The 2018 Acura MDX lasts around 250,000 miles with some minor vehicle speed sensor and rearview camera issues reported. At $35,200 to $42,825, it’s a good value for a midsize SUV with some luxury features and great technology.
Is the 2018 Acura MDX a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2018 is a great year for the Acura MDX since it offers plenty of passenger room paired with a nice interior. Owner reviews praise the safety features, comfortable suspension, along with the low running costs.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are nice for a luxury SUV, the seats are very supportive on long drives, cargo space is also better than some competitors.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no major issues on the 2018 MDX. Models from 2009–2011 suffer from transmission failures, while newer ones from 2015–2022 are all very dependable.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is okay from the standard V6, although it’s not as fast as its German competitors.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2018 MDX is very safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. It comes standard with active lane keep assist along with adaptive cruise control. Optional upgrades include parking sensors as well as AcuraLink telematics.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 22 MPG, giving 429 miles of range from the 19.5 gallon tank. Gas costs are $47 higher than average, at $265 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2018 Acura MDX is cheaper than many other luxury SUVs on the market with relatively low running costs as well, making it a good value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Acura MDX?
- Consumer Reports says the 2018 Acura MDX is a well-rounded and functional luxury SUV, with high owner satisfaction scores as it ages.
- Edmunds rates the 2018 MDX at 3.8/5, enjoying the available SH-AWD system in the snow, but doesn’t like the rough auto stop-start system.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Acura MDX a 4/5, praising the passenger room in all three rows, but owners don’t like the lower fuel economy.
What Common Problems Does the 2018 Acura MDX Have?
Common problems found on the 2018 Acura MDX include vehicle speed sensor failures, the backup camera not working, along with a water leak on the driver’s floorboard. Overall, these problems are relatively minor compared to other luxury SUVs, leading to lower repair costs as the MDX ages.
Vehicle speed sensor failures are the most widespread complaint from 2018 Acura MDX owners, showing up at around 55,000 miles. The sensor simply wears out, and has to be replaced. Changing out the speed sensor is a fairly routine project, costing around $250 to $350, depending on local labor rates.
The backup camera not working has also been reported by some 2018 MDX owners in the first 5,000 miles. The software for the backup camera freezes, and it prevents it from displaying an image on the screen. There are some software updates available for the touchscreen which improve the reliability of the camera. Most dealerships will install these for free, while some charge around $50.
A water leak on the driver’s floorboard is another complaint on some 2018 MDX models, at around 10,000 miles. Usually, the problem is caused by a clogged or disconnected sunroof drain line. Clearing out or reconnecting the drain line is easy to do, costing under $100 at most dealerships.
There are five recalls on the 2018 Acura MDX, which is similar to other midsize SUVs. The most serious recall covers the timing belt teeth, which may separate. Acura will replace the timing belt on affected models for free. There’s also a fuel pump issue which can cause the engine to stall, Acura will install new fuel pumps for free as well.
How Long Will the 2018 Acura MDX Last?
A well-maintained 2018 Acura MDX can last around 250,000 miles, which is only slightly shorter than the long-lasting Lexus RX. Regular annual maintenance costs are cheaper than some other luxury SUVs, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $517 per year.
As a used 2018 MDX reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history report, owners should be prepared to replace the purge valve for $165, a blower motor resistor costing $275, along with the trailing arm which costs $500.
I have had my Acura for over a year and a half, and the only thing I have needed to do is oil changes. It is a very good vehicle and extremely dependable.
It has been reliable for me. I have not had any problems with the car. It also has very good safety features.
I have found my MDX to be very reliable. The only real problem I've had is the alternator going out. There is now a tear in the driver's seat, but it doesn't cause problems with the drivability so it isn't a big deal.
I stayed before, this is my 2nd Acura. I've never had any issues with either one. When you purchase a new Acura you can also add a service package that basically takes care of all of your maintenance for years. Very reliable and safe.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is good with a standard dual 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity Optional upgrades include more powerful stereo systems, a larger 9-inch touchscreen, along with a 16.2-inch rear-seat entertainment screen.
Standard safety technology is great for an SUV from 2018, offering:
- Rearview camera
- Road departure mitigation
- Active lane keeping assist
- Automatic emergency braking
- Forward collision warning
- Adaptive cruise control
Optional driver assistance features include:
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Surround-view parking camera system
- Blind spot monitoring
- AcuraLink telematics
- Rear cross traffic alert
Is the 2018 Acura MDX a Good Value?
Yes, the 2018 Acura MDX is a great value since it’s less expensive than many other luxury SUVs while still offering a nice interior and good technology. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $35,200 to $42,825, making it less than a BMW X5 or Mercedes GLE. When new, the price range was $44,200 to $58,650. Depreciation is similar to other SUVs, losing about 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Acura MDX?
There are three main models of the Acura MDX offered from the entry-level Standard, to the more feature-packed Advance. The MDX comes standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is available as an optional upgrade.
