2022 Acura MDX Prototype – Redline: First Look

Today we are going to take a first look at the all new fourth generation 2021 acura mdx acura is calling this thing an mdx prototype, but from the pictures you can tell that this thing is practically production ready. As you guys know, the mdx has been the best selling luxury three row crossover in america for quite some time, so we've all been waiting a long time. Let'S. Finally, take a first look now, following on the footsteps of the all new 2021 acura tlx, the fourth generation mdx. Prototype is acura's flagship model it's, not only their flagship suv, but acura is also calling it their flagship model here in the us, because the acura rlx has been finally discontinued and, as you guys know, with the mdx, it has a long history within acura. It'S been part of the lineup since 2001, so exactly 20 years now, and it has consistently been the best three row – luxury suv for sale here in america, with acura moving a little over 50 000 units annually. So obviously, an all new version is a very big deal and acura has thrown everything, but the kitchen sink at this completely redesigned model. It is now riding on an all new acura exclusive platform, it's, also showing off the first ever double wishbone front suspension in mdx. So again, that's taking a page out of the 2021 tlx. I suspect that the platform is very similar to the all new tlx, which i finally just drove.

If you guys are looking to watch that video i'll be sure to click include a link in the description below where you can watch my full review on the 2021 tlx. But this video is about the all new mdx and, as you guys know, with this generation, the fourth generation model, it is following up on the third generation model which to me didn't age, particularly well. Let me first start with the styling of this all new generation. Mdx, because if you first look at it in photos, i haven't seen this car in person, yet it is a very evolutionary take on the pre refreshed or the previous generation model. Of course, acura showed off the diamond pentagon grille on the mdx back in 2017.. On this model, it looks much more well incorporated. You have the four element july, led headlights with the chicane style, led daytime running light with led turn signals and you it looks like you also have led fog lights. Now this concept model is painted in a liquid carbon matte finish paint acura also showed off a performance, red uh version, and it really looks production ready. I don't know why acura insists on calling it a prototype. It looks like the 2021 mdx that we're going to be seeing in acura dealerships by early next year. Now the big news about this generation is an a hot new type. S model is also debuting that's right. The first ever type s branded suv in acura's, lineup i'll talk a little bit more about that on the power chain.

In just a moment. Now, following around the side profile, you can see the new mdx is about three inches longer in the wheelbase acura says, so that would give it a wheelbase that's, pretty similar to the new tlx, which is 113 inches long. It is lower, it is wider. It is longer than the previous generation, so it gives it a much more aggressive stance versus the you know. Third generation mdx model, this concept, or this prototype is riding on 20 inch, 21 inch wheels, which have been pushed out to the corners to give this car again a more aggressive stance. I hope these 21 inch wheels make it to production because they are a fantastic. Looking wheel on fatter tires, acura didn't have any specs on how wide the tires are, of course, it'll be available with either front or super handling. All wheel drive is my guess now out back. The rear also is definitely not quite as distinctive as the front. It has a little bit of infinity qx60 in the lines a little bit. You have kind of a similar shape to the taillights. You have those chicane style for the led tail lights, it mimics again the front the rear, integrated exhaust tips. Also look nice and clean. I hope the type s model has a more distinctive look with its quad outlet, design, which i'm expecting it to have a quad outlet, look to the rear, tail light or the rear exhaust system and, overall, let me know in the comments below what you guys think Of the new look of the mdx did acura push the envelope far enough, or did they play it safe i'm.

Curious to know what you guys think so leave a comment below and tell me what your opinion is on the styling now underneath the hood of the new mdx acura is introducing one all new powertrain and carrying over the previous generations. 3.5 liter v6 that'll be the standard powertrain in all the mdx models. Acura didn't disclose horsepower and torque figures, but in the 2020 model that makes it makes 290 horsepower and 267 pound feet of torque. I suspect the output should not change. Maybe accurate might add a couple of ponies here and there the big news, however, as acura's finally dumped the 9 speed zf transmission. Thank god, the 10 speed automatic designed in house by honda and acura is the standard transmission offering. My guess is front wheel. Drive will be standard, super handling, all wheel drive will be optional, which again mimics what we find in the tlx now uh in summer of 2021, the first ever mdx type s will launch, which will be available with the same three liter turbocharged v6. They will also see double duty in the tlx type s. I have not driven that car, yet the tlx type s will be coming out in the spring. The mdx type s will come out in the summertime. Acura estimates that powertrain will be good for 355 horsepower and 354 pound feet of torque i'm, hoping that acura eventually gives us the final numbers, and it has a little bit more power because something like that should have closer to 400 horsepower.

