Some vehicles blend quietly into traffic. The 2026 Acura MDX SH-AWD Type S Advance does the exact opposite. Finished in brilliant Double Apex Blue Pearl over a vivid red leather interior, Acura’s high-performance luxury SUV practically demands attention wherever it goes. But the bold colors are only the opening act. Under the hood sits a 355-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, and once that engine wakes up, the MDX Type S transforms from stylish family hauler into something far more entertaining: a three-row SUV with sports-sedan reflexes that makes driving genuinely fun again.
That performance personality defines the experience behind the wheel.
The MDX Type S pairs its turbocharged V6 with a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Acura’s renowned Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, better known as SH-AWD. Step into the throttle and the Acura surges forward with authority, delivering the kind of quick acceleration that turns freeway on-ramps into short sprints rather than gradual merges.
“Quick” hardly captures it. The MDX Type S accelerates with confidence while remaining composed and balanced. The 0 to 60 mph speed for this one is 5.5 seconds. EPA cites fuel economy at 17 city, 21, highway and 19 combined.
Helping keep everything under control are front Brembo brake calipers and a sophisticated adaptive air suspension with auto-leveling, a combination that gives the Acura an impressive blend of performance and ride comfort.
Colorado test drive
I spent several days driving the MDX around familiar Colorado routes, including loops through city streets and scenic stops at some of the Mile High City’s favorite landmarks for photographs.
My longtime chief lieutenant test driver, Roger Adams, joined me for part of the drive and quickly came away impressed.
“This thing just hugs the road,” Adams said after taking a turn behind the wheel. “Itap quick, but it never feels nervous.”
That balance is part of what makes the MDX Type S so appealing. Even though it is a full three-row SUV, it drives with a level of precision that feels closer to a sport sedan than a family hauler.
One of our stops during the test drive included dinner at the famed El Tejado, the popular South Broadway Mexican restaurant between Yale and Harvard that has been a Denver favorite for years. Parked along the street outside, the vivid blue MDX Type S looked almost electric against the city backdrop, drawing more than a few second glances from people walking by.
Clearly, Acura’s styling team knows how to make a visual impression.
Luxury meets technology
Inside, the MDX Type S Advance leans heavily into technology and comfort.
The cabin features Acura’s Precision Cockpit digital instrument panel along with a 12.3-inch center touchscreen that anchors the dashboard. Built-in Google integration, Amazon Alexa capability, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a Wi-Fi hotspot ensure drivers and passengers stay connected on the road.
But the real showstopper inside the Acura is the sound system.
The Bang & Olufsen Ultra Sound system with 31 speakers transforms the cabin into a rolling concert hall. Whether listening to music or a podcast during a Colorado commute, the sound clarity is remarkable.
Comfort is equally impressive. The perforated Milano leather sport seats with Ultrasuede inserts include heating, ventilation and nine-mode massage functions for both front occupants. Second-row passengers are treated to heated seats and sunshades, while tri-zone climate control keeps everyone comfortable.
Add in a panoramic moonroof, heated steering wheel, head-up display and ambient interior lighting, and the MDX begins to feel more like a luxury lounge on wheels than a typical SUV.
Safety and driver assistance
Acura equips the MDX Type S Advance with an extensive suite of safety technology under the AcuraWatch 360 system.
Among the features included are:
• Adaptive cruise control
• Collision mitigation braking
• Lane keeping assist
• Lane departure warning
• Active lane change assist
• Traffic sign recognition
• Low-speed braking control
• Surround-view camera system
The SUV also includes multiple airbags, vehicle stability assist, anti-lock braking and front-and-rear parking sensors.
Price and value
The 2026 Acura MDX Type S Advance carries a base price of $75,850.
The Double Apex Blue Pearl paint adds $600, bringing the total price of the test vehicle to $77,900 MSRP.
That places the MDX squarely in the premium performance SUV category, but Acura delivers a substantial amount of technology, performance and luxury equipment for the price.
The bottom line
In a market filled with SUVs designed primarily for practicality, the Acura MDX Type S Advance stands apart.
Itap practical, yes. But itap also fast, comfortable and genuinely enjoyable to drive.
And on Colorado roads, where the mountains always seem to invite drivers to keep going just a little farther, the MDX Type S feels right at home.
Email: timwjacksoncae@gmail.com
Phone: 303-667-3995
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this postap preparation.
