The 3.5-liter V6 in the MDX, Technology, A-Spec, Advance and A-Spec Advance is a 24-valve SOHC i-VTEC design with Variable Cylinder Management and direct injection, rated at 290 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 267 lb-ft at 4,700 rpm.

The MDX Type S with Advance Package runs a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 at 15.1 psi of boost for 355 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 354 lb-ft from 1,400 to 5,000 rpm. With peak torque on tap from 1,400 rpm, an I-75 on-ramp asks very little of the Type S. Acura recommends premium 91-octane fuel for every MDX.

• 3.5L V6: 290 hp at 6,200 rpm, 267 lb-ft at 4,700 rpm
• Type S 3.0L turbo V6: 355 hp at 5,500 rpm
• Type S torque: 354 lb-ft from 1,400 to 5,000 rpm
• 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters on every trim
• Rev-match downshifts on the Type S
• Premium 91-octane fuel recommended

Front-wheel drive is offered on the MDX and the MDX with Technology Package, where Super Handling All-Wheel Drive is optional. From the A-Spec up, including the Type S, SH-AWD is standard. EPA ratings run 19 city and 26 highway with front-wheel drive, 19 and 25 with SH-AWD, and 17 and 21 for the Type S.

The Integrated Dynamics System is standard on every trim with Snow, Comfort, Normal and Sport modes plus an Individual setting. Two more modes belong to the Type S alone: Sport+ firms the dampers, sharpens throttle response and lowers the car at speed, while Lift raises it 50 millimeters for sand or rough pavement.

• SH-AWD standard from A-Spec up, available on MDX and Technology
• EPA-estimated 19/26 mpg city/highway with front-wheel drive
• EPA-estimated 19/25 mpg with SH-AWD
• EPA-estimated 17/21 mpg for the Type S
• Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport and Individual modes
• Sport+ and Lift modes exclusive to the Type S

Every MDX uses double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension with Agile Handling Assist. The Type S swaps the Amplitude Reactive Dampers used elsewhere in the range for Adaptive Air Suspension with auto leveling, which drops ride height 15 millimeters in Sport and gives it a variable 6.7 to 9.4 inches of ground clearance, and it adds Brembo four-piston front calipers on 14.3-inch rotors behind 21-inch wheels.

Towing runs to 3,500 pounds with front-wheel drive and 5,000 pounds with SH-AWD, including the Type S. Acura's footnote is specific: the 5,000-pound rating requires the accessory transmission fluid cooler, and towing requires the accessory hitch and ball.

• Double-wishbone front, multi-link rear suspension
• Adaptive Air Suspension on the Type S
• Brembo four-piston front calipers on the Type S
• 21-inch wheels on the Type S, 19- and 20-inch elsewhere
• 3,500 lbs of towing with front-wheel drive
• 5,000 lbs with SH-AWD, with the accessory cooler and hitch