2023 Acura MDX consumer reviews

I purchased a 2023 Acura MDX Advanced in April 2023 expecting a premium ownership experience. While the vehicle has strong design, safety features, and overall drivability, my long-term experience has been mixed due to recurring quality and refinement issues. Over the course of ownership, I’ve had multiple service visits across two Acura dealerships for the following concerns: 1. Persistent cabin wind noise, later verified by the dealership and attributed to door molding issues, but not repaired 2. Wireless charging pad that intermittently disconnects and blinks, even after a replacement 3. Ventilated seats that technically operate but provide minimal real cooling 4. Mechanical noise when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse (workaround suggested, not a fix) 5. Battery failure requiring replacement 6. Camera system distortion, resolved only after multiple visits 7. Intermittent brake warnings with no obstruction present Most of these concerns were ultimately documented as “functioning as designed” or “normal operation,” despite repeated visits and escalation. The vehicle has never left me stranded and remains drivable, but at this price point, I expected better refinement, consistency, and resolution — especially after extensive documentation and review by Acura corporate. Bottom line: The MDX Advanced offers great features and styling, but buyers should temper expectations around premium fit-and-finish and post-sale resolution. I would recommend thorough test drives (including highway noise) and realistic expectations for features like wireless charging and ventilated seats. Would I buy it again? If I were shopping again today, I would take more time to cross-shop alternatives in this segment. While the MDX Advanced offers strong features and design, my ownership experience showed that refinement and post-sale resolution didn’t fully match the premium price. It’s a good vehicle, but not one I would purchase again without hesitation.

It is a very nice vehicle… a few exceptions… no heated steering wheel, no remote start no foot controlled rear lift gate and a few other amenities that comes with many other comparable vehicles. The trim levels do not make a lot of sense like aspec is considerably more expensive but only a few amenities and the advanced is almost 20k more for a few options that are stock with Lexus and other high end suv…

Like other reviews I love this car! Comfortable, stylish, it’s inherently a Honda so likely reliable. Gas mileage not great but better than MDX of the past which weren’t nearly as fun to drive! Highly recommend this Acura. Haven’t owned one since I had a 2008 TL but I have the same happy feeling whenever I drive it, now in a very different life stage!

I have the 23 Acura MDX SH-AWD I love the ride and looks of it. I wished I would have bought one a long time ago . Just wished it got better gas mileage. But for a V6 aspirated engine. I shouldn’t complain. It’s comfortable, handles as good if not better than the Atlas I had.

We love our 2023 Acura MDX -- handling, ride (in all modes), acceleration (definitely enough when you need it to enter the highway, etc.), interior, dependability, technology and size. This car is the perfect size for us with 3 dogs. We make lots of trips to the park and of course, to stores regularly too. We do lots of DIY projects too so we need to haul materials. The MDX offers plenty of space to do it. The gas mileage is great (25 mpg+ in the city for us) -> much better than the under 10 mpg we had been getting with our 2018 truck. Very pleased with the versatility of the MDX.

DO NOT BUY THIS CAR IF YOU LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS IN THE WINTER !! I bought this car less than a year ago . At first the tires were screeching. I was told by the dealership that is normal and an issue that Acura is addressing and it would go away. It has gone away. I bought the car because I wanted the SNOW mode and luxury of a top Acura car that is also good in the snow. Little did I know ,it is terrible in the mountains in the winter. The SNOW mode works great but what is terrible is the constant screeching sound when the gravel gets behind the flimsy shield in front of the brakes. DO NOT BUY THIS IF YOU LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF COLORADO!! Colorado treats their roads with gravel and not salt. So this is my first real winter with the car. There is a shield on the tire by the brakes/routers. It is very flimsy. So little pebbles and gravel get in there and create excruciating sounds of metal scraping. The shield may have to do with the high end braking system. Acura is aware of this problem because the dealership said it happens a lot and there is nothing they can do. I called Acura and they said it is environmental and there is nothing they can do. I have never had this happen to any of my cars and all my friends have not either. If you google MDX Type S Acura you get good reviews with no mention that pebbles and gravel get into the shields and can cause such loud screeching noise. I drove 20 minutes today and had to pull over 4 times to jiggle the shield to release a pebble. The solutions I have been told by other owners or online are the folloiwng : 1) Pull over and use your hand or a long screwdriver and jiggle the shield to release the pebble. This is very hard to do when you can't pull over and the sound is so great everyone is looking at you or your passengers just want to get out 2) Turn up the volume on the stereo and ignore it 3) You can drive really fast then hit the brakes or drive really fast backwards and hit the brakes. It is better at high speeds. Mind you, I paid $80,000 for this car and it is supposed to be the top of the line. Each day I cringe when I have to drive it, hoping I get to my destination without having to pull several times or have to find a space to drive really fast. Acura is aware because online there is even a tutorial on YouTube on how to release the pebbles causing the screeching sound. The car is nice and comfortable and very high tech. But who wants to drive a car that continues to get rocks in the tires that cause awful sounds. No one wants to drive in my car because it is painful. So no DO NOT BUY THIS CAR IF YOU LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS IN THE WINTER!!! No one told me and now I am stuck with a $80,000 car that makes so much noise! I just am going to trade it in and get a reliable Lexus (that is what I have always had). I am hoping this message gets out because Acura doesn't want to address it.

The car is very well made with a lot of features. Acura did not cheapen up with this car. I’m very happy with it. I highly recommend this car. I have had 2 other Acuras before and they are highly reliable.

MDX is awesome. Have had it for 6 months. Drives great. Why do I not recommend, and why would I never buy this car again, and why am I selling it????? The Auto Stop/Auto Start is incredibly annoying and useless. I have to push the disable button every single frxxxxn time I get into the car. I hate this. It does not save a dime in gas and in fact wears down components much much faster.

Just traded my 2017 mdx tech for a 2023. All the improvements across the board are great. I love this car. I’m a huge Acura fan. This is my 5th Acura, 2nd mdx. Every Acura I owned has been purchased new, since 2004. I have yet to have an issue with any vehicle I have owned. I keep up on my maintenace and thats it. I usually get a new one every 5-6 years or once my odometer rolls over 120k, just so I can get a decent trade in allowance. Prior to getting my 2023 MDX, I looked at the BMW X5 for almost 20k more (not worth it) and the Audi Q7. Both are very nice looking cars and drive great. However I also own a 2011 audi a5 coupe as a weekend crusier and at 70k miles the motor blew due to excessive oil consumption. The European imports look and drive great. But the reliabilty is for xxxx. I’ve known other people who have owned them and had similar issues. Over engineered fancy looking junk. Acura is right on par with all the Euro imports as far as fancy options, performance, looks and comfort is concerned. But when it comes to reliabilty Acura blows them all away. If you are reading this and are considering a new MDX, or any Acura product, research how many older Acura’s are still on the road or for sale with a lot miles. Then compare those to older BMW’s Audi’s or Range Rovers. All those brands are at least 20% $ more for an entry level when new. Then a few years later you will see them advertised for at least 20% less then Acura’s. A repair bill for a BMW (Break My Wallet) or Audi can easily de-value the entire car. So unless money is if zero concern. Go with the MDX. It looks and drives great, and you will have long term reliability.

Excellent car! I got this MDX in advance after trading in my 23 Pilot elite. Let me tell you pilot was excellent car I truly love that car but MDX is a step above the Pilot. I’d recommend this car to a small family or those who love’s performance cars and don’t want to by Germans.