2012 ACURA MDX

Noisy Car for the money

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 5 Safety Rating: 3 Technology Rating: Value Rating:

I have taken my MDX 2012 to the dealership several times to complain of a terrible grinding sound during low speeds and when coming off the highway. Several times have been told by dealership this car is fine and it sounds terrible. When turning at low speeds it sometimes makes a loud thud and clunk mostly after rain or bad weather when in reverse or parking the car.

My "New" 2012 MDX - 2k miles so far

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

Just bought a 2012 MDX Tech CPO with 30k miles and am pretty darn happy with it. Tested the X5 and X3, the Q5, the ML 350 and the similarly sized Infinity; the MDX was hard to beat for overall driving, quality build and standard features. SH-AWD is in a class of its own for on-the-road traction and performance. Driving during a couple of heavy down pour is a breeze. Surprisingly it has decent ground clearance for logging roads and unimproved two-tracks yet felt lower in driving than the others. Noticed how low in the bonnet the engine sits, must be how Acura lowered it's center of gravity. Lastly, could not believe the deal I struck with Acura vs. the German cars - much better.

Honda disappoints!

Performance: 3 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 1 Fun To Drive: 2 Interior Design: 1 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 3 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 1 Reliability Rating: 3

the MDX is not a luxury SUV. Honda, please go and try a german, or even a Lexus and try to learn from them! Noisy on the road at 70mph Poor quality audio Bad ergonomics Steering is too light with no feel. All kinds of rattles after 2 yrs and 26k miles. Mileage: a joke compared to similar size SUV's On the plus side: Engine ok Handling ok Will happily get rid of it when the lease is over. Will return to germans without hesitation.

Caveat Emptor

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 2 Exterior Design: 3 Build Quality: 2 Reliability: 2 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 2 Reliability Rating: 2

I've had my 2012 MDX for two full years now (and 25,000 miles) and it's definitely a mixed bag. I like the way it handles and with room for 7 or 5 and lots of gear it's certainly fit the bill of people hauler and long road trip mule, but for $45k, I expected better--better quality and reliability. I have driven the 2015 model and there are some improvements, but there are too many issues with this vehicle to recommend it highly. I plan to sell it and consider other options.

Great reliability fun to drive

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

Approaching my 2 yr. of ownership with just over 22k. and I still look at it when I park and walk away. Only visit to dealer is for regular maint. Speaking as a mechanic for more then 30 yrs. this vehical is solid, well built, and really rocks in any adverse weather conditions with its SH-awd system. Yeah think Im gonna keep this baby for awhile.

Buyer Beware...

Performance: 1 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 1 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 1 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

I spent over $50,000 on an SUV that is all talk and no walk. Everything about this vehicle exudes quality and detail - until you try to go up a steep hill like your driveway. WTF. The vehicle shifts up immediately, then slows down almost to a stall, then shifts down hard, goes 20ft then shifts up again. I was embarrassed as hell, and as soon as I can dump it I'm going to. Don't waste your time or money. I'm headed straight toward a real SUV like the new Yukon Denali etc... this was a wast of time and money and reputation on Acura's part. The dealers know about the shift problem, but they won't discuss it with you (I know an out of town dealer srvc rep that confirms this). Angry now.

Great value and decent features

Performance: 3 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 5

We've had this for a little over a year and 30k miles. It was really no more expensive than a loaded Honda/Ford/GM SUV. Normally I wouldn't buy a "luxury" brand for our family hauler given the 25k-30k miles per year we drive, but operating costs on an Acura are a fraction of the Euro brands. Depreciation also appears to be significantly more favorable. Transmission is relatively lazy and you have to keep after it to capitalize on the 300hp. Backup camera is terrible at night. Gas mileage is as expected...averaging 19.5 and 21-22 on long trips at 75mph. Unless you're comparing it to something significantly more expensive or smaller, this is a great overall vehicle.

Great luxury midsize SUV

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

After researches on most of the luxury midsize SUVs and driving tests on new Lexus RX350, Mercedes-Benz ML350 and Acura MDX, I decided to go with MDX Elite, mainly based on its performance, comfort, handling, safety features and value. I have no regrets with my purchase of this fantastic crossover since I drive it for almost two years.

