A new luxury SUV gives you the latest model, but it also comes with one big financial downside: depreciation.The 2023 Acura MDX has already absorbed much of that initial hit, while still offering the refinement, performance, space, and features that make it a compelling premium SUV.That makes a three-year-old MDX worth a closer look if you're shopping for a luxury SUV.
Instead of paying new-car money for something that will immediately start losing value, you can get into a lightly used MDX that still has plenty of life left in it.The bigger question is whether buying used means giving up too much.In the MDX's case, the answer looks surprisingly favorable, with strong reliability credentials, useful cargo space, and a range of features that make it more than just a cheaper way into a luxury SUV.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Acura and other authoritative sources, including CarEdge, Edmunds, iSeeCars, J.D.Power, and TopSpeed.Related This SUV gives you more than a Mercedes GLC for less This Acura delivers more space, value, and everyday usability than a Mercedes GLC—and costs thousands less.
Posts By Adam Gray The biggest depreciation hit is already behind it You're letting the first owner take the hit The biggest argument for a three-year-old MDX isn't that it's simply cheaper than a new luxury SUV.It's that it has already gone through the steepest part of its depreciation curve, so the first owner has absorbed much of that initial drop in value.That changes the value equation for a buyer who doesn't need the latest model year.
You can still get a premium SUV with the refinement, capability, and usability that made the MDX appealing when it was new, without taking that initial depreciation hit yourself.Related 10 luxury SUVs that are cheap to maintain and rarely need repairs You don’t need deep pockets for premium comfort, thanks to low upkeep costs.Posts By Tyler Dupont You still get a genuinely luxurious SUV Three years hasn't made the MDX feel outdated Close The appeal of a luxury SUV isn't just having the newest model sitting in the driveway.
The things you actually notice every day—quietness, comfortable materials, useful technology, and a feeling of refinement—don't suddenly stop mattering because the vehicle is a few years old.That's where the 2023 MDX still makes a strong case.Its cabin uses available Milano leather, open-pore wood, brushed metal, and soft-touch surfaces, while higher trims add heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic moonroof, and tri-zone climate control.
The technology also hasn't been left behind.The MDX comes with a 12.3-inch infotainment display, a 12.3-inch digital cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, AcuraWatch driver assistance, a power tailgate, and a nine-speaker audio system, giving a three-year-old SUV plenty of equipment for modern daily driving.Related 10 budget-friendly SUVs that rarely need repairs Budget-friendly and dependable: these SUVs won't break the bank.
Posts By Tyler Dupont The MDX has a reliability record worth considering It could be a long-term buy The MDX's reliability record is another reason it stands out as a used luxury SUV.rates it 79 out of 100 for reliability, while gives it an average lifespan of 156,200 miles, or 11.5 years.also puts its chances of reaching 250,000 miles at 9.1 percent, making the MDX 1.9 times more likely to reach that milestone than the market average.
For comparison, the BMW X5 has an average lifespan of 133,300 miles, while the Audi Q7 comes in at 124,200 miles.Related This New Acura Is Shaking Up the Subcompact SUV Segment Acura’s latest subcompact SUV brings bold styling, premium features, and sharp performance, redefining what buyers expect in this segment.Posts 5 By Tyler Dupont The MDX costs less to own than some newer luxury SUVs You get plenty of SUV for the money estimates that owning a 2023 MDX for five years can cost up to $71,709, including insurance, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, and gas.
That may sound like a lot, but it's considerably less than the $106,718 to $114,745 estimated for a 2026 Audi Q7.The comparison gets more interesting because the Q7 doesn't offer a clear advantage in performance.The versions compared have similar 0–60 mph times of 5.5 seconds, despite the newer Audi costing substantially more to own.
The MDX also wins when it comes to carrying space.It offers up to 95 cubic feet of cargo capacity, compared with 69.6 cubic feet in the Q7, giving the Acura a useful advantage for buyers who actually plan to use their SUV as an SUV.Related The Perfect Used Three-Row SUV for Driving Enthusiasts With Families This used three-row SUV blends driving excitement with family comfort, offering luxury, agility, and great value in one package.
Posts By Tyler Dupont The Type S brings genuine performance to the MDX It's more than just a family SUV The standard MDX uses a SOHC 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 producing 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque.The Type S gets a 3.0-liter DOHC turbocharged V-6 producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft, giving it a substantial step up in power.The standard MDX is tuned for balance, using a double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear setup to control body movement while keeping the ride comfortable.
SH-AWD models add Acura's torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, while the Type S gets SH-AWD as standard.Acura MDX Like SUV 2023 Base: $49,550 Base Trim Engine 3.5L V6 Gas Base Trim Transmission 10-Speed Automatic Base Trim Drivetrain Front-Wheel Drive Base Trim Horsepower 290 hp Base Trim Torque 267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm Fuel Economy 19/26 MPG Make Acura Model MDX Segment Midsize Luxury SUV Powered by Expand Collapse The Type S takes that setup in a much sportier direction.Its sport-tuned adaptive suspension lowers the ride height, while Brembo front brakes, a Sport+ drive mode, and an active exhaust with quad outlets give it the hardware and attitude to back up its extra power.
Related 10 Budget-Friendly Midsize SUVs That Are Great for First-Time Buyers These budget-friendly midsize SUVs offer reliability, comfort, and value, making them perfect choices for first-time buyers.Posts By Tyler Dupont Why the 2023 Acura MDX makes sense as a used luxury SUV You don't need to buy new to get the luxury experience Buying a new luxury SUV isn't automatically the smartest way to get a premium driving experience.The 2023 MDX has already taken much of its initial depreciation, while still offering the comfort, performance, practicality, and technology that made it appealing when it was new.
Its used prices make the proposition even more interesting.With a typical 2023 MDX now costing considerably less than its original sticker price, buyers can get into a three-row luxury SUV without taking the biggest depreciation hit themselves.The MDX isn't going to make sense for everyone, particularly if having the latest model year matters more than getting value.
But for buyers who want a genuinely premium SUV and would rather put their money into the vehicle than its depreciation, the three-year-old MDX makes a very strong case for itself.
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