High-speed sweeping turns, rain-soaked city streets or snowy mountain roads – no matter what the conditions, the MDX’s surefooted 4-wheel independent suspension, Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering, Agile Handling Assist, Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) and 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS are ready to master them.
The fine balance between a luxurious ride and athletic handling is calibrated by the MDX’s specially tuned suspension bushings, Amplitude Reactive Dampers and the Electric Power Steering tuning, which optimizes both low-speed steering effort and high-speed steering feel. As a result, in all trim levels, from the base FWD model to the range-topping SH-AWD with Advance Package, the 2017 MDX is supremely easy to drive while instilling a high degree of driver confidence. (See Safety and Driver Assistive sections for more information.)
Key Chassis Features
MDX
- 4-wheel independent suspension
- Amplitude Reactive Dampers
- Vibration-Damping Subframes
- Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering
- Agile Handling Assist
- 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and Brake Assist
- Electric Parking Brake
- Trailer Stability Assist (with SH-AWD)
- Aluminum alloy wheels
- High-performance all-season tires
- 5,000-lb towing capability (with SH-AWD and optional tow package)
MDX with Technology and Advance Packages
- 20-inch high-performance all-season tires
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension
The MDX’s independent front and rear suspension systems are engineered to provide long wheel travel and excellent compliance for a luxurious ride, together with the precise damping and spring rates needed for excellent handling and a sporty driving feel.
Front Suspension
In front is a strut-type system with forged-aluminum lower control arms with hydraulic bushings, coil springs and a solid stabilizer bar. This setup uses moderate spring rates, relatively firm damping and specially tuned bushings for a smooth, controlled ride with exceptional cornering abilities. The upper front damper mounts provide a “triple path” load-bearing system that helps absorb road vibration and harshness.Rear Suspension
At the rear is a compact multi-link design with a tubular stabilizer bar. This multi-link system allows a generous amount of wheel travel and excellent compliance for a supple ride, together with confident cornering and handling. All rear suspension control arms are steel — including high-strength steel upper and lower control arms. The MDX’s rear suspension design allows for a low floor, providing easier third-row ingress and egress.
Amplitude Reactive Dampers
Amplitude Reactive Dampers provide superior ride comfort and handling in all driving conditions. The dampers have two separate hydraulic circuits — one tuned to optimize the ride quality on smooth roads with relatively small irregularities, and the other tuned to handle large inputs resulting from rough roads or large steering and braking inputs. As a result, the MDX remains smooth and supple when cruising, and secure and tight feeling in corners with reduced body roll.
The key Amplitude Reactive Damper technology consists of two separate damping pistons: a main piston and a second piston. To improve overall ride comfort, when smaller inputs occur during normal driving conditions, only the main piston works to provide the ideal damping characteristics. To improve the MDX’s ride and handling on rougher surfaces and during more aggressive driving, the second piston operates to provide additional damping force.
The Amplitude Reactive Dampers are a purely mechanical system that does not require electronic controls. Altogether, they provide a much wider range of effective damping performance than offered by the previous base MDX.
Vibration-Damping Subframes
The MDX’s engine, transmission and suspension components are mounted on rigid steel subframes. These subframes attach to the unit body at rubber-isolated mounting points that help keep powertrain and road noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) out of the passenger cabin. The subframe rear mounts are filled with specially tuned hydraulic fluid for maximum effectiveness. Permanently sealed, they require no scheduled maintenance. The rear subframe is particularly sophisticated, with hydroformed side elements for maximum strength and minimal weight. See Body section for more information.
Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering
The MDX’s Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) system helps enhance fuel efficiency by putting less demand on the engine, compared to engine-driven hydraulic-boost systems. At low speeds, EPS lowers steering effort, improving driver comfort and convenience in city driving and while maneuvering. The system also provides a precision road feel while cornering, along with a firmer and sportier feel on the highway.
The MDX’s standard Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) adjusts steering effort depending on the selected mode — Normal, Comfort or Sport. In Normal mode, the steering effort is balanced between comfortable and sporty. Selecting the Comfort mode eases steering effort for a more relaxed driving experience, especially at low speeds. The Sport mode provides a firmer steering feel with higher effort that complements more aggressive driving.
Motion-Adaptive EPS works with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®) and Electric Power Steering to detect instability in low traction conditions (both during cornering and under braking) and automatically initiates steering inputs aimed at prompting the driver to steer in the correct direction. This technology supports the driver’s action in operating the vehicle more safely and comfortably.
The Motion-Adaptive EPS system consists of a rack-and-pinion steering gear with an electric motor located next to the pinion axle. To control the level of assist the Powertrain Control Module receives signals from a speed sensor and, coupled with a steering sensor for torque and rotation, calculates the optimal amount of assist and sends a signal to the electric motor.
