TORRANCE, California, July 31, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The 2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid begins arriving at Acura dealerships nationwide tomorrow featuring four new exterior color options and new interior wood treatment. The 2019 MDX Sport Hybrid will open with a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP¹) of $52,800 (excluding $995 destination and handling). This price reflects only a modest price premium of $1,500 over the conventionally powered MDX SH-AWD^® with Technology Package despite offering standard adaptive dampers and an additional 31 horsepower while also receiving a nearly 37-percent higher city fuel economy rating.²

Similar in design to the NSX supercar, the MDX Sport Hybrid’s powertrain features Acura’s signature three-motor Sport Hybrid Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD^®) system, making it the brand’s most powerful and efficient production SUV. The Acura MDX lineup continues to lead the industry as the best-selling three-row luxury SUV both of this year and of all-time³.  

Similar to the conventional MDX, the 2019 MDX Sport Hybrid features a number of enhancements, including driver and front-passenger 4-way power lumbar support, authentic Desert Olive Ash wood highlights, high-contrast seat and door panel stitching, and matching wood center console trim for Advance Package models.

Technology and Advance grades include unique interior trim, exterior badging and stainless steel sport pedals. Technology Package models include seating for seven, while the range-topping Advance Package incorporates a 6-passenger interior configuration with second-row captain’s chairs and a large second-row center console in place of a three-occupant bench seat.

For 2019, the exterior color palette has been expanded to eight options, including new Gunmetal Metallic and three new premium colors: Majestic Black Pearl, Performance Red Pearl and Canyon Bronze Metallic.

NSX-Derived Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD^®)

Engineered for customers who desire the ultimate in driving refinement, technological sophistication and prestige, the MDX Sport Hybrid’s 3.0-liter, i-VTEC™ V6 engine and three-motor Sport Hybrid Super Handling-All Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD^®) system delivers decisive power and control as well as instant torque. Despite turning out 321-peak horsepower and 289 lb.-ft. total peak torque, all MDX Sport Hybrids receive an impressive EPA combined fuel economy rating of 27 mpg².

An advanced 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (7DCT) is standard – a feature closely related to the NSX supercar’s 9-speed DCT. Unlike a conventional automatic transmission, MDX Sport Hybrid’s DCT offers ultra-fast gear changes and operates without the need for a torque converter, significantly improving efficiency. The 7DCT can operate automatically or manually via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.   

The MDX Sport Hybrid’s electric SH-AWD^® system operates independently of the gasoline engine, as the two rear-mounted electric motors dynamically apportion torque directly to the rear wheels. When cornering, the MDX Sport Hybrid delivers positive torque to the outside rear wheel, much like mechanical SH-AWD^®, to create a yaw moment. In addition, the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD^® can simultaneously apply regenerative brake torque to the inside rear wheel during cornering to further enhance cornering control.

Key Features

• Three-motor Sport Hybrid SH-AWD^® powertrain
• 3.0-liter, i-VTEC V6 engine
• 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (7DCT)
• 4-mode Integrated Dynamics System with SPORT+ mode
• Active Damper System (ADS)
• Electric Servo Brake System
• Body-color lower side sills and front/rear skid garnishes
• SH-AWD badge on rear and Hybrid badges on front fenders

Every 2019 MDX includes the AcuraWatch™ suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies as standard equipment. AcuraWatch™ bundles together Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC with Low-Speed Follow) and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW). Additional safety and driver assistive features consist of Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA^®) with traction control, Blind Spot Information (BSI), Rear Cross Traffic Monitor and Acura’s Advance Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure.

Along with every other version of MDX, the 2019 MDX Sport Hybrid is manufactured exclusively at Honda’s East Liberty Auto plant located in East Liberty, Ohio using domestic and globally sourced parts.

2019 MDX Sport Hybrid Pricing and EPA Fuel Economy Ratings

Summary of What’s New for 2019 MDX Sport Hybrid

• High-contrast seat and door panel stitching
• New interior wood treatment
• Driver and front-passenger 4-way power lumbar control
• 12-way driver and front-passenger seat adjustment
• New exterior colors: Majestic Black Pearl, Performance Red Pearl, Canyon Bronze Metallic and Gunmetal Metallic

About Acura
Acura is a leading automotive luxury nameplate that delivers Precision Crafted Performance, representing the original values of the Acura brand – a commitment to evocative styling, high performance and innovative engineering, all built on a foundation of quality and reliability.

The Acura lineup features six distinctive models – the RLX premium luxury sedan, the TLX performance luxury sedan, the ILX sport sedan, the five-passenger RDX luxury crossover SUV, the seven-passenger Acura MDX, America’s all-time best-selling three-row luxury SUV and the next-generation, electrified NSX supercar as a pinnacle expression of Acura Precision Crafted Performance.

Using a mix of domestic and globally sourced parts, five of the six models in the Acura lineup are made exclusively in central Ohio, including the ILX and TLX luxury sports sedans (Marysville Auto Plant), the RDX and MDX luxury SUVs (East Liberty Auto Plant) and the Acura NSX supercar, which is built to order at the Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio.

For More Information
Additional media information including pricing, features and high-resolution photography is available at AcuraNews.com. Consumer information is available at Acura.com. Follow Acura on social media at Acura.us/SocialChannels.

¹ MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) excluding tax, license, registration, $995 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.

² Based on 2019 EPA mileage ratings; Use for comparison purposes only; Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery pack age/condition, and other factors

³ 2018CYTD May claim based on retail sales among 3-row SUVs in midsize luxury SUV segment, and all-time claim based on cumulative total sales of all 3-row luxury SUVs in the industry since 1980.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/724360/2019_Acura_MDX_Sport_Hybrid.jpg

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/592658/Acura_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Acura