2023 Acura MDX Type S Review, Release Date, Engine, Price

The last year was pretty big for Acura. We saw so many novelties, not just in terms of three all-new models that were introduced, but also in terms of the fact that the Japanese manufacturer has brought back the legendary “Type S” badge. The famous moniker has always been reserved for high-performance versions of Acura models and the recently redesigned MDX is no exception. It comes with a whole lot of upgrades over the standard models and if we consider that the 2023 Acura MDX Type S will represent the second production year, it perfectly makes sense to see no bigger updates. Still, we won’t exclude the possibility to see further upgrades, which would make this SUV even more capable. This would probably come in some kind of an optional package.

Whether these updates come or not, the 2023 Acura MDX Type S will remain essentially the same. It will come as an upgraded version of the standard MDX, which isn’t just a great family hauler, but also a model that makes the driving experience even better. Compared to the standard MDX, this model comes with upgraded suspension, a more powerful engine, exclusive exterior and interior details, and many other things that make it pretty special.

Considering that the 2023 Acura MDX Type S will probably come without more significant changes, we presume that the launch date will be scheduled for the last quarter of the year, with a similar starting price.

2023 Acura MDX Type S Design

The popular mid-size crossover has just been redesigned and the new generation is better than ever. Not only that the standard version is way better than before, but there is also the new Type S model, which brings additional upgrades over the standard version.

The first thing to mention is a new suspension setup. It’s way sportier and what’s more important, it’s an adaptive air suspension – something we haven’t seen in Acura models before. Along with the upgraded suspension, there are upgraded front brakes, with bigger Brembo calipers.

Besides chassis and suspension upgrades, the Type S also comes with features that don’t just improve performance, but also make the car look even more attractive. One of the first things you’ll probably notice is the new set of 21-inch wheels, which come in a combination with 275/40ZR21 Continental ContiSeal self-sealing tires. Furthermore, you can find a new front splitter, as well as a new grille pattern, which doesn’t just look nicer, but also allows 10 percent more fresh air to get to the engine compartment. On the rear end, you will find an upgraded exhaust system, as well as a rear diffuser.

Another important thing we should mention is that this high-performance version comes with seven drive modes in total. More precisely, there are six drive modes, Normal, Comfort, Individual, Snow, Sport, and Sport+, while the seventh mode is a Lift mode, which raises suspension and provides additional 2 inches of ground clearance.

Interior

The inside of this performance SUV looks essentially the same as the standard model’s cabin. However, there is also a whole bunch of additional features, which make the cabin look much sportier. One of the first things you’ll notice is a flat-bottomed steering wheel, as well as contrast stitching. Furthermore, there are nice Milano seats with synthetic suede inserts, as well as goodies like metal pedals, metal glovebox handle and similar details.

Also, there is an optional Advance package, which brings additional design elements, such as wood accents, among other upgrades. Still, the package is mostly about additional features, such as a head-up display,  a 25-speaker sound system, 16-way power front seats with massaging function etc.

On the other hand, the overall cabin layout is pretty much the same as in the standard model. The 2023 Acura MDX Type S will continue in the same way, with three rows of seats and a seating capacity of up to seven passengers. The first two rows of seats are pretty spacious and comfortable, able to accommodate adult passengers with ease. On the other hand, this third row is a little bit tighter but still quite functional.

Another strong point of this SUV is the cargo capacity. This model offers more than you get from most mid-size luxury SUVs. In numbers, that would be around 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 39 cubic feet behind the second and 71.5 cubic feet of the total cargo volume.

Features

While novelties in this aspect are always possible, we don’t believe that the 2023 Acura MDX Type S could change too much. The list of standard equipment will remain largely the same. This means that you may count on goodies like a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto smartphone integration, navigation system, wireless charging, Wi-Fi hotspot etc.

The list of standard safety features will be pretty long as well. Some of the highlights will be goodies like a rearview camera, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition etc.

2023 Acura MDX Type S Engine

This aspect definitely won’t bring changes. The 2023 Acura MDX Type S will continue in the same with, with the 3.0-liter turbocharged V6, which puts out 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. That’s the same engine that powers the new TLX Type S. comes in pair with the company’s familiar 10-speed automatic transmission, which offers pretty good performance as well. Also standard is the company’s well-known SH-AWD system, which is arguably one of the better all-wheel-drive systems on today’s market.

The whole setup should provide excellent performance. At this point, we are still waiting for the official numbers, but we presume that the Type S will be able to hit 60 mph in somewhere between 4.5 and 5 seconds. As we already mentioned, the Type S comes with 7 drive modes in the offer, which allow drivers to set up the ride character in a way that fits best their preferences.

The standard MDX will carry on with the 3.5-liter naturally-aspirated V6, which puts out around 290 horsepower and comes standard with front-wheel drive, while the SH-AWD is available.

2023 Acura MDX Type S Release Date and Price

We expect that the 2023 Acura MDX Type S will hit the market sometime in the last quarter of the year. When it comes to the price, we don’t expect significant changes. The standard versions currently go slightly under 68.000 dollars. On the other hand, the fully-loaded version costs around 73.000 dollars. On the other hand, base MDX models, equipped with the naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6 will go around 48.000 dollars.

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