In my opinion, now the new tlx is significantly heavier than the old one. I suspect this new mdx to also be a little bit heavier with you know the current model, weighing around 4 400 pounds don't, be surprised to see this one gain a couple of hundred pounds, so i'll be curious to know what the performance is like. What the towing is like and what the capabilities are going to be like for this next generation model, so moving into the interior being that this is now acura's flagship model in general, the company also really pulled out all the stops. When you look at the cabin of this all new mdx, now being a prototype model, it has an interior that practically looks to finish and i have to say i'm very impressed with what i'm seeing first of all the interior design looks very modern. It looks very sophisticated, it looks incredibly luxurious and accurate has finally added a fully digital 12.3 inch display right behind the steering wheel. So acura has been kind of refusing to do that. They are debuting. This customizable full lcd display on the 2021 mdx and it has a really interesting design. You can see it shows a graphic of the car with all the accuracy watch safety systems. You can also change the layout of the tac and the speedometer if you'd like it. Definitely looks much more modern. It looks much more upscale at the front and center part of the center stack you're, also going to find the largest screen ever in an acura or honda product it's.

Now a 12.3 inch lcd display. This is, of course, part of the true touchpad interface. It is not a touch screen, although it looks like it could be a great touch screen, but acura refuses to do touchscreen, so instead you have that true one to one positioning on the touchpad, which also includes android, auto and carplay no mention if they are now Throwing in wireless apple, carplay, android auto, i really hope i'm keeping my fingers crossed for acura to do that. The screen in general looks much more modern. Acura says that it is now uh. The newest implementation of acura's, uh, true touchpad interface and it'll, also have a faster processor, so it's addressing some of my complaints with the tlx and the rdx of it being a little bit laggy and a little bit slow now being the flagship of the acura lineup. The company is introducing several new features, including nine way, massaging seats, that's right acura is finally getting on the massaging seat bandwagon and, i have to say the seats themselves and this you know, ivory leather with the two tone combination, look very comfortable and supportive. So i'm excited to try out those massaging seats. Akira is also very well known for introducing very high end audio systems that don't cost an arm and a leg like it's european competitors and the els studio 3d. Sound system now has 25 speakers and over a thousand watts of power. Now this system was excellent in the rdx and in the tlx.

So i imagine it's going to be even better in the mdx, so i'm very excited to try that out the rest of the cabin you can see. All the switch gear is the new stuff that we see from a lot of acura products. The steering wheel is all new. A lot of the switch here. Also doesn't. Look like it shared much with a lot of honda products, so i'm really happy to see. Acura is pushing the envelope there and they really needed to do that. The company is also saying that interior space has been improved overall, you have more legroom in the front second, and in the third row remember: the mdx remains a third row. Luxury suv that'll be coming as standard equipment, which is great because the 2021 tlx its interior actually shrunk, so i'll be curious to see how acura has improved the interior, space and packaging of the all new mdx. Now, if you guys are looking to purchase the all new 4th generation, mdx i'm, happy to say that this new version will be built at acura's east liberty, ohio plant when it goes on sale in the early part of 2021. If you want the type s version, you're gon na have to wait until the summer of 2021 and acuras has not disclosed pricing just yet. The current generation model starts in the low 40 thousand dollar range. Don'T be don't, be surprised to see this new version get more expensive, especially the hot new type s that should easily go over sixty thousand dollars, which is right in line with all of its competitors.

Remember the mdx will be competing head on with cars like the lincoln aviator, the genesis gv80, the lexus rx, a bmw, x5 mercedes, benz, gle and audi q7. There is a lot to choose from in this segment and acura needed to really push the envelope for the all new mdx if they want to maintain their status as the best selling luxury. Three row crossover here in america, but with all that said, i hope you guys have enjoyed my first look overview of the 2021 mdx. If you're also looking to see the latest cars i'm testing be sure to follow me on instagram at redline. Underscore reviews like us on facebook and as always guys, please keep subscribing to the redline reviews youtube channel for all the latest reviews.