Features

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Safety & Security

 Optional
 Standard
Braking & Stability
Braking Systems*
Vehicle Stability Assist*
Tire Pressure Monitoring System*
Collision Mitigation
Collision Mitigation Braking System*
Collision Mitigation Braking System
Included in Advance Packages
Airbag System*
Seat Belts & Active Front Head Restraints*
Child Safety*
Body Structure Design*
Security
Security System*
View All Standard and
Available Equipment
Braking Systems
Standard Feature
Braking Systems

The MDX disc brakes are backed up by several sophisticated electronic systems to provide you with enhanced braking abilities under almost any circumstance.

  • The anti-lock braking system (ABS) helps you retain steering control when braking heavily by preventing the wheels from locking up, while allowing them to achieve their maximum level of stopping power.
  • The Electronic Brake Distribution system uses the ABS system to direct braking power among the four wheels, depending on their load, to help optimize braking effectiveness.
  • The Brake Assist system detects emergency braking from the driver by monitoring the speed at which the brake pedal is depressed and stepping in to ensure the ABS system is activated—terminating immediately upon release of the brake pedal.
Vehicle Stability Assist
Standard Feature
Vehicle Stability Assist
View Video Running Time: 0:44 Size: 6.8MB

The Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) system uses an array of sensors, along with ABS, and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®), to reduce the dangers of oversteer or understeer.12

  • VSA continually monitors vehicle speed, throttle position, individual wheel speeds, steering angle and vehicle yaw rate.
  • If potential oversteer or understeer is detected, the system will first use SH-AWD to redirect power among the front wheels and each of the rear wheels to maintain stability.
  • If using SH-AWD is insufficient, the system will reduce engine torque and uses the anti-lock braking system (ABS) to apply brakes to each wheel as needed, to help stabilize the vehicle.
  • VSA interacts with the Active Damper System on equipped models. When called upon by the VSA, the Active Damper System will shift to a suspension setting that maximizes traction until VSA disengages.
  • In all cases, VSA response is so quick that the instability may be corrected before the driver even knows it’s occurring.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Standard Feature
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
View Video Running Time: 0:37 Size: 5.6MB

Since an under-inflated tire impedes handling and can be a safety hazard, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) uses pressure sensors mounted in each wheel that send readings to a central electronic control unit. The system then evaluates whether the pressure is in an acceptable range.

  • If a reading is significantly below the recommended level, the MDX will alert the driver through the Multi-Information Display (MID) located on the instrument panel.
  • The problem tire will be indicated, along with the individual pressure for all four tires.
  • The pressure display can be accessed anytime, using the MID controls on the steering wheel.
  • As useful as TMPS is, it is still recommended that you manually check your tires on a regular basis.
Collision Mitigation Braking System
Advance Package
Collision Mitigation Braking System

To help reduce the likelihood of a frontal impact, the Advance Package includes the Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™).

  • Powered by a radar transmitter mounted in the MDX grille, a signal is constantly transmitted and the return signal is evaluated, determining the distance and closing speed of detected objects that lie directly ahead.
  • If a collision is possible, the system will sound audio and visual alerts to warn the driver.
  • If the driver does not take action to reduce speed, the CMBS will automatically tug at the driver’s seat belt and begin light braking.
  • When the system senses that a frontal collision is unavoidable, and even if no prior alerts have been given, the front seat belts tighten, and strong braking is automatically applied to help reduce the impact velocity and collision force.
  • The goal of the CMBS system is to alert the driver to apply the brakes. It is not alone expected to brake the vehicle sufficiently to avoid a collision.
Airbag System
Standard Feature
Airbag System

The MDX is equipped with a sophisticated six-airbag system, which includes two front airbags, two front-side airbags, and two side curtain airbags that provide coverage for all three rows of outboard seats. The systems are designed so that the airbags can deploy at the right time with the appropriate force.

  • The front airbags are equipped with two-stage, multiple-threshold inflators. One or both airbags will be deployed only in the event of a sufficient frontal impact. If deployed, these airbags are capable of being inflated at different rates depending on crash severity, seat belt usage and/or other factors. Frontal airbags are designed to supplement the seat belts to help reduce the likelihood of head and upper body injuries in frontal crashes.
  • The Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) uses sensors in the front passenger seatback to determine the height and position of the passenger and will deactivate the side airbag if it detects that a child or small-statured adult is in the side airbag deployment path.
  • In a side impact, side curtain airbags deploy downward from the side edge of the headliner on the impacted side to help protect outboard occupants in all three rows of seats.
Seat Belts & Active Front Head Restraints
Standard Feature
Seat Belts & Active Front Head Restraints

All seven seating positions in the MDX have 3-point belts and head restraints. The front seats have load-limiting tensioners and active head restraints.

  • The front seats’ automatic tensioning belts react in the first milliseconds of an impact to automatically tighten the belts and help hold the individual in position against the seatback.
  • To help prevent the automatic tensioning belt from causing undue pressure on the chest, load limiters slightly relieve belt tension, as needed, to help soften the force.
  • In a rear-end collision, a front seat occupant’s body will be pushed against the seatback, and the pressure to the seatback is transmitted from the lumbar plate, pushing the head restraint upward and forward to reduce the gap between the occupant’s head and the head restraint.
  • Impact forces on the neck and spine are diminished, helping reduce the likelihood of whiplash injuries.
Child Safety
Standard Feature
Child Safety

The MDX has several features addressing child safety, from sophisticated airbag sensors to anchors that secure child seats.

  • The Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) utilizes sensors in the front passenger's seatback to detect if the occupant is a child or small-statured adult.
  • The passenger front-side airbag will deactivate if a child or a small-statured adult is leaning into the airbag deployment path.
  • LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) anchors plus upper-tether anchors in the rear seat allow LATCH-compatible child seats to be installed in the outboard positions without the use of seat belts.
  • All windows and the moonroof have an auto-reverse feature that prevents them from closing if a finger or other similar obstacle is encountered.
Body Structure Design
Standard Feature
Body Structure Design
View Video Running Time: 0:49 Size: 7.8MB
 

Acura utilizes Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure to enhance occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal crashes.

  • The ACE™ design utilizes a network of connected structural elements to distribute crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle.
  • This enhanced frontal crash energy management helps to reduce the forces transferred to the passenger compartment and can help to more evenly disperse the forces transferred to other vehicles in a crash.
Security System
Standard Feature
Security System

Like every Acura model, the MDX comes equipped with a security system. In the event of a break-in, the following events will occur:

  • The ignition will be disabled.
  • The horn will sound.
  • The lights will flash.