Reviewing the 2026 Acura MDX Type S SH-AWD Advance
|
Posted By: Randi Payton on May 21, 2026 The 2026 Acura MDX Type S SH-AWD stands out in the three-row luxury SUV segment. While others in the class focus on luxury, the Acura MDX has become a practical family vehicle with great performance. I spent a week with the top-tier Type S Advance, and I can tell you: if you need to carry passengers, kids, and cargo, this ride is for you. There are no significant upgrades this year, since the 2026 Acura MDX received a major refresh last year. However, the price of the Type S Advance increased by $600, and two new colors were added, including Solar Silver Metallic and Double Apex Blue. A rear seat belt reminder is now standard, and the Type S features a subtle tailpipe diffuser and darker lighting elements. Power/Performance: The Type S is equipped with a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine that delivers 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 60 in approximately 5.5 seconds. Meanwhile, the standard MDX produces 290 horsepower from a 3.5-liter V6. It handles excellently thanks to the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) chassis, which actively powers the outside rear wheel during cornering, literally pulling you through the turn. It is paired with the adaptive air suspension (standard on Type S Advance) and massive Brembo front brakes, and this 4,500-pound SUV feels smaller than it looks. Interior/Exterior: The Type S design is aggressive without drawing too much attention. The "Diamond Pentagon" grille is bordered by standard Jewel Eye LED headlights. Other design features include 21-inch wheels, larger exhaust outlets, and subtle "Type S" badging. The interior atmosphere is sporty, featuring plush Milano leather, contrast stitching, and open-pore wood trim. The bolstered seats keep you secure during sharp turns while also providing heating, ventilation, and massage. The dashboard features a sharp 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google built in, making Google Maps the default navigation. It far surpasses clunky proprietary systems. The test vehicle came with the "Advance" package that featured a Bang & Olufsen audio system with 19 speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with Google, and a 10.5-inch head-up display. Fuel Economy: Let’s be real. A three-row luxury SUV with a turbocharged six-cylinder that produces 355 horsepower will not deliver hybrid-like efficiency. According to the EPA, the Type S is rated at 17 city/21 highway MPG, and 19 combined MPG. City/Highway: This is where the air suspension proves its worth. In Comfort mode, the MDX smoothly handles expansion joints and potholes, while a 360-degree camera system makes parking a breeze. However, driving on the highway is the MDX Type S’s natural setting. At 75 mph, it remains impressively quiet, and the SH-AWD system guarantees stable lane changes. Safety: My favorite addition to the Type S is AcuraWatch, a suite of safety features that make driving safe and stress-free. It includes: Active Lane Change Assist - Hit the turn signal, and the car smoothly merges for you; Traffic Jam Assist—In stop-and-go traffic, the car manages steering, gas, and brakes; and Front Cross Traffic Warning—Essential for pulling out of tight, blind parking spots. Standard features across the board include Collision Mitigation Braking and Blind Spot Information. Visit Decisive Media Network for a complimentary subscription to my auto blog, where you can find updated car-buying tips and reviews on new cars, SUVs, and trucks. Randi Payton, Decisive Media Network. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Randi Payton
Entrepreneurial Journalism Instructor, Multimedia Training Institute University of the District of Columbia class of 1982 Member Since December 2020 |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest Blogs
 |
How AI systems will outpace and replace traditional search engines globallyA futuristic digital interface showing AI systems analyzing global data streams, signifying Artificial Intelligence as a dominant search engine tool
Technology has always evolved faster than hu ...more
Joel Savage • 44 Views • October 15th, 2026 |
 |
Ole 30 EnrollmentTimber and Lumber specialist stay engaged, enlisted, and enrolled as scholar investment ! ...more
reginal schenck • 66 Views • October 14th, 2026 |
 |
Why the world focuses on Congo’s minerals while Ebola intensifiesPhoto: A Congolese health worker in protective gear walking through an Ebola treatment zone in eastern Congo, illustrating the worsening outbreak and global neglect.
The Ebola crisis in the Democra ...more
Joel Savage • 95 Views • October 14th, 2026 |
 |
The threat of global food insecurity amid wars and the Straits of Hormuz crisisAn image of a cargo ship navigating a tense maritime route where blocked passages threaten global food supply chains, highlighting rising insecurity.
In recent years, the world has entered a dan ...more
Joel Savage • 85 Views • October 14th, 2026 |
 |
Monday motivation: Resetting the mindset to boost productivityA focused lady organizing her workspace on a Monday morning in the office.
Mondays carry a strange kind of power. They arrive whether we are ready or not, quietly reminding us that life is moving f ...more
Joel Savage • 127 Views • October 12th, 2026 |
Popular Blogs
 |
Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Join Brother Marcus and the cast and the crew of the Brother Marcus Show live this Sunday evening on February 1, 2009 @ 8:00 p.m. for another hot topic in our community! “Divorce in America in 2009 ...more
Brother Marcus! • 75,470,512 Views • January 27th, 2009 |
 |
VISINE ALERT!!!Seemingly innocent medication such as Visine eyedrops are used by people to concoct a mixture with similar effects as a date-rape drug.
When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops can l ...more
Siebra Muhammad • 122,691 Views • May 23rd, 2009 |
 |
"Chain Hang Low" check out the real meaning of the Lyrics!Recently there is a new artist out of Saint Louis that goes by the name JIBBS. Jibbs debut single "Chain hang low" has a history that most people are not aware of. The particular nursery rhyme that th ...more
Tyhesha Judge-Fogle • 81,658 Views • November 9th, 2006 |
 |
HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing CardsVendor: Charles Jones
Item Price: $20.00
Price Includes Shipping: Yes - Shipping Included
Item Description:
Pantheon Series - Divine 9 - Premium Playing Cards (choose Gold Series or Silve ...more
Hija Chang • 64,708 Views • December 2nd, 2018 |
 |
Black College Student Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Kissing a White GirlAlbert N. Wilson, a former University of Kansas student, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison and a lifetime of probation after being convicted by an all-white jury of raping a white teen girl. Bu ...more
Roger Gates • 57,477 Views • June 4th, 2020 |
