When Acura introduced the TLX Type S, a sporty take on the brand’s largest and most popular sedan, no one expected it to be cheap. And as it turned out, the Type S treatment drove the TLX’s price up about $15,000, from $38,545 (including a $1,045 destination charge) to at least $53,345. When the 2022 Acura MDX Type S arrives later this year, it will receive an even bigger price hike.
In a press release, the Japanese automaker announced the sportiest version of the MDX will retail “in the high-$60,000 range.” That means adding the Type S treatment to the three-row crossover could add up to $20,000 to the $48,245 base price. That simple math only tells part of the story, though.
On the TLX, for example, the Type S trim only costs $6,050 of the $15,000 increase. The rest comes from prerequisites – the $2,000 Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, the $4,000 Technology package, and the $2,750 A-Spec package are all mandatory additions. It’s likely the MDX Type S will follow a similar format, but the premium seems more dramatic because both the Technology pack and A-Spec pack cost more money on the crossover ($4,700 and $3,500, respectively). Considering those pricier option groups, it’s likely the actual Type S package will cost a bit more than on the TLX too. Still, the enhancements should help soften the blow.
The MDX Type S replaces the standard model’s 3.5-liter V6 with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, kicking the output up from 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet (216 kilowatts and 362 Newton-meters) of torque to 355 hp and 354 lb-ft (264 kW and 480 Nm). That’s nothing to sneeze at, but the Type S treatment also boasts a revised 10-speed automatic transmission, adaptive dampers, and a new Sport Plus driving mode. Brembo-sourced brakes clamp down on larger front rotors and wear flashy red paint, too.
Is This Your Type?
Speaking of aesthetic upgrades, the Diamond Pentagon grille lets more air in and sits above a new front splitter. Along with those touches, substantial intakes sit at either corner of the fascia to help with cooling. A rear diffuser and fat quad exhaust pipes sit out back, while a set of standard 21-inch wheels complete the Type S’ exterior package. In the cabin, a flat-bottom steering wheel and metal-topped pedals help put the driver in the mood for fun.
The 2022 Acura MDX Type S should arrive in dealers in December. And as for when you’ll see a review and a rating for this spicy three-row, well, stay tuned.
About this article