2026 Acura MDX Type S Advance -- Is This The Best Three-Row Performance SUV?

The exterior stands out with an open-surface Diamond Pentagon grille, enlarged air intakes, quad exhaust tips, and a lowered, performance‑tuned stance that instantly communicates power and precision.

Inside, the MDX Type S delivers premium comfort with a sporty edge—think high‑grade leather, Type S‑exclusive trim, massaging front seats, and a clean, modern cockpit designed around the driver. It’s a cabin that blends luxury craftsmanship with performance‑oriented ergonomics.

Under the hood, the turbocharged 3.0‑liter V6 and 10‑speed automatic pair with Super Handling All‑Wheel Drive to deliver strong acceleration, confident cornering, and the kind of road feel enthusiasts look for.

Tech is equally stacked: a crisp digital instrument cluster, a large touchscreen interface, wireless smartphone integration, and AcuraWatch safety features round out a fully modern package.

This model hits the sweet spot between power, refinement, and everyday usability—exactly the kind of content Drive Culture fans come for.

Also check out Drive Culture on YouTube. Drive Culture is detailed car review YouTube channel hosted by the ultimate car enthusiast, Jonathon Rivers.

Who is Jonathon Rivers?

Well, he's a +15 year Auto Industry veteran, born and raised in the Motor City!

He lived several years in Japan, speaks & reads Japanese, and now works for American Honda Motor. (Although this channel is his own & not affiliated)

He's owned several fun cars including a Evo IV, multiple Civic Si, Focus RS, and most recently the Integra Type S (which he lead planning for Acura)!

He's also been lucky enough to drive just about every key new product in the market from compact cars, to SUVs, EVs and super cars!

If that isn't enough to prove his "car guy" status, Jonathon has also been featured in Motor Trend, Car and Driver, AutoBlog, Jay Leno's Garage, Raiti's Rides and the SavageGeese channels! He's on Instagram  here and Facebook  here.

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A transcript, cleaned up by AI and edited by a staffer, is below.

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Transcript:

2026 Acura MDX Type S Advance – Cleaned Transcript

Chapter 1: Intro

I’m going to pull and hold to switch into Sport Plus, and then get into it.

Wide-open throttle. You can hear the engine sound. Yes, there’s a little bit of active sound control built in, but overall it’s just that V6 growl. It’s a single turbo — a twin-scroll turbo — so it spools up really fast.

Welcome to Drive Culture. I’m Jonathan Rivers, and today I have a 2026 Acura MDX Type S Advance. I’m going to tell you why this might be the best trim in the entire MDX lineup.

We’ll go over the exterior, the interior, the powertrain, and of course take it for a drive.

If this is the kind of content you’re after, or if you’re new to the channel, be sure to subscribe and click the bell so you can come back for more.

With that, let’s get after it.

Chapter 2: Pricing & Trims

Here we are with the latest Acura MDX — and a fully loaded one at that — because this is the Type S Advance trim.

Let’s quickly talk about the MDX in general. It’s now in its fourth generation. It originally debuted in 2001, and it was a big deal back then. It essentially helped create the three-row premium SUV segment and even won Car of the Year.

Since then, there have been several generations. The vehicle has gotten bigger, faster, and more refined. Acura also introduced the A-Spec trim, and now the Type S serves as the halo trim in the lineup.

In fact, this is currently the most expensive vehicle Acura sells.

For 2026, the Type S Advance essentially comes in one configuration. There used to be a Technology-based trim, but that was dropped a couple of model years ago.

The MSRP is $75,850, not including destination, handling, or optional paint.

Premium paint colors cost $600, and this vehicle has one of them. It’s also a new color for the MDX called Double Apex Blue Pearl.

Let me know what you think in the comments.

Before this, Acura offered Apex Blue Pearl, which was more of a royal blue. This new version is much more of an electric blue.

Now let’s move on to a full exterior walkaround.

Chapter 3: Exterior

Here’s the exterior of the 2026 Acura MDX Type S Advance.

This is the fourth-generation MDX, and in my opinion it’s the best-looking one yet. When you step up to the Type S, you get both the performance and the styling to match.

At nearly $76,000, it isn’t cheap — but you do get a lot for the price.

Starting up front, you’ll notice the sharp character lines and sculpted hood. The Double Apex Blue paint really pops in the sunlight.

The MDX features full LED headlights with Acura’s signature Chicane daytime running lights and dual-eye LED elements. You can even see “Acura” etched inside the headlight housing.

The grille is Acura’s Diamond Pentagon grille, and on the Type S it’s fully open for additional cooling.

Up front you’ll also find:

A 360-degree camera

Four front parking sensors

Large functional air intakes

LED fog lights

An opening for the intercooler of the turbocharged engine

The front end looks aggressive and purposeful.

Side Profile

The side profile blends sport and luxury, though it leans more toward the sporty side thanks to the black accents included with the A-Spec and Type S packages.

