As Acura’s flagship SUV, the MDX is replete with a wide range of standard and available comfort and convenience features. A Multi-Angle Rearview Camera is standard, and a newly available Surround-View Camera System comes standard with the Advance Package. For the ultimate in luxury passenger accommodations, second-row captain’s chairs are newly added for the Advance Package.
The Smart Entry Keyless Access System with front door and rear tailgate access is standard, and on the Technology Package and Advance grades, Smart Entry access is also added to the rear passenger doors. The 2017 MDX with Technology and Advance Package also adds offers remote engine start that can be activated with a range of at least 300 feet from the vehicle, allowing the vehicle to be pre-heated or pre-cooled and defrosted/defogged based on the customer’s preselected settings.
Key comfort and convenience features:
- NEW: Available Surround-View Camera System
- NEW: Available second-row Captain’s Chairs
- NEW: Capless Fueling System
- Smart Entry and Push Button Start/Stop
- Comfortable and supportive 6- or 7-passenger seating
- Euro-stitched leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Power Front Bucket Seats
- Third-row One-Touch Walk-In access
- GPS-Linked, Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Hill Start Assist
- Walk Away Door Lock
Smart Entry and Push Button Start/Stop
All 2017 MDX models offer the upscale convenience of Smart Entry and Push Button Start/Stop.
Smart Entry
The Smart Entry system simplifies approaching, entering and operating the MDX — especially when the driver has his or her hands full. To gain entry to vehicle, the driver simply pulls one of the two front door handles while the remote is in his or her possession.Push Button Start/Stop
Once the driver has opened the door and is seated, the driver simply pushes the START/STOP button positioned on the instrument panel while pressing the brake pedal to start the vehicle. Powertrain operation and certain electrical functions are ended when the START/STOP button is pressed again at the conclusion of the drive. For accessory mode the driver simply presses the START/STOP button without pressing the brake pedal.
Remote Engine Start
The MDX with the Technology Packages and above provides the ability to start the vehicle’s engine remotely. This enables drivers to start their MDX, thereby activating the climate control system before they get to the vehicle — perfect for hot or cold days. The remote is designed to have a range of operation of at least 300 feet. To start the engine remotely, the owner presses the LOCK button and then holds the ENGINE button for a few seconds. When the engine is started remotely, the wipers, lighting and audio systems remain off, and the security system remains set. The engine will run for up to 10 minutes after remote starting, and then shut off automatically if the owner doesn’t reach the vehicle within that time. When the owner does get to the MDX within 10 minutes, the engine will keep running while the owner unlocks the vehicle and gets in. The default 10 minute time limit can be extended an additional 10 minutes, if desired.
This system also provides feedback to the owner to confirm whether the engine is running or the vehicle is locked. The remote has three LED indicators: amber, green and red. To confirm engine start, the owner presses the LOCK button and then holds the ENGINE button for a few seconds. The amber indicator will flash while the remote communicates with the vehicle. If the engine is running, the green LED will then light for one second. If the engine is not running, the red indicator will light for one second. To verify whether the vehicle is locked, the owner presses the LOCK button once. After the amber light comes on, either the green or red LED will light for one second to indicate that the vehicle is locked or not, respectively. And if the red LED flashes three times, the vehicle is out of the remote’s range.
This system can provide owners with the comfort of a pre-warmed vehicle on a cold winter morning — or a pre-cooled interior on hot days. Plus, it adds the convenience and confidence of knowing that their vehicle is securely locked, even far beyond the range of a typical remote.
Locking
After parking, a press of the LOCK button on the remote will simultaneously lock all the doors and tailgate. A touch of the soft-touch lock button on either front door handle locks all doors and tailgate to secure the MDX. The system will not allow the remote to be locked in the interior of the MDX.
Walk Away Door Lock
The new Walk Away Door Lock feature automatically locks the MDX when the driver leaves the vehicle. This hands-free locking capability adds everyday convenience that’s especially useful when the driver has his or her hands full or is distracted. In typical use, when all doors are closed and the driver walks away, the MDX will automatically lock when the key holder’s distance from the vehicle exceeds 6.5 feet for two seconds or more and when no other key is detected inside the vehicle. An audible buzzer sounds and the hazard lights flash to confirm that the vehicle has locked. The Walk Away Door Lock feature is programmable, and may be turned on or off as the driver prefers.
Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
The leather-wrapped steering wheel features euro-style stitching and incorporates the most commonly used controls, allowing the driver to keep their hands on the wheel. Phone and audio controls are on the left side; cruise control and multi-info display controls are on the right side, along with the switches for Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow. Tucked out of view but within fingertip reach is a pair of paddle shifters that allow for manual operation of the Sequential SportShift 9-speed automatic transmission.
Heated Steering Wheel
The MDX with Advance Package offers the comfort of a standard heated steering wheel. A heating switch mounted on the lower left side of the steering wheel can be activated when the ignition is switched on, and is also integrated to the Remote Engine Start System for automated heating when appropriate. Acura Genuine Accessories also offers an optional heated steering wheel for other MDX models.
Power Front Bucket Seats
Considering the luxury mission and performance of the MDX, its seating required extensive engineering development. The front bucket seats are designed to provide comfortable support for a wide range of body types, along with secure lateral support for cornering. The MDX driver’s seat features 10-way power adjustability (8-way power seat plus 2-way power lumbar support). The front passenger seat offers 8-way power adjustability standard, with 10-way power adjustability available on the MDX with Advance and Entertainment Packages. All driver’s seat power adjustments are included in the Smart Entry system (among many other features). The system stores a pair of user profiles regarding seat settings — one for each of the two key fobs that come standard with the MDX.
Heated front seats are standard in the MDX. An algorithmically controlled ECU allows for three temperature settings, along with fast warm-up and smooth, precise temperature control. The Advance and Entertainment Packages include ventilated front seats.
Second-Row Seats with Extended Slide
The MDX’s roomy second-row seating is designed for maximum comfort and versatility, with a 60/40 split-folding design that makes it easy to accommodate passengers or long cargo. The second-row seats also have an Extended Slide feature that provides a total of 5.9 inches of fore-aft seat travel (3.9 inches forward, 2 inches rear), offering passengers great flexibility in selecting the optimal balance of second- and third-row legroom. A nearly flat floor opens up foot room for a center passenger. Five-position reclining second-row seatbacks further aid comfort for second- and third-row passengers. There is also a padded, folding center armrest with two cupholders. In the MDX with the Technology and Entertainment Package trim and above, second-row seat heaters are standard.
Second-Row Captain’s Chairs
The MDX with Advance Package offers the comfort and luxury of standard second-row Captain’s Chairs. Roomy and supportive, the captain’s chairs offer all-day comfort and upscale luxury. The second-row center console positioned between the captain’s chairs offers convenient utility, and features a pair of additional USB ports inside the console for the second row and two additional ports on the rear of the console for the third row. Like the standard second-row seats, the second-row captain’s chairs slide fore-and-aft, recline and offer One-Touch Walk-In access for the third row.
Third-Row Seats with One-Touch Walk-In Access
The MDX’s compact rear suspension, long wheelbase and One-Touch Walk-In feature provide easy access to the third row. Even young kids will find it easy to gain access to the MDX’s third-row seats from either side of the vehicle via the illuminated One-Touch Walk-In buttons — one button located outboard on the base of the second-row seats and a second button on the upper portion of the second-row seatback. With a single push of the electronically actuated button, the second-row seatback (left or right) folds forward and the seat automatically slides forward. To help reduce the risk of unintentional operation, the buttons will not operate unless the brake pedal is depressed or the gear selector is in Park.
HomeLink® Remote System
All MDX models feature a HomeLink® universal remote system, located in the overhead control panel, which works with nearly all garage door openers and gates systems, and an ever growing list of other radio frequency (RF)-controlled devices.
Driver Preferences
All MDX models come with two keyless remotes with unique identifiers. Each remote can be set with unique profiles to accommodate the individual preferences of two different drivers. The available preferences include driver seat and mirror positions, along with select HVAC functions. Other preferences include turning entry lights on or off, audio system pre-sets, air conditioning preferences, and navigation system settings. In the event both owners use the vehicle at the same time, the MDX will recognize the keyless remote that approaches the driver’s door first.
Capless Fueling System
The MDX ‘s new capless fueling eliminates the traditional fuel cap, meaning that fueling the vehicle simply requires opening the fuel lid, refueling, and then closing the lid. This smart and easy-to-use design eliminates the need to touch a dirty fuel cap, reduces the possibility of damaging the vehicle’s paint with the fuel cap or tether, or forgetting the fuel cap at the gas station. It also eliminates the possibility of activating an emissions warning by failing to properly reinstall the fuel cap.
The system consists of two integrated components, an outer shutter mechanism that prevents the intrusion of dirt and dust, and a self-sealing fueling flap that is closed by a torsion spring. Both operate automatically.
