements, the Type S model lacks substantial mechanical updates and retains the same engine and suspension as the previous model.
### Mixed Performance and Driving Experience
While the MDX Type S offers a comfortable and quiet driving experience on long highway trips, it falls short in terms of sportiness and handling. The 10-speed automatic transmission can be slow and indecisive, leading to awkward shifts and jarring stops. The brake-by-wire system is touchy and non-linear, affecting the overall driving experience. Additionally, the SUV’s weight is noticeable in corners, making it feel laborious and less agile compared to its competitors.
### Critical Cons and Room for Improvement
The MDX Type S faces criticism for being underpowered, lacking sportiness, and delivering an inconsistent ride quality. Despite its high-quality interior and usability, the SUV struggles to justify its nearly $80,000 price tag due to issues like poor gearbox calibration, a lack of unified infotainment art style, and subpar brake-by-wire functionality. While the standard and mid-level trims of the MDX offer similar features at lower price points, the top-end Type S variant still faces tough competition from rivals like the Genesis GV80, BMW X5, and Mercedes GLE.
### The Verdict: A Tough Sell at the Top End
In conclusion, the 2025 Acura MDX Type S shows promise with its range of features and comfortable driving experience. However, its shortcomings in performance, handling, and execution make it a challenging sell in the luxury SUV market, especially at its premium price point. While the lower trims of the MDX offer better value for money, the top-end variant struggles to compete with more refined and better-engineered alternatives from rival brands. Despite its improvements, the MDX Type S falls short of achieving true segment leadership in a fiercely competitive market.