Acura hints at new looks for 2017 MDX crossover
Acura will reveal a redesigned version of the MDX crossover, its most popular vehicle, at the New York International Auto Show on March 23.
It also will reveal plans to increase production capacity for the vehicle next year at a plant in Ohio.
The company has released a teaser photo that hints at the new look of the next MDX. The redesigned MDX will get a heavy dose of what Acura calls in its new marketing mantra “precisioncrafted performance” — its new, more aggressive design philosophy. That means the MDX will look significantly different, with crisper contours and a reshaped front end.
“We are sharpening our focus on the precision-crafted performance DNA of the Acura brand, and the 2017 MDX will integrate new styling elements and powertrain technology that takes us another step in that direction,” John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda, said in a statement.
Honda’s luxury brand debuted similar styling on the Acura NSX supercar, which goes on sale this month, and on a concept version of a luxury sedan that was revealed at the Detroit auto show in January.
Honda’s decision to update Acura’s seven-passenger crossover underscores how popular midsize crossovers have become and how difficult it is to stand out in the competitive segment. The MDX competes against vehicles in the premium segment that include the Buick Enclave, BMW X5, Lin- coln MKT, Mercedes ML350 and Audi Q7 and mainstream models such as the Ford Explorer, GMC Acadia and Toyota Highlander.
Acura sold more than 58,000 MDX crossovers in 2015 and clearly expects to sell more in the future.
Honda plans to begin building the 2017 MDX at its plant in East Liberty, Ohio, in 2017. The company said last year it plans to invest $85 million at the plant as part of a realignment of production in North America.