At a gas station, the driver simply opens the fuel lid and then inserts the fuel nozzle. Inserting the nozzle automatically opens the outer shutter and fueling flap. When fueling is complete, removing the fuel nozzle automatically closes both the fueling flap and outer shutter. See Exterior section for more information.
Hill Start Assist
The Hill Start Assist function helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when the driver switches from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is stopped on a hill. Hill Start Assist automatically activates when the vehicle senses a certain incline and is fully stopped in any forward gear when facing up hill or reverse gear when facing downhill. The system uses a longitudinal G-sensor along with a wheel speed sensor to control the hydraulic brake modulator. Hill Start Assist, when activated, will release the brakes when the driver depresses the throttle or if the driver doesn’t press the accelerator after a few seconds.
Auto High-Beam System
The MDX ‘s auto high-beam system, standard in the Advance Package, makes optimal use of the vehicle’s headlights. When the headlight switch is set in the Auto position, the system automatically illuminates the high beams until an integrated camera detects oncoming or proceeding traffic and automatically switches to low beams. See Exterior and Safety sections for more information.
Multi-Angle Rearview Camera
A multi-angle rearview camera is standard on the MDX. It offers three viewing angles (wide view, normal view and top view). Drivers may select the preferred view according to driving conditions. The rearview image is displayed on the 8-inch color audio/information display. On-screen guidelines help the driver better judge distances, and predictive guidelines help make maneuvering in reverse easier. See Exterior section for more information.
Surround-View Camera System
In the MDX with Advance Package, four exterior cameras provide a 360 view of the space immediately around the vehicle through the navigation display. A camera button among the nav display controls or an even more conveniently located button on the end of the turn signal lever changes camera views. See Exterior section for more information.
When Reverse is selected, the rear camera view appears on screen along with an overhead 360 view. Guidelines appear in each view, which correspond with the angle of the front wheels angle to show the vehicle’s predicted rearward path. A press of either camera button switches to show the rear view alone, and another press shows a wide-angle rear view.
Pressing either “Camera” button (when not in reverse) shows the 360 view combined with a front view that is ideal for putting the vehicle in the ideal position in the garage. Another button press provides a front wide-angle view that is useful for helping spot an approaching vehicle or person when nosing out a tight spot with a blocked side view. Additional views include looking ahead from both sides and just the passenger side view alone.
Rear camera display showing rear view (left) and surround view (right).
One-Touch Power Moonroof with Tilt Feature
The MDX features a power tilting and sliding front moonroof with a manual sunshade. To tilt or slide the moonroof, the driver or front passenger needs only to fully press the ceiling-mounted switch once (instead of pressing and holding it for several seconds). The moonroof fully opens or closes automatically. However, if the operator wishes to only partially open or close the moonroof (such as to achieve partial ventilation), a lighter touch yields fully manual control. The moonroof can also tilt to provide ventilation. An auto-reverse feature is built in, helping to mitigate the possibility of a pinched finger or limb. If the moonroof motor’s ECU detects a threshold level of mechanical resistance, indicating a possible obstruction, the motor will automatically reverse and reopen the moonroof. See Exterior section for more information.
Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control – GPS-Linked with Technology and Advance pkgs.
All MDX models feature a tri-zone automatic climate control system that lets the driver, front passenger and rear passengers set temperatures to their individual liking. Technology and Advance packages add a GPS-link for still better control of individual settings.
To operate the HVAC system, easy-to-read buttons and controls are positioned within easy reach. The HVAC system can also be controlled by voice command (MDX with Technology Package and higher grades), and additional custom settings can be accessed through the 7-inch On-Demand Multi-Use Display™.
With its position-sensing ability, the GPS navigation system (MDX with Technology Package and higher) contributes to overall passenger comfort with a 3D solar sensing feature. Based on continuously updated vehicle position information, the navigation system determines the position of the sun relative to the driver and front passenger. Combining this information with input from a solar sensor located on top of the instrument panel, the climate control system automatically adjusts cooling/heating and airflow from side to side as needed to compensate for asymmetrical solar heating. Further, on the Advance and Entertainment Packages, the heated and ventilated front seats are electronically linked to the climate control system, expediting the transition to the desired temperature.
Rear Sunshades
For increased rear-seat privacy, reduced solar loading and glare, the MDX (with Technology and Entertainment Packages and up) has manually operated sunshades for each rear door side window.
Comfort and Convenience Features