In the middle of its third generation, the 2017 Acura MDX has received a facelift. Acura, the premium automotive brand of the Honda Motor Company, has been selling cars in the US since the 1992 model year. The MDX was the first genuine Acura crossover SUV, appearing in its first generation from 2001 through 2006 (Oh, sure, there was the SLX from 1996 to 1999, but that was just a tarted-up Isuzu Trooper). Acura proudly proclaims that MDX was the first crossover SUV to come with three rows of seating, a feature that has continued until today.
The MDX may not be the halo vehicle of the Acura lineup—that distinction goes to the NSX, the sexy supercar. It may not be the flagship, either—that’s the RLX, the tech-loaded sedan. But the MDX is definitely the leader of the pack, consistently outselling every other Acura model by a healthy margin for years, remaining steadfastly ahead of the RDX compact crossover.