Notable features include:

Black fender trim running the length of the vehicle

Black mirror caps with integrated LED turn signals

Power-folding mirrors

Smart entry on all four doors

The wheels are 21-inch, with a five-spoke design, black lug nuts, and a machined finish. They’re wrapped in 275/40R21 tires, which are self-healing in case of small punctures.

Behind the wheels are large Brembo four-piston brakes, and the vehicle also features air suspension, which can raise or lower the ride height depending on the driving mode.

Rear Design

From the rear, the MDX looks especially sporty.

Highlights include:

Roof spoiler with integrated brake light

LED taillights that mirror the chicane design from the front

Type S badging

SH-AWD badge

Rear parking sensors

Aggressive rear diffuser

Quad exhaust tips

Overall, the rear design reinforces the sporty nature of the Type S.

Next, let’s hop inside.

Chapter 4: Interior

The interior of the MDX Type S Advance immediately shows where the money goes.

There are premium materials everywhere — leather surfaces, contrast stitching, and multiple high-quality trim pieces.

This example features a red interior, and it’s very bold. Acura also offers:

Orchid (off-white)

Black

Dark blue

Not every interior pairs with every exterior color, but this combination of Double Apex Blue exterior and red interior definitely stands out.

Materials and Dashboard

Across the dashboard you’ll find:

Leather with contrast stitching

Piano black trim

Real black wood trim

Premium metal accents

Everything feels solid and high-quality.

Steering Wheel

The steering wheel features:

Flat-bottom design

Perforated leather

Red contrast stitching

Type S badge

Paddle shifters

Heated steering wheel controls

Seats

The seats are some of the best in the segment.

They feature:

Type S embossing in the headrests

Perforated leather

Alcantara accents

16-way power adjustment

Heated, ventilated, and massaging functions

The massage function includes nine modes, including lower back, upper back, and shiatsu.

Center Console

The center console includes:

Physical climate controls

A large drive mode dial

Push-button gear selector

USB-C and USB-A ports

Wireless charging pad

Large storage compartments

Infotainment

The MDX features two 12.3-inch displays:

A touchscreen infotainment display

A digital instrument cluster

Acura has replaced the older touchpad system with a true touchscreen interface.

The system includes:

Google built-in

Wireless Apple CarPlay

Wireless Android Auto

There’s also a head-up display.

Audio System

The Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system in the Type S includes 31 speakers.

The speakers are integrated throughout the cabin — in the doors, pillars, and even the headliner — and the system delivers incredibly powerful audio.

Second Row

The second row offers excellent space and comfort.

Features include:

Heated outboard seats

Premium materials matching the front

Tri-zone climate control

USB-C ports

Manual sunshades

The center seat can fold down into an armrest with cupholders or be removed to create a captain’s-chair effect.

Third Row

The third row is surprisingly usable.

Even with the seat behind the driver adjusted for a 5'10" driver, there’s still space for adults.

You’ll also find:

USB-A ports

Speakers

Interior lighting

While not ideal for very long trips, it’s perfectly usable for occasional passengers.

Chapter 5: Cargo

The MDX offers multiple ways to open the power tailgate:

Key fob

Interior button

Exterior handle

Hands-free kick sensor

Cargo capacity:

16.3 cubic feet with the third row up

39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded

There’s also additional under-floor storage, and interestingly, the vehicle’s battery is located in the rear to help with weight distribution.

Chapter 6: Powertrain

The MDX Type S Advance comes with a single powertrain configuration.

It features:

3.0-liter turbocharged V6

355 horsepower

354 lb-ft of torque

10-speed automatic transmission

Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD)

Now let’s take it for a drive.

Chapter 7: Drive Review

Starting the vehicle causes the seat and steering wheel to move into position — a feature designed to make entry and exit easier.

There are several drive modes:

Lift

Snow

Comfort

Normal

Sport

Sport Plus

Lift mode raises the vehicle to its highest ride height, while Sport Plus delivers the most aggressive performance settings.

In Comfort mode, the air suspension does an excellent job absorbing bumps and rough surfaces.

Switching to Normal slightly firms the suspension and sharpens throttle response.

Moving to Sport and Sport Plus increases steering weight, throttle response, and engine sound.

Under wide-open throttle, the twin-scroll turbo V6 spools quickly and delivers strong acceleration.

The MDX Type S is genuinely quick for a three-row SUV.

The Brembo brakes are also impressive, offering strong stopping power.

Acura’s SH-AWD system can send up to 70% of power to the rear and distribute torque between the rear wheels to improve cornering performance.

In fast corners, the system helps rotate the vehicle and provides confident handling.

Overall, the MDX Type S drives extremely well for a vehicle in this segment.

Chapter 8: Outro

That’s a wrap.

What did you think of the 2026 Acura MDX Type S Advance? Is it one of the best three-row premium SUVs on the market today?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

If you want to see other MDX trims or competitors featured on the channel, let me know.

And if you’re new to Drive Culture, be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications.

Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you in the next episode.