2027 Acura MDX

Three rows, a generous bundle of standard safety tech, and a lower price than most luxury rivals make the Acura MDX one of today's best SUV values. It's also one of the more enjoyable vehicles to drive in its class thanks to a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and sharp handling. Middling speed and fuel economy hinder the MDX from being a top contender, and a fix for that — namely, an optional hybrid model — is unlikely for 2027. At this point, Acura has vaguely promised "enhancements" for the 2027 MDX, but we're not yet sure what these will be. Updates could range from reconfiguring the feature list to make more equipment standard to something more substantive. We'll update this page when Acura officially announces which upgrades will grace the 2027 model.

Edmunds spotlight: The fix is in, but not for a while

Acura recently updated the MDX's in-car tech, abandoning a clumsy mouse-based infotainment interface for a touchscreen. That single upgrade lifted the SUV higher on our list of favorites, but there's still room to improve. We found the MDX's estimated fuel economy of 22 mpg combined (21 mpg with all-wheel drive) difficult to match in real-world testing, and it trails nearly all luxury rivals. Acura is readying an all-new hybrid powertrain for the next-generation version of the smaller RDX, but the hybrid hasn't been confirmed for the MDX. It's an obvious candidate, though, as most rivals offer optional hybrids and plug-in hybrids that are more efficient and more powerful.

Competitors to consider

The MDX is about the same size as luxury best-sellers like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, but with three rows of seats, it also aligns with the Audi Q7, Volvo XC90 and Lexus TX. All cost more than the Acura. The Mazda CX-90 is an unlikely rival that, while not from what's considered a luxury brand, punches above its weight with a classy, high-quality interior and costs less than the Acura.

Safety and tech upgrades could buy the MDX time in a competitive class, but a hybrid answer to its mediocre fuel economy looks like it's still a few years away.