Introduction
For more than a decade, the
MDX has been the top-selling utility vehicle in the
Acura lineup, serving as the only model with three rows of seating and a 5,000-pound towing capacity. The MDX hasn't changed appreciably since undergoing a
significant update in 2010, but an
all-new 2014 version is on the horizon.
Exterior Features
Classified as a small sport utility vehicle by the EPA, the 2013 MDX uses the same platform architecture as the
Honda Pilot and features Acura's signature grille, 18-inch alloy wheels clad in all-season tires, xenon HID headlights, front fog lights, and dual exhaust tips. Auto-dimming, heated turn signal mirrors are also standard equipment, as are a power-operated rear liftgate and power tilt/slide moonroof.
Exterior options include auto-leveling headlights and 19-inch alloy wheels fitted with performance tires.
Interior Features
Inside the 7-passenger 2013 Acura MDX is leather upholstery; a leather-wrapped, power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel featuring controls for the audio and voice-recognition systems; heated front bucket seats with 10-way adjustment for the driver and 8-way adjustment for the passenger; folding second- and third-row bench seats; 3-zone climate control; and an auto-dimming mirror with an
integrated rearview camera. The vehicle's assortment of standard features also includes an 8-speaker surround-sound system with satellite radio service, Bluetooth connectivity, LED lighting, and multiple memory settings for the driver.
Optional Features
Acura offers the 2013 MDX with three primary option packages: These include a Technology package comprised of upgraded leather, a navigation system with an 8-inch screen and real-time weather information, 410-watt surround-sound system, and a central control dial to operate the vehicle's various interior features; an Advance package that equips the MDX with a number of safety items as well as cooled front seats; and an Entertainment package with a rear entertainment system, heated second-row seats, and a 115-volt power outlet.
Under the Hood
Similar to last year's model, Acura has equipped the all-wheel-drive 2013 MDX with a direct-injection, 3.7-liter V-6 engine that generates 300 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque, all of which is managed by a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and hill-start assist. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2013 MDX are 16/21/18 mpg (city/highway/combined).
The powertrain is covered by a 6-year/70,000-mile warranty, whereas the rest of the 2013 Acura MDX is covered by a 4-year/50,000-mile new-vehicle warranty.
Safety
Among the 2013 Acura MDX's standard safety features are 6 air bags, 4-wheel-disc anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, and a trailer stability assist system.
The optional Advance package contributes to the overall safety effort by adding adaptive cruise control and a blind-spot monitoring system. Also included is Acura's radar-based Collision Mitigation Braking System, which alerts the driver to a possible frontal impact and applies substantial brake pressure when a collision is imminent.
In government crash tests, the 2013 Acura MDX received an overall rating of 4 (out of 5) stars, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the MDX received a "Good" rating--the Institute's highest--for frontal-offset crash protection; the MDX also received a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the Institute.
