Top Safety Pick

2025 Acura MDX

midsize luxury SUV / 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front
Moderate overlap front: original test
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: updated test

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0
Optional system
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Standard system
Optional system

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use	+

Other available safety features

Standard blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning & prevention
Optional rear automatic braking

Key

Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

Driver-side

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Acura MDX A-Spec

The Acura MDX was redesigned for the 2022 model year after a one-year absence from the market. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Acura MDX conducted by Honda.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall driver-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2101
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	1
Footrest (cm)	3
Left toepan (cm)	5
Brake pedal (cm)	6
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Upper dash (cm)	2
Lower instrument panel (cm)	2

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2101
Head
HIC-15	154
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	9
Maximum Nij	0.19
Chest maximum compression (mm)	25
Femur (kN)
Left	1.2
Right	1.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.28
Right	0.55
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.8
Right	2.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	62
Right	42

Passenger-side

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Acura MDX

The Acura MDX was redesigned for the 2022 model year after a one-year absence from the market. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Acura MDX conducted by Honda.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall passenger-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2101
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	4
Footrest (cm)	9
Right toepan (cm)	9
Center toepan (cm)	9
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	2
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Upper dash (cm)	2
Right lower dash (cm)	4

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2101
Head
HIC-15	254
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm)	54
Maximum Nij	0.44
Chest maximum compression (mm)	17
Femur (kN)
Left	1.9
Right	2.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	5
Right	5
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.56
Right	0.52
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	3.2
Right	2.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	64
Right	71

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2101
Head
HIC-15	90
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm)	6
Maximum Nij	0.17
Chest maximum compression (mm)	21
Femur (kN)
Left	0.9
Right	1.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.23
Right	0.27
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.6
Right	2.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	31
Right	53

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Acura MDX Elite

The Acura MDX was redesigned for the 2022 model year after a one-year absence from the market. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2022 Acura MDX conducted by Honda.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF2101
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	1
Left (cm)	4
Center (cm)	2
Right (cm)	2
Brake pedal (cm)	7
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	-1
Right (cm)	-1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	0
Rearward (cm)	-3
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF2101
Head
HIC-15	152
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	66
Maximum Nij	0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm)	25
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	1.2
Femur force - right (kN)	1.0
Knee displacement - left (mm)	1
Knee displacement - right (mm)	1
Maximum tibia index - left	0.31
Maximum tibia index - right	0.37
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.2
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	2.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	42
Right	44

About the original moderate overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2023-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Acura MDX SH 4-door 4wd

The Acura MDX was redesigned for the 2022 model year after a one-year absence from the market.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh/hip
Leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

The rear passenger dummy's head approached the front seatback, which increases the risk of head injuries.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a low risk of injury to the head or neck and chest. During the crash, the shoulder belt remained in an ideal position on the dummy’s chest.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt moved from the ideal position on the pelvis onto the abdomen, increasing the risk of abdominal injuries.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2322
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	2
Left (cm)	4
Center (cm)	3
Right (cm)	2
Brake pedal (cm)	10
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	-1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	0
Rearward (cm)	-3
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2322
Head
HIC-15	120
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm)	7
Maximum Nij	0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm)	26
Femur (kN)
Left	1.0
Right	0.8
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.28
Right	0.25
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.5
Right	1.9
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	44
Right	35

Test ID	CEF2322
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.8
Compression (kN)	0.2
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Chest
Chest index	34
Shoulder belt tension (kN)	3.8
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression	0.2
Right femur compression	0.1

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Acura MDX SH 4-door 4wd

The Acura MDX was redesigned for the 2022 model year after a one-year absence from the market. Side 2.0 ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2023 Accord conducted by Honda.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2202
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-22.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2202
Head
HIC-15	83
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.6
Compression (kN)	0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	18
Lateral force (kN)	0.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	30
Average deflection (mm)	27
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.48
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.33
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	2.7

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2202
Head
HIC-15	171
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.5
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	19
Lateral force (kN)	1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	37
Average deflection (mm)	22
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.38
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.53
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	2.7

About the side crash test

Headlights

Trim level(s)

All trims

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and fair on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left and both right curves and fair on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on the gradual left curve.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	All trims
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2022-25 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	98.3 m	None
Straightaway left edge	57.0 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	88.2 m	None
250m radius left curve, right edge	57.9 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	69.8 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	61.5 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	159.6 m
Straightaway left edge	151.6 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	91.0 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	78.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	69.9 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	63.2 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0

Rating applies to all 2025 models

System details

optional Collisition Mitigation Braking System

equipped with Type-S package

Overall evaluation

with optional equipment

Passenger car target

Test run	Speed reduction	Timely warning?
31 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
31 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided
37 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
37 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided
43 mph/target centered	39 mph
43 mph/target off-center	40 mph

Motorcycle target

Test run	Speed reduction	Timely warning?
31 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
31 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided
37 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
37 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided
43 mph/target centered	15 mph
43 mph/target off-center	Autobrake not tested

Semitrailer

Only warning is tested with the semitrailer.

Test run	Timely warning?
31 mph/target centered
37 mph/target centered
43 mph/target centered

About the front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Ratings are given for 2 different systems available on this vehicle.

Rating applies to all 2024-25 models

System details

standard Collision Mitigation Braking System

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Includes high-beam assist credit

Crossing child — day

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 19 mph.

Crossing adult — night

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle nearly avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle nearly avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 17 mph.

Parallel adult — night

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle failed to slow.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 33 mph when using its high beams and a warning was issued 2.3 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, this vehicle failed to slow and a warning was issued 0 seconds before impact.

Rating applies to all 2025 models

System details

optional Collision Mitigation Braking System

equipped with Type-S package

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Includes high-beam assist credit

Crossing child — day

In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 11 mph.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult — night

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult — night

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams and a warning was issued 2.1 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision and a warning was issued 1.4 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2025 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration	Long enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 60 seconds
Belt disengaged alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 30 seconds
Volume
Audio frequency

Technical measurements for this test

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation	+ extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim
Seat type	leather

This vehicle has 3 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 2 additional seating positions with a tether anchor only.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation	+ extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim
Seat type	leather

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	hard-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
4
4	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
6
6	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available

Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	92
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	91
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Seat position 22

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	6
Clearance angle (degrees)	77
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	9
Clearance angle (degrees)	72
Tether anchor
Location	Bottom seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Seat position 23

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	88
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	92
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Seat position 31

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Seat position 33

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation

Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h	51 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h	71 dB
Difference between background and signal	19.8 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h	56 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h	70 dB
Difference between background and signal	14.6 dB
Dominant audio frequency	800 Hz