Is The 2025 Acura MDX Type-S The Most Potent SUV Under $80k?

This week we drove the updated 2025 Acura MDX Type-S over 1300 kms (800 miles) to find out if it's still the flagship "Japanese" luxury performance SUV. Enjoy! MDX Type-S Ultra As Tested: $91,951 CAD // $76,900 USD

Testing the updates for this model year was the mission but in reality it was an excuse to kick tumbleweeds in the desert, go camping with family and get a back massage while winding through the back roads in wine country.

Big changes are the front bumper, new wheels, updated seats (hence the massage), additional sound deadening, a 31-speaker Bang and Olufsen system, but most importantly the touch pad is GONE! It wasn't my least favorite touch pad (Lexus has the worst), but that's like buying a trophy at a thrift shop for 2nd place.

It's replaced by a 12.3 inch touchscreen with Google Maps built-in which is a huge win. Massage seats are still better than most I've experienced and the adjustable bolsters and lumbar are necessary for the asking price of $92,000 CAD or $77,000 USD.

Steering wheel is perfect.

It's well rounded. It looks great and rides incredible thanks to the adjustable air suspension (photo #9 is lifted), but lower it in Sport+ mode and the dampers firm up to keep it more flat than is probably necessary for a vehicle of this size.

The 355 HP and 354 lb-ft from the 3.0L turbocharged V6 is plenty enough yet falls short of "inspiring". It's got a good shove to it and for a V6 sounds good, but with 6 people inside I quickly realized how much weight it was boosting along.

SH-AWD of course can still torque vector up to 70% to the rear and up to 100% of that torque to either the right or left wheel. It handles amazing considering the size.

Yes, for the same money you get more power and better sounds from a BMW X5 and more off-road capability from a Lexus GX 550 but the MDX Type-S is as balanced as it gets.