2019 Acura MDX goes on sale from $44,300, beefier A-Spec version costs $54,800

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The three-row luxury SUV brings upgrades for the interior and other enhancements

We already knew the 2019 Acura MDX would be available with an A-Spec sport appearance package ever since the model debuted at the NYIAS earlier this year, so now