Best Acura MDX Type S Year: 2022 to 2026 Review

Finding the Best Acura MDX Type S year is easier than it looks. From 2022 through 2026, Acura followed a fairly simple path: one major launch, one major refresh, and three model years in between where the company mostly left the core formula alone. That is not a knock on the vehicle. It is actually one of the most useful things a shopper can know, because the year you choose matters less for how the MDX Type S drives and more for which generation of technology and features you end up living with.

This guide walks through every model year from 2022 through 2026, separates the changes that genuinely matter from the years that were mostly carryovers, and explains which Acura MDX Type S year makes the most sense depending on whether you are buying new or looking for the best value on the used market.

Our Take

After following the Acura MDX Type S from its 2022 debut through 2026, we think Acura took a conservative but ultimately sensible approach. The core formula has remained strong from the beginning: a turbocharged V6, Super Handling All Wheel Drive, adaptive air suspension, Brembo front brakes, and a genuinely sportier character than the standard MDX. Acura did not need to completely reinvent that formula.

Where the early MDX Type S fell short was inside the cabin. The 2022 through 2024 models offered plenty of premium equipment, but the True Touchpad Interface made everyday technology feel less intuitive than it should in a luxury SUV. That is why we consider 2025 the most important year in the lineup. The major refresh kept the proven mechanical package while replacing the older interface with a much more modern touchscreen system, adding Google built in, improving connectivity, upgrading the audio system, and adding more advanced driver assistance features.

In our view, the 2025 MDX Type S is the sweet spot of the entire 2022 to 2026 range. It gives buyers the updated technology and cabin refinement without paying a premium simply for the newest model year. The 2026 model remains an excellent choice for buyers who want the newest vehicle, but it does not represent a major step forward over 2025.

For used buyers, the earlier years can still make a lot of sense if the price difference is large enough. The driving experience and core Type S hardware remain remarkably consistent, so choosing a 2022, 2023, or 2024 is more about getting the right price and accepting the older technology than giving up a fundamentally different driving experience.

Pros and Cons

What works:

• Strong, responsive turbocharged V6 with genuine separation from the standard MDX
• SH AWD delivers engaging handling for a three row SUV
• Adaptive air suspension balances comfort and sportiness effectively
• The 2025 touchscreen is a major improvement over the old interface
• Well rounded standard and available luxury features, especially on Type S Advance
• Competitive positioning against several European alternatives

What doesn’t:

• Fuel economy is unremarkable for the segment
• Third row is better suited to kids than adults on long trips
• True Touchpad Interface was a real usability drawback through 2024
• Cabin noise trails some direct competitors
• Not the outright quickest performance SUV in its class

Acura MDX Type S at a Glance

The Type S sits at the top of the fourth generation MDX lineup, and it’s a real performance variant rather than a trim level with a bigger grille. It pairs a turbocharged V6 with Super Handling All Wheel Drive, an adaptive air suspension, Brembo front brakes, and 21 inch wheels, all of which have carried through essentially unchanged since the model’s debut.

What has moved over five years is mostly what’s inside the cabin and behind the screen. The bulk of the substantive vehicle level changes arrived in a single model year, 2025, while 2023 brought smaller ownership and service related additions rather than mechanical ones. The powertrain itself has been remarkably stable the entire time, which is part of why understanding the timeline matters more than memorizing a spec sheet.

2022 Acura MDX Type S: Where It Started

2022 is the year that matters most in this story, because it’s when Acura brought the Type S name to the MDX for the first time, arriving alongside a fully redesigned fourth generation SUV. Acura had used Type S badging on other models in the past, but this was its first appearance in the brand’s flagship three row lineup.

Under the hood sat a 3.0 liter turbocharged V6 producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound feet of torque, sent through a 10 speed automatic to Super Handling All Wheel Drive. Compared with the standard MDX’s 290 horsepower naturally aspirated V6, that was a meaningful jump, and Acura backed it up with hardware to match rather than leaving it as a paper spec. The Type S got a sport tuned chassis and suspension calibration, an adaptive air suspension with a Lift mode for extra ground clearance, Brembo front brakes, and 21 inch wheels. Sport and Sport+ drive modes sharpened throttle response and steering feel for buyers who wanted to push it, while everyday settings kept the ride comfortable. This wasn’t a cosmetic package. It was a genuinely different driving experience built on the same body as the standard MDX.

