Massive electric-technology infusion aids fuel economy, enhances driving fun and doesn’t break the bank
As applied to numerous automobiles, the “Sport” term is one of the most misused appellations around.
But those audacious folks at Honda’s premium brand have incorporated the Sport label to the new hybrid version of the seven-passenger MDX. In this case, it’s actually tough to argue the point.
The MDX Sport Hybrid moves the yardstick well past the point of most buyer expectations in the larger-wagon group. And that includes design, performance, fuel efficiency, spaciousness and comfort.
The Sport Hybrid offshoot gets its mojo from the same powertrain first found in the RLX hybrid sedan and later adapted for the second-generation NS X sports car. For the MDX, it consists of a 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine that by itself makes 257 horsepower and 218 pound-feet of torque.
Directly assisting the V6 is a 47-horsepower electric motor built into the Sport Hybrid’s seven-speed paddle-shift transmission with automatic mode. In back are twin electric motors that contribute 36 horsepower to each rear wheel. Combined, the drive system puts out 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque. That compares to 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet for the non-hybrid MDX with its 3.5-liter V6 and nine-speed automatic.
If it seems like the hybrid should have higher net numbers, it’s because the electric motors mostly assist at engine revs well below the gasoline engine’s peak power.
Despite weighing an extra 227 pounds, the Sport Hybrid launches and accelerates with authority and functions so smoothly delivering power to all four wheels that drivers won’t notice anything unusual going on. Acura says that the rearward electric motors alone initially help launch the MDX from a dead stop before the gasoline engine kicks in, but that transition is mainly unnoticed.
Also unnoticed is any intrusion into the cabin by the hybrid’s hardware. The lithium-ion battery pack is located beneath the second-row seat, while the Power Control Unit (PCU) and Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) that control the system’s operation are positioned under the front seats. As a result, the Sport Hybrid has identical passenger space and cargo volume to the gasoline MDX.
What will get your attention, though, is the fuel-economy rating of 26 mpg in the city, 27 on the highway and 27 combined. The best you’re likely to see from the non-hybrid MDX is 18/26/22.
Your best shot at duplicating the Sport Hybrid’s mpg numbers is to leave the driver-adjustable four-mode drive system in Normal or Comfort (reduced steering effort and softer suspension settings). But for more spirited driving, the Sport mode firms up the suspension and adds more feedback to the electronic power-assisted steering.
Sport+ alters the transmission’s shift points, disables the electric-only function
and delivers maximum rear electric power when you step on the accelerator.
When turning, one of the rear electric motors applies additional torque to the outside wheel while the other motor adds light braking to the inside wheel. This torque-vectoring effect helps the MDX corner more precisely.
Pricing starts at $52,900(including destination charges), which is $5,900 more than a base non-hybrid MDX with all-wheeldrive. That includes the usual amenities plus perforated-leather seats, navigation, ELS-brand premium audio system and a full suite of active-safety technology.
The Sport Hybrid Advance Package adds premium heated and ventilated leather-covered front seats, heated second-row high-back bucket seats with floor console (replacing the bench seat), upgraded wood-trimmed interior accents, heated steering wheel, second-row sunshades and a surround-view system with seven cameras that provide a 360-degree look at your surroundings.
A seven-passenger utility vehicle that’s thrifty on fuel and actually sporty to drive is an impressive accomplishment. Unless you’re prepared to dig deep for a Porsche Cayenne, Mercedes-Benz GLS or Audi Q7, the MDX Sport Hybrid is a significant bargain.