With front-wheel drive, offered on the base MDX and the Technology trim, the 3.5-liter V6 earns an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. Adding SH-AWD, which is standard on A-Spec, Advance, and A-Spec Advance, moves the rating to 19/25/21.

The MDX Type S Advance and its 355-horsepower turbocharged V6 rate an EPA-estimated 17/21/19, the fair price of an extra 65 horsepower and an air-sprung chassis. All three configurations carry Acura's premium 91-octane fuel recommendation.

• Front-wheel drive: EPA-estimated 19 city/26 highway/22 combined MPG
• SH-AWD: EPA-estimated 19 city/25 highway/21 combined MPG
• Type S Advance: EPA-estimated 17 city/21 highway/19 combined MPG
• Premium 91-octane fuel recommended on every trim
• Front-wheel drive offered on base and Technology only

The 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 leans on Variable Cylinder Management, which shuts down cylinders under light load, plus direct injection, idle-stop, and a 10-speed automatic whose tall upper gears keep revs low at Florida highway speeds. It is old-school displacement managed by very current software.

Every MDX carries an 18.5-gallon tank. At the combined ratings, that works out to an estimated 407-mile range for front-wheel-drive models, 388 miles with SH-AWD, and 351 miles for the Type S Advance, so even the thirstiest MDX clears Ocala to Atlanta with a single stop.

• 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 with Variable Cylinder Management
• 10-speed automatic with tall cruising gears
• Idle-stop and direct injection standard
• 18.5-gallon fuel tank
• Estimated 407-mile front-wheel-drive driving range
• Estimated 388-mile SH-AWD driving range

A three-row SUV's real-world economy swings with load and duty. Seven passengers, a roof box, or 5,000 pounds of trailer behind an SH-AWD model will pull the numbers below the EPA figures, while a solo highway commute frequently beats the rating thanks to cylinder deactivation doing its best work at steady cruise.

Smooth inputs, correct tire pressures, and the recommended premium fuel keep the V6 operating where Acura tuned it. Ask our Jenkins Acura of Ocala service team to look at real-world economy at your next visit if the trip computer drifts from what you expect.

• Steady highway cruising favors cylinder deactivation
• Passenger and cargo load lowers real-world economy
• Towing reduces fuel economy
• Correct tire pressure protects the rating
• Premium fuel keeps output and economy on spec