The fourth generation redesign also gave the MDX a larger, noticeably more upscale cabin than the model it replaced, with better materials throughout. One piece of that new interior turned out to be a mixed bag: the True Touchpad Interface, a touchpad based control system used instead of a conventional touchscreen. Acura’s reasoning was that keeping drivers’ hands off a screen would cut down on distraction. In practice, the system was widely criticized by reviewers and became one of the most common complaints about the early fourth generation MDX’s interior. Keep that in mind, since it explains a lot of what changes three years later.

Taken together, 2022 isn’t just another entry on a model year list. It’s the year the Type S formula was established, strengths and rough edges included, and every year since either preserves that formula or fixes one of its weak points.

2023 Acura MDX Type S: What Actually Changed

Mechanically, almost nothing. The 2023 Type S carried over the same 3.0 liter turbocharged V6, the same 355 horsepower and 354 pound feet, the same 10 speed automatic, the same Super Handling All Wheel Drive, and the same adaptive air suspension as the launch year. There’s no reliable evidence that a 2023 drives any differently from a 2022, so treat any claim to the contrary with skepticism.

What Acura did add were a couple of ownership focused perks: AcuraLink connected services included for three years, and complimentary scheduled maintenance for two years or 24,000 miles. Those are worth knowing when comparing a 2022 with a 2023 on the used market, but they were ownership benefits rather than performance or technology upgrades. The Type S itself remained mechanically unchanged, so there is no meaningful performance advantage to choosing a 2023 over a 2022 simply because it is a newer model year.

2024 Acura MDX Type S: Why It Was Basically a Repeat

Edmunds’ own assessment of the 2024 MDX is direct: no significant changes. That holds for the Type S as well. The fourth generation platform, the 355 horsepower turbocharged V6, SH AWD, the adaptive air suspension, the Brembo brakes, and the 21 inch wheels all carried straight through from the prior two years without meaningful revision.

The technology experience stayed the same too, which means the pre 2025 True Touchpad Interface was still part of the package. If you’re shopping used and find a 2024 priced well under a comparable 2025, it’s worth serious consideration, because underneath the surface it’s the same vehicle Acura had been building since 2022, just a year closer to the eventual refresh.

2025 Acura MDX Type S: The Big Refresh

If one year actually moves the needle for buyers, this is it. Acura describes the 2025 update as an extensive refresh, and the changes back that up. This is the most significant update the Type S has received since its original launch.

Start with the exterior. Acura redesigned the front fascia around a more aggressive, open frame treatment of its Diamond Pentagon grille, paired with updated lighting and new wheel designs across the lineup. It’s a visual update rather than a structural one, but it does give the 2025 and later Type S a distinctly different face than the 2022 through 2024 SUVs.

The real story is inside the cabin. Acura finally retired the True Touchpad Interface in favor of a conventional 12.3 inch touchscreen, and this is the single change that matters most to actual owners day to day. A screen you can tap directly is simply quicker and less frustrating to use at a stoplight or while parking than a touchpad that requires you to look down and translate hand movements onto a separate display. Google built in arrived alongside it, and wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto came standard. The center console was also redesigned, adding improved storage, USB C ports, and a more accessible wireless charging pad.

Audio moved upmarket as well. A Bang and Olufsen sound system replaced the previous ELS setup across the lineup, and the range topping Type S Advance trim specifically received the 31 speaker Bang and Olufsen Ultra Sound System, not every 2025 MDX. The Type S Advance also gained additional premium equipment, including a head up display, 16 way power front seats with 9 way massaging function, heated outboard second row seats, a heated steering wheel, and a Surround View Camera.

Driver assistance saw a real update too. On the Type S Advance, AcuraWatch 360 added Active Lane Change Assist, Lane Change Collision Mitigation, and Front Cross Traffic Warning, supported by improved radar and camera hardware along with a steering wheel touch sensor to confirm driver engagement. Acura also worked on cabin refinement, adding extra insulation and laminated rear door glass to cut down on road noise.

None of this touched the engine. The 2025 Type S kept the same 3.0 liter turbocharged V6, the same 355 horsepower and 354 pound feet, the same 10 speed automatic, and the same SH AWD system introduced in 2022. Call it what it is: a major refresh, not a new generation. But for anyone who found the old touchpad genuinely frustrating to live with, and plenty of owners did, this is the update that makes the biggest practical difference of any year covered here.

