The first MDX gave Acura a practical three-row SUV with Honda-style usability, powered by a 3.5 V6, a 5-speed automatic and VTM-4 four-wheel drive. Its appeal today is still clear: no-nonsense family transport with a smoother mechanical feel than many large rivals of the same era.
What matters now is documentation. Timing belt and water pump service, automatic transmission behavior, rear-drive-system maintenance and brake condition all matter more than equipment. A tired MDX I quickly feels heavy, hot-running and expensive to catch up.