Slowly but surely, Acura has been solidifying itself as one of the top players in the premium car sector in recent years. The lion's share of buyers might still head straight for one of the German brands, but Acura has proved that there are other options available for those who know where to look. The premium SUV sector is a particularly competitive segment, but with the release of the 2022 model year MDX, the brand has impressed buyers and reviewers alike.
The regular 2022 MDX was released in February 2021, but there's a hotter Type S version that was recently previewed at the legendary Pike's Peak. As of yet, there's been very little confirmed about this car by Acura, but leaks and rumors mean that some details about the Type S are already out there. A luxury, sporty Japanese SUV is something that many buyers have been waiting for, and the hotter MDX might be a surprise hit if it's as good as it's rumored to be. Let's take a look at what we know about the upcoming Type S and see how it stacks up to its competition.
10 A 3.0L V6 Engine
One of the few things we do know about the upcoming Type S is that it will feature the same 3.0L V6 engine that's currently in the TLX Type S. That will be mated to the same ten-speed automatic transmission that's already available in top-spec MDXs.
The TLX Type S can sprint from 0-60 in just 4.5 seconds, so hopefully, the MDX Type S should sport similar acceleration figures. It'll likely be a little slower, given that it's heavier and bigger than a TLX, so a 0-60 time in the region of 5.5 seconds is expected.
9 Plenty Of Power And Torque
Acura has said that the upcoming model will have the same power figures as the TLX Type S, which means 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. That's around the same figures as SUVs like the Audi SQ5 and Mercedes-AMG GLC 43, which are priced in the same bracket.
Like its rivals, the Type S won't be built as a heavy hauler, although it should still be able to pull around the same weight as its German competition. Instead, the focus will be on making a car with a quick but refined driving feel, and given Acura's success with the previous generations of MDX, it's very likely that this will be a great car to drive.
8 It'll Cost Around $65,000
Price is one of the most important factors in launching any new model, and it seems like the MDX Type S is fairly reasonably priced within its segment. It's hardly a bargain, though, with an expected MSRP of around $65,000. That's a significant increase over even the top-spec regular MDX, which comes in around $60,000.
It's also more expensive than the SQ5, GLC43, and BMW X3 M40i, which start at $52,900, $59,900, and $56,600 respectively. Whether that extra premium will cost Acura sales remains to be seen, but it's worth remembering that the price for the German cars will rapidly increase after options are added.
7 More Luxury Than A Regular MDX
As well as adding performance, the Type S version of the MDX also adds extra luxury features to the already premium interior. Quilted leather seats with heating and massage functions are expected to come as standard, along with all the features from the top-spec MDX.
A 25-Speaker audio system will also be included with the Type S, with 3D sound effects to ensure an exceptional listening experience anywhere in the cabin. That's an option that costs a significant premium in many German rivals, but in the Type S, it's standard.
6 Sports Upgrades
Of course, being the faster, performance-orientated cousin of the MDX, the Type S will have some mechanical upgrades. There are Brembo brakes for making sure the car stops as quick as it accelerates, and quad exhaust tips.
There will also be some altered exterior features, which include a rear wing, bodywork accents, and gloss black trim. The Type S will have its work cut out to compete with the likes of Mercedes and Audi on looks, but if anyone can take them on, it's Acura.
5 An All-New Body For 2022
Much like the regular MDX, the Type S has had a complete exterior overhaul for the new model year. It's a simple, clean look, with a focus on streamlining the car's body shape for optimum aero. Like many other modern SUVs, there's also a new, bigger grille, although that is usually a feature that's quite polarising among buyers.
Some love the look and some can't stand it, pointing to Lexus' infamous spindle grille as a reason for why bigger doesn't always equal better. Front-end design aside, the rest of the exterior is sleek but forgettable, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. After all, many buyers won't want to stand out from the crowd too much while they're driving around every day.
4 Colors From The NSX
On the subject of standing out, the Type S is also rumored to sport an enhanced range of colors compared to the standard MDX. It's not known exactly what those colors will be yet, but they're thought to be shared with Acura's NSX supercar.
Given how great the modern NSX looks, this can only be a good thing, although most Type S buyers will likely still opt for standard color. White, black, and grey cars have dominated the SUV market for years now, so it's good to see Acura trying to switch things up a bit for this new model.
3 Award-Winning Safety Features
For all its performance features and luxury options, the MDX is still at heart a family-hauling seven-seater. Most buyers will therefore be pleased to know that the Type S is expected to come with the same award-winning safety assists suite that the standard MDX comes with.
That should include everything from automatic braking and lane departure warnings to pedestrian detection and cruise control. America's roads get busier every year, and so most drivers will find the MDX's safety features a helpful addition to make sure that they and their families stay safe.
2 Great Fuel Efficiency
It's perhaps not the most headline-grabbing of metrics, but the fuel efficiency of a daily driver is a very important factor when calculating its overall running costs. Being an Acura, the standard MDX has one of the most fuel-efficient engines in its segment, and it's expected that the Type S will be the same.
Official figures won't be announced until the car is fully unveiled, but a 2022 standard MDX claims a combined 21 MPG. The Type S will likely sport a similar figure, albeit a fraction lower to account for its newly-enhanced performance capabilities.
1 A Release Date Very Soon
There's no word yet on the exact date that Acura will give out more details on the Type S, nor is there any definite news on when the car will be available in showrooms. But, the regular MDX was unveiled in December 2020. and was available for customers from February 2021.
Assuming the time scale stays the same, the full unveiling for the Type S is expected in just a month or two, and so it's likely that the car will be in showrooms for late fall. That's good news for buyers, as it means the wait is almost over and they should be able to purchase a new Type S very soon.