When compared to the operation of a conventional hydraulic-pump power steering system, Motion-Adaptive EPS increases efficiency because it does not draw a continuous amount of power directly from the engine. Other advantages of electric power-assisted steering include its simplicity, its lower power consumption (which helps improve fuel efficiency), and its compactness (and resulting lower overall weight).
Agile Handling Assist
Standard on all MDX trims, Agile Handling Assist selectively uses the vehicle’s brakes to improve initial turning response and overall cornering ability. Agile Handling Assist utilizes brake vectoring to improve corner traceability and confident handling feel. By applying braking force to the inside wheels during cornering at high lateral G, the system creates a yaw moment, thus generating more turning force and reducing understeer.
Four-Wheel Disc Braking System with Electronic Brake Distribution
The MDX has 4-wheel disc brakes with a 4-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) for a powerful and linear brake feel, and confident stops in a wide range of driving conditions. The ventilated front discs are 12.6 inches in diameter and use two-piston calipers, while the solid rear discs are 13.0 inches in diameter and have single-piston calipers. The calipers are designed to reduce brake drag when not in use, reducing rolling resistance and improving fuel efficiency in the process.
ABS with Brake Assist
An Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) independently modulates braking power at each wheel to help the driver retain steering control during heavy braking, while Brake Assist recognizes hard or emergency braking situations and almost instantly applies full braking force when appropriate. (See Safety and Driver Assistive section for more information.)
Electric Parking Brake
Included in all MDX trims for 2017, the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) makes using the parking brake easier and more comfortable, promoting its use by drivers. Actuating the parking brake is now as simple as pushing a switch on the center console. To release the parking brake, the driver simply puts the car in gear and presses on the accelerator pedal. In addition to being simpler and more convenient to use than a traditional parking brake, the new Electric Parking Brake makes hill starts easier when the MDX is parked on a grade. As with a traditional manually activated parking brake, EPB functions on the rear wheels only.
Trailer Stability Assist
Standard on SH-AWD models, Trailer Stability Assist helps enhance vehicle stability while a trailer is being towed. An integral part of Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Trailer Stability Assist detects trailer oscillations that can result from improper loading, excessive speed, adverse road conditions, crosswinds or emergency-avoidance maneuvers.
When such oscillations are detected, Trailer Stability Assist provides a warning and gives the driver the opportunity to reduce speed. If the driver does not reduce speed — or does not reduce speed sufficiently to stabilize the vehicle — then VSA automatically activates to help damp the oscillations before they can increase and further upset the stability of the vehicle and trailer.
Aluminum Alloy Wheels
The range of available wheels on the 2017 MDX has been improved to include standard 18- and available 20-inch sizes, an upgrade from the 2016 MDX’s standard 18- and available 19-inch wheel sizes.
Advance 20-inch wheel design
Base 18-inch wheel design
Base MDX models (FWD and SH-AWD) have stylish 5-spoke 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, with a machine finish. Included with the Technology Package is 10-spoke, 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a machine finish, while the Advance and Entertainment Package 20-inch wheels have a 5-spoke design and machine finish. In addition, 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels are available as an accessory for the base MDX.
High-Performance All-Season Tires
Base MDX models (FWD and SH-AWD) have 245/60 R18 105H high-performance all-season tires, while the MDX with Technology and Advance Packages have lower-profile 245/50 R20 102H high-performance all-season tires for enhanced driving performance. All tires offer precise steering feel, high levels of grip in all-season driving conditions, and low rolling resistance for greater fuel efficiency.
For MDX SH-AWD models only, a T165/80D17 temporary spare tire on a 17×4.0-inch steel wheel is mounted below the trunk, where it does not intrude on interior storage space. All MDX FWD models receive a tire sealant and inflator kit in lieu of a spare wheel and tire.
Off-Road Capability
Engineers took thorough measures to develop the 2017 MDX with useful off-road capabilities, including testing in snow, mud and sand. The available computer-controlled SH-AWD system helps the MDX meet typical off-road challenges without the need for low-range gears. The system is designed for “decision free” operation, meaning that the driver does not need to actively choose when to engage all-wheel-drive. The system is always active and ready to distribute torque as needed. See the Powertrain section for more information.
Ground clearance and approach, breakover and departure angles are configured for typical SUV driving conditions including dirt and gravel roads, mud and snow. These specifications mirror those on the 2014 to 2016 MDX.
Trailer Hitch and Trailer Hitch ATF Cooler Kit
The MDX’s optional receiver-style trailer hitch accommodates a variety of trailer coupler designs, and includes a draw bar, retaining pin, clip, and wiring harness with 7-pin round-style connector. Hitch balls are available separately in 1-7/8 -inch or 2-inch diameters. The optional Trailer Hitch ATF Cooler Kit will allow towing of up to 5,000 lbs. (SH-AWD).
Key Chassis Features