Auto enthusiasts were excited to get a first look at the 2017 Acura MDX last month, especially upon learning that it took design cues from the bold Precision concept.
The all new MDX looked so stylish that people couldn't wait until the New York International Auto Show for the company to take the full covers off its brand new ride.
Well, wait no longer. On Wednesday, Acura debuted its refreshed MDX model and MDX Sport Hybrid, touting the same diamond pentagon grille first seen on the Precision concept. The all new MDX Sport Hybrid model's powertrain gives owners more power and control behind the wheel with 35 additional horsepower than the regular MDX and an anticipated extra seven miles per gallon of city fuel economy.
"Upping the performance pedigree of the MDX with bold styling, our exclusive sport hybrid powertrain and the standard application of AcuraWatch technologies that many in the industry refer to as semi-autonomous, represents a major injection of Acura's Precision Crafted Performance DNA," John Mendel, Honda's executive vice president, said in the company's press release statement to announce the debut of the MDX. "These changes will continue to advance MDX's competitiveness and its legacy as the best-selling three-row luxury SUV of all time."
The AcuraWatch technologies that Mendel is referring to include advanced safety and driver assistance features such as a collision mitigation braking system with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow and road-departure mitigation.
The MDX Sport Hybrid peaks at 325 horsepower, while giving drivers a fuel economy of 25/26/26 (city/highway/combined). While both models of the new MDX offer active sport suspension that's supposed to improve the ride quality and overall handling, both also tout an integrated dynamics system, featuring three driving modes: Comfort, Normal and Sport. The only exception is the Sport Hybrid has an additional mode — Sport+.
According to Acura, the MDX is already the best-selling three-row luxury SUV of all time leading into the 2016 installment of the New York International Auto Show. Let's see if the impending arrivals of the MDX, which is expected to be available this summer, and the MDX Sport Hybrid, slated to follow later in the year, help that trend to continue.