2026 Acura MDX Type S: What’s New This Year

Not much, and that’s by design. The 2026 Type S continues the formula Acura introduced in 2025: the same 355 horsepower turbocharged V6, the same SH AWD and adaptive air suspension, the same Brembo brakes and 21 inch wheels, and the same 12.3 inch touchscreen, Google built in, and Bang and Olufsen audio direction that arrived the year before. The Type S Advance continues to offer the 31 speaker system and the full AcuraWatch 360 feature set.

Think of the 2026 as the latest version of the refreshed fourth generation Type S rather than a new chapter of its own. That raises a fair question for shoppers: is there a real reason to pick a 2026 over a 2025? If you are buying new and want the latest model year, the 2026 makes sense. But for value focused buyers, a 2025 offers essentially the same refresh, technology, and driving experience, often for less money. Without a major change unique to 2026, there is little reason to pay a significant premium for the newer model year alone.

Year by Year Comparison

Performance and the Driving Experience

Because the mechanical package hasn’t changed since 2022, it’s more useful to explain what it actually feels like than to repeat the spec sheet in every section. The turbocharged V6 gives the Type S noticeably stronger, more immediate acceleration than the standard MDX, and the 10 speed automatic shifts smoothly enough that you rarely think about it in daily driving. SH AWD is where the Type S earns its badge. It shuffles power to keep the SUV composed through corners in a way that feels more athletic than most three row family vehicles, and it pays dividends in wet or slippery conditions too.

The adaptive air suspension is tuned to split the difference between sporty and comfortable rather than picking one extreme, with Sport and Sport+ modes available for buyers who want sharper responses and Lift mode for extra clearance when needed. For the vast majority of owners, the default settings are the right call day to day. It’s worth setting expectations correctly: this isn’t the fastest SUV in its class, and Acura isn’t positioning it that way. The appeal is balanced performance and everyday practicality, not chasing the quickest lap time in the segment.

Comfort and Interior

Front and second row space is generous across every model year here, and the front seats in particular are highly adjustable with good support for longer drives. The second row reclines and slides, and its center section can be removed entirely to create a pass through to the cargo area, which comes in handy for skis or other long, narrow items. A push button release on the second row also makes getting back to the third row less of a chore than in some rivals.

The third row is tighter, which is typical for the segment, and it’s a better fit for children or shorter trips than for adults on a long road trip. Materials throughout the cabin reflect the fourth generation’s more upscale direction, with better trim quality than the model it replaced. Visibility is good, and a surround view camera is available depending on trim and year. Ride quality stays composed without feeling harsh, and the cabin is reasonably quiet overall, though independent testing has found it a touch louder inside than some direct competitors.

Technology and Infotainment

The clearest dividing line in this vehicle’s history falls right at 2025, and it’s worth understanding why that matters even when the mechanical hardware underneath is nearly identical.

Through 2022, 2023, and 2024, Type S buyers got the True Touchpad Interface alongside wireless smartphone integration and an available ELS audio system. From 2025 onward, that changes to a conventional 12.3 inch touchscreen, Google built in, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Bang and Olufsen audio, with the 31 speaker system reserved for the Type S Advance. Driver assistance also took a real step forward on the Type S Advance with AcuraWatch 360.

For a used buyer trying to decide between a bargain 2023 or 2024 and a pricier 2025, this is the section that should weigh most heavily. The driving experience is nearly the same either way, but daily usability behind the wheel is genuinely different.

Cargo Space and Practicality

The MDX offers 16.3 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row, 39.1 cubic feet behind the second row, and approximately 71.4 cubic feet with the rear rows folded in the commonly cited configuration. This cargo architecture is shared across the MDX lineup rather than unique to the Type S. Underfloor storage and large door bins add to everyday usefulness, and a properly equipped AWD Type S can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Fuel Economy

The EPA rates the MDX Type S at approximately 17 miles per gallon city, 21 highway, and 19 combined. That combined figure is lower than some non Type S MDX configurations, so it’s worth being precise here: the 19 combined rating is specific to the Type S and its performance oriented tuning, not the broader MDX lineup. Real world fuel economy will vary depending on driving conditions, traffic, weather, terrain, and driving style, as it does with any vehicle. This isn’t a fuel efficient SUV by class standards, and Acura doesn’t market it as one, so buyers should go in with realistic expectations rather than assuming best case numbers.

