2026 Acura MDX

Love this car for our family. We’ve used it with 3 across, including 2 infant car seats. And now we’ve removed the middle seat moving our oldest into the 3rd row with a booster. Love the flexibility of a bench seat that can turn into a version of captain chairs. Even with the 3rd row up, we can still fit our double stroller in the trunk.

This Mid-Sized SUV does the job well for a family of 3, soon to be 4. Of course the pre-2025 models have the touch pad instead of the touch screen, but it’s not so bad once you get some experience with it. The onboard computer may freeze up or just not work correctly on rare occasions when you really need it. Update the software to improve the software issues. The MDX is great for everything a suburban family needs. From the commute to work, hauling gear on the weekends and long road trips. The removable second-row middle seat helps configure this to your needs. I have another child on the way, so will update my experience in the future. The real world gas mileage is less than I expected, but the J35 engine that has been in so many Honda/Acura vehicles is extremely reliable. In highly recommend the MDX for its reliability, maintenance costs compared to European competition, and decent driving experience. I hope you enjoy yours as well!

I would recommend this car to someone with one or two children. However, with three children, I’ve found that it feels pretty tight, especially as the kids have gotten older. One of the main reasons to consider this vehicle is the Honda-engine reliability. You’re also paying for the Acura brand, and I appreciate that the car can use either premium or regular gas. In the four years I’ve owned it, my main issue has been the battery. Based on my experience, I would recommend replacing the factory Acura battery fairly soon after purchasing the vehicle. As far as newer models go, I’ve had loaner vehicles while mine was being serviced, including a 2026 model, and I was surprised by how similar it felt to mine. I found it disappointing that the safety features and camera views didn’t seem to have improved much, especially considering the price range. My husband drives a Hyundai, and I’ve found that its safety features and camera views are significantly better than what the Acura offers. As a driver, though, the Acura is comfortable and enjoyable to drive. The overall driving experience is one of its strengths. That said, I would not recommend it for someone over about 5'10", and taller passengers may also find the interior less comfortable. Overall, I think this is a good option for a smaller family, particularly someone with one or two children, but with three kids, the limited space becomes much more noticeable.

It's a pretty car from the outside, but in no way is it a full-size SUV. The second row has NO legroom. My legs were cramped just riding to the grocery store! And the 3rd row....forget about it! I wouldn't put anyone over 11 years old back there. And if the 3rd row is up, you will have no trunk space. Also, this car is known to stop (at a stop sign) and not start up again. Wait until that happens to you while you're on the highway in stop and go traffic........you'll be afraid for your life! But the mechanics can never replicate it, and it becomes a he said, she said situation at the dealer, and I've known at least 3 people this has happened to.

I really wanted to love the Acura MDX because, size-wise, it checks a lot of boxes for me. It’s roomy inside, comfortable for passengers, and has really good trunk space without feeling like an enormous SUV. Unfortunately, the technology is what really brings it down for me. My biggest complaint by far is the touchpad used to control the infotainment system. It is SO annoying. For a vehicle at this price point, I really wish Acura had just given it a touchscreen. The touchpad makes simple things feel much more complicated than they need to be. I’m also not a fan of the automatic start/stop feature that shuts the car off at stoplights. I know you can turn it off, but you have to do it every time you drive, and there are times when the car starts back up and honestly sounds like it’s struggling a little. The wireless phone charger is another miss for me. Mine is basically worthless, and it takes up valuable console space that I would much rather be able to use for storage. There are definitely things I like about the MDX. I love the overall size, the interior feels spacious, and the cargo area works really well for our family. But the features I interact with every single day are frustrating enough that I would not purchase another one. Overall: great size and space, but the infotainment system alone would keep me from buying it again.