2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid Rings Up At $53,095

The refreshed 2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid starts at $53,095, which includes the $995 destination charge, and is currently on sale as of February 1. Like the refreshed TLX, Acura made a big of quality of life upgrade for its largest crossover.

The SUV features an upgraded user interface that’s 30-percent faster to respond than last year’s unit. The seven-inch capacitive touchscreen – the outgoing model had a resistive-type screen – has a dual-screen user interface and comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility as standard. There are a pair of new colors, too.

Beyond that, the MDX Sport Hybrid is the same intriguing proposition it was last year, featuring bits and bobs from the NSX supercar. A 3.0-liter V6 works alongside a three-motor hybrid system to produce 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque. Attaching electric motors to both axles also blesses Acura's three-rower with standard all-wheel drive.

Acura will continue to offer a pair of trims – moving up from the base MDX Sport Hybrid with Technology Package to the Advance Package elevates the price to $59,145.

Acura isn’t the only automaker in the premium segment that has an electrified SUV in its lineup, but it is the brand with the most affordable offering. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo all have SUVs with electrified powertrains. The BMW X5 xDrive40e iPerformance has a starting price tag of $64,745, the Mercedes-Benz GLE 440e 4Matic Plug-in Hybrid SUV costs $68,690, and XC90 Momentum T8 eAWD Plug-in Hybrid costs $64,950. That said, each of those vehicles is a full-on plug-in hybrid, boasting a dedicated all-electric range and in most cases, more power.

Still, the MDX Sport Hybrid with Technology Package is roughly $11,600 cheaper than the most affordable offering from the aforementioned automakers. That makes Acura’s hybrid SUV one heck of value proposition, especially since Apple CarPlay is free.