Standard is the entry-level model with:
- 18-inch wheels
- Automatic LED headlights with automatic high beams
- Adaptive suspension dampers
- Power liftgate
- Sunroof
- Keyless entry and ignition
- Power-adjustable, heated seats with driver-seat memory settings
- Power-adjustable steering wheel
- Leather upholstery
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support
- Dual-screen infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen
- Bluetooth and four USB ports
- Eight-speaker sound system with a CD player and satellite radio
- AcuraWatch safety suite (forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane and road departure warning and mitigation, adaptive cruise control)
Technology is an upgrade, adding:
- 20-inch wheels
- Automatic wipers
- Remote engine start
- Power-folding side mirrors
- Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
- Navigation system
- Color driver information display
- 10-speaker premium audio system with HD radio
Advance is the flagship model which has:
- Front and rear parking sensors
- LED fog lights
- Automatic engine stop-start
- Top-down surround-view camera system
- Heated steering wheel
- Sport seats with premium leather and trim
- Front-seat ventilation
- Heated second-row captain’s chairs
- Second-row sunshades
- Two additional USB ports for the third row
Entertainment Package Features (with Technology Package):
- DVD-based rear entertainment system
- 9-inch screen
- 11 audio speakers
- Replaces captain’s chairs with the standard second-row bench seating
Entertainment Package Features (with Advance Package):
- DVD-based rear entertainment system
- 2-inch screen (with HDMI input)
- 12 audio speakers
- Replaces captain’s chairs with the standard second-row bench seating
What Engines Come In the Acura MDX?
The 2018 Acura MDX is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 290 horsepower at up to 22 MPG. The engine is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which provides smooth and responsive gear changes. Performance is decent for a midsize SUV, taking about 6.2 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Acura MDX Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Acura MDX?
The 2018 Acura MDX is celebrated for its comfort and luxurious interiors that help establish its standing as a premium three-row SUV. The vehicle comfortably seats up to seven passengers across its three rows. The first two rows are particularly spacious, offering generous headroom and legroom that can accommodate adults with ease. The third row, while slightly more compact, is still more comfortable than most competitors and perfectly suitable for children or smaller adults.
The MDX is equipped with leather upholstery and power-adjustable heated front seats as standard. This provides a cozy ride, even in colder weather. For an even higher level of luxury, upper trims feature ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel.
Regarding ride quality, the 2018 MDX offers a smooth and quiet ride. Its suspension is well-tuned to absorb most road imperfections, providing passenger comfort even on longer journeys. The cabin is well-insulated from road and wind noise, which adds to the serene driving environment.
How Much Storage Space Does the Acura MDX Have?
The 2018 Acura MDX provides an impressive amount of cargo space that significantly contributes to its practicality as a luxury SUV. With all three rows of seats in use, it offers 15.8 cubic feet of space. That’s enough room for your grocery shopping, a stroller, or a few small suitcases.
If you need more space, the MDX allows for a flexible configuration. By folding down the third-row seats, the cargo capacity expands to 43.4 cubic feet. This is quite substantial and could comfortably accommodate larger items such as a bicycle, several camping gear pieces, or a stack of flat-packed furniture boxes.
For maximum storage capacity, the second-row seats can be folded down as well. In this configuration, the MDX provides an enormous 90.9 cubic feet of space. This volume rivals that of larger SUVs and can easily accommodate larger pieces of furniture, multiple large suitcases for long trips, or even a kayak.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The third generation of the Acura MDX was introduced for the 2014 model year.
2015: Carries over unchanged from the prior model year.
2016: Standard nine-speed automatic transmission, revised all-wheel drive system, along with a frameless rearview mirror.
2017: Minor exterior styling changes with new front bumpers and headlights, more safety technology added as well.
2018: Upgraded dual-screen stereo system with capacitive touch screen, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2019: Transmission programming changed, new A-Spec model introduced, and variable suspension dampers on Advance Package models.
2020: No major changes from earlier years.
2022: Fully redesigned after being out of production for one year with new styling, technology, and sportier Type S model.
How Does the Acura MDX Compare to the Competition?
The 2018 Acura MDX is a very nice midsize luxury SUV, offering plenty of room in the three rows of seating paired with a lot of the latest safety technology.
The Lexus RX is another midsize luxury SUV which costs about $3,000 more. Ownership costs are slightly lower on the Lexus RX, while the Acura MDX has more passenger room and seating for up to seven passengers. We recommend the Lexus RX if you want more luxury, while the Acura MDX offers more practicality.
The Honda Pilot is a midsize SUV which can be found for about $3,000 less. Both the Honda Pilot and Acura MDX are built on the same platform, although technology and luxury features are nicer in the Acura MDX. We recommend the Acura MDX since the extra features are worth the money, although both are very good choices for shoppers.
Do Owners Recommend the Acura MDX?
Yes it is an amazing package for the price. Most Acura s come standard with all the bells and whistles. I would say my choice on this vehicle was great. It is also very safe and comfortable.
Yes I like it very much. I especially like in MPG for a SUV that size. There is also good storage space.
Yes, while I did purchase my vehicle used it has been perfect for me and my girls. Sometimes I do wish it was a little bigger, but we make due.
I've owned 2 Acura’s and they are wonderful cars. The service department is top notch. The Acura line is a luxury car without the large price tag that usually comes with a luxury car. The finish out is beautifully made without looking or feeling cheap.
I like it a lot and I love my car a lot it makes me very happy I drive it everywhere to beach and the store the park