Value and Equipment

The Type S carries a real premium over the standard MDX, and that premium buys genuine hardware, not just badging: the adaptive air suspension, Brembo brakes, and the stronger turbocharged engine, along with a well equipped cabin that can include premium seating, available massage functionality, and a head up display depending on trim and year. Against several European rivals, the MDX Type S combines that performance hardware, three row practicality, and luxury equipment at a generally competitive price point.

The honest question for shoppers isn’t whether the Type S is well equipped. It clearly is. It’s whether the performance upgrade over a standard MDX is something you’ll actually notice and use, because that’s really what the premium is paying for. On the used market, actual pricing will depend heavily on mileage, condition, service history, trim, location, and current market conditions, so treat any general guidance here as a starting point rather than a rule.

Which Acura MDX Type S Model Year Should You Buy?

If you specifically want the original Type S and value the significance of being first, 2022 is the right call.

A 2023 is worth considering when it’s priced attractively, especially if its condition and mileage are better than the alternatives you’re cross shopping. Just remember it’s mechanically almost identical to a 2022.

2024 is potentially one of the better used value choices if it’s priced significantly below a comparable 2025, since it’s still fundamentally the same pre refresh Type S underneath.

For many buyers, 2025 offers the best overall balance. It’s the year that introduced the touchscreen, Google built in, Bang and Olufsen audio, and the updated driver assistance features on Type S Advance models, which are exactly the things you’ll notice on a daily basis.

2026 makes the most sense for someone buying new who wants the newest available Type S. Just compare its price carefully against a 2025, since the underlying vehicle is very similar and the savings on a 2025 can be substantial.

Keep in mind that used vehicle pricing depends on mileage, condition, service history, trim, location, and market conditions at the time, so treat all of this as general guidance rather than a fixed price rule.

How the MDX Type S Stacks Up Against Its Rivals

The Type S competes in a group that includes the BMW X5, BMW X7, Audi Q7, Mercedes Benz GLE, Volvo XC90, and the newer Lexus TX. These aren’t all direct, one to one equivalents. They differ from each other, and from the MDX, in size, configuration, and price, so the comparison is more useful for understanding positioning than as a spec for spec matchup.

Acura’s pitch in this group centers on combining genuine SH AWD performance hardware and a well equipped cabin with a generally competitive price point relative to comparably equipped European alternatives. Buyers who prioritize badge prestige may still lean toward BMW or Audi, but anyone focused on performance for the money and long term ownership costs will find the MDX Type S a serious option worth cross shopping.

FAQ

Which year of the Acura MDX Type S is the best?

We would pick the 2025. It has the same 355 horsepower turbo V6 and SH AWD system as the earlier models, but the cabin finally gets the touchscreen and newer technology that the 2022 through 2024 models were missing. The 2026 is also a good choice, but there is not enough difference between it and the 2025 to make the newer model an obvious upgrade.

What changed on the Acura MDX Type S from 2022 to 2026?

The Type S itself did not change much mechanically. Acura introduced it in 2022 with the 3.0 liter turbocharged V6, adaptive air suspension, SH AWD, and Brembo brakes, then carried most of that hardware through 2026. The real turning point was 2025, when Acura replaced the touchpad system with a 12.3 inch touchscreen, added Google built in, upgraded the audio system, and brought in more advanced safety features.

Is an older MDX Type S still a good buy?

Absolutely, if you find the right one at the right price. A 2022, 2023, or 2024 does not suddenly feel outdated from behind the wheel. You still get the same basic Type S hardware and 355 horsepower. What you give up is mostly the newer cabin technology. If that does not bother you, saving several thousand dollars on an earlier model can make a lot of sense.

How much gas does the Acura MDX Type S use?

The Type S is rated at 17 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. That is about what we would expect from a three row SUV with a turbocharged V6 and this much performance hardware. It is not going to win any fuel economy awards, so fuel costs are something worth considering before buying one.

Why choose the MDX Type S instead of a regular MDX?

This is really about how you want the SUV to feel. The regular MDX is perfectly capable, but the Type S adds a much stronger V6, SH AWD, adaptive air suspension, Brembo brakes, and a sportier chassis setup. You still get three rows and everyday practicality, but there is considerably more personality when you get behind the wheel. For us, that is the main reason to spend extra on the Type S.