Switched from a Volvo xc60 for the sake of comfort

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 3 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 3

I had an awesome 2012 XC60 T6 R type that was a thing of precision and style. Sadly it was also wretchedly uncomfortable.....rock hard seats, rock hard suspsension. I'm a mom with a bad hip and back who loves to drive fast but I just couldn't take it. So I went for my gently used MDX. My husband has a TL that is still running great at 70K, so now we're a two Acura family. I agree that build quality is certainly not up to some of the European standards. But this should be fine for a suburban mommy mobile that might see light off road duty on easy dirt roads on scout campout weekends.

Not Luxury Car Quality

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 2 Interior Design: 2 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 2 Reliability: 3 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 2 Reliability Rating: 3 Safety Rating: Technology Rating: Value Rating:

Its an ok car, but maybe I set my standards too high, the quality and craftsmanship compared to the germans or to even lexus is sorely lacking. I am downright shocked, I can see carpet staples, the carpeting stops in odd places so it looks cheap, the fake wood is horrible...some hard to touch interior parts. The service is horrible, at two dealers, one makes excuses, I point out issues and he shows me new models that have the same issues...such as a sticking glove box handle, squeaking at the b-pillar, hood plastic cushions that fall off, etc. Outside of the relatively poor build quality and craftsmanship (clearly not built in japan mind you) its an ok car, but acura needs to improve. Update: Its been four years with the car...my initial review has not changed, as time wears on the car runs rougher...it revs higher and hold its too long...dealer says its normal. Cannot wait to move on to my next vehicle, this one has been a bust.

Think what do you buy first...

Performance: 2 Comfort: 2 Fuel Economy: 1 Fun To Drive: 1 Interior Design: 1 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 2 Performance Rating: 2 Interior Rating: 1 Reliability Rating: 5 Safety Rating: Technology Rating: Value Rating:

People, if you had "germans" and think to buy this car - think first, this car do not have even close value to what it cost. I will go through it: Motor vs tranny - never mach torque to gear, so looks like you have 300hp for nothing. Make it to up/down hill you will see how hard it goes. ergonomics do not exist in this car at all, just start your search for clock, where it is? you will catch yourself - Im still looking ... while driving right? who is watching the road? SHAWD is a joke, torquevectoring more looks like rawing left/rigt, take it on freeway sport mode full gas - everytime gear change stearing wheel jerks. I can go and go about it. New car value ~ 30k top, just good quality buckt

What are they thinking?

Performance: 3 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 2 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 1 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 1 Reliability Rating: 4

Fuel efficiency poor. Why not use cylinder deactiv like on Pilot. Why not diesel? New Audi diesel sign better at motivating this much weight, efficiency about a third better. Voice tech terrible, useless, must learn the language. Blue tooth phone link also useless sound is so bad can't have a conversn. Rattles, lux Jpnese autos should't. Lots of rattles some almost seem to be designed into the car like the rattle that comes from the pssnger seat belt receptacle or the one that comes from the top of where the 2nd row seat splits. AC and fan direction hidden when you turn on HVAC. Why? Bttns are very hard to use.

Great value for money

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Great SUV on the fundamental side. Runs great, has enough power and handles like a small car. But the elecronics inside are sub par. Even non luxury (Ford) has better electronics. For example the screen is not touch screen and resolution is poor. There are duplicate buttons for every on screen function. In other words, navigation screen and the functions available there including audio are a duplicate of existing buttons resulting in cluttered dashboard. Rearview camera is cheap and has poor resolution. Doesn't work well in dark and during rain. Almost monochrome. Wish the side mirrors could be folded from inside. Its a wide SUV and I need to fold the mirrors to park it inside the garage.

Best all around SUV

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

We shopped Audi Q5, BMW X3, Volvo XC60, and Infiniti FX35. MDX was an afterthought after a disappointing drive in an RDX (not a bad vehicle but lacks features and feels like a CR-V with lipstick). We preferred the European vehicles' driving feel, but the MDX Advance offered more of the features we wanted, especially the safety features such as collision mitigation. Our prior experience with Acura (CL, TL, TSX) sealed the deal.

First Acura...Impressed!

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 5

Only few negatives to get out of the way... Coming from the German SUVs including the last one being a Cayenne, I would say the handling is on the "comfort" side. And the center cluster is just way too cluttered for any standard. Nevertheless, MDX makes up with enough grunt for such a heavy car and an exceptional value, especially w tech/ent that was by far the best deal compared with any comps, including JX. Very comfortable cruiser with ample room and storage and awesome audio too. We will continue to monitor if the Acura reliability is what people say it is....

2nd MDX

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

This is our 2nd MDX and we are very happy with our purchase. The car drives and handles very well and comes with a laundry list of standard options. I wanted to check out the new Explorer before we bought this one but the Ford dealership was too difficult to deal with. A relative of ours just bought the Toyota Highlander which I also like but the MDX handles better in my view. I was also able to get a better deal than the Edmunds True Market Value. Our kids love the car.

Disappointed- Inconvenient Car

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 2 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 1 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 1 Reliability Rating: 4

Had 3 months, car is not convenient, there are feature which make you wonder who thought of this? Obviously someone not driving but designing the car. If you get the car you will see what I mean. You can open the power lift gate with the key or with a button in the driver door but the power lift gate DOES NOT work with the truck button. Sure it releases the trunk and then you have to yank it up but its not powered…but is on the down slope. If you walk up to the car and it is open, you can’t simply hold all of your bags and “touch” the hatch door handle…no you have to open the trunk. You cannot open the power lift gate without first unlocking the entire car. Say you are at the stor

2012 Acura MDX w/ tech package at 2,000 miles

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I never thought I would own a "gas guzzling SUV” until taking a long test drive in an MDX. I had planned to buy a smaller 4x4 such as the Acura RDX or Honda CRV, but the MDX has the road manners of a smaller, sporty vehicle along with every convenience and safety feature I wanted. Gas mileage was a concern until it returned over 21 mpg on 1,000 mile round trip while fully loaded that mostly exceeded legal Interstate speeds. I expect better when it is broken in. The ability to control so many vehicle functions by voice is amazing and the Acura navigation system (reputedly the best on the planet) even knows its way around the back woods of South Carolina!

Traded down to Trade up!

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

I traded my 2011 QX56 for the 2012 MDX. Why? Well, I am looking to downsize my life while not giving up everything. Then MDX offers all I need and what I want. Versatility, sportiness, comfort, performance, and better MPG. Thought about LEXUS, MERCEDES, and found the pricing too high. The Range Rover does not provide the reliability and resale of ACURA.

Acura MDX 2012 Advance+Entertainment

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Looked at all models from Mercedes (GL), Lexus (GX), Toyota, Land Rover. Our needs were to fit full size cello in the back, 3 kids, 7 sitting capability occasionally for a car pool. Drivability and passenger comfort with technology to protect them. Acura MDX won at the end with the Advance and Entertainment features and space. Mercedes GL was close, had good room but much more expensive if decked out and the reliability history was not as good if reading feed back from internet. Did not drive as easy as Lexus GX and Acura. Lexus GX was best liked by driver sitting but not by the passengers (kids) secondary to cramped 2nd sitting and incredibly cramped 3rd row even for kids.

Enjoying my first SUV

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

Overall quite pleased with the vehicle. It's fun to drive, has a good bit of technological goodies and should be a reliable vehicle I hope my family enjoys for years to come.

A Welcome Change

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I traded my 2009 RL for the 2012 MDX. I was looking for more room, and was willing to give up some technology to get it. I now feel I have a win/win situation. I have the elbow room I sought, and don't feel I've given up any significant features. I now have a navigation screen I can see in the day or with my sunglasses on. The voice command system is more reliable/logical. The sound system seems just as good. I now have the hard drive storage for CDs. The power and acceleration seem better. The interior has high quality materials. It is a little thirstier by about 2 miles/gal. I miss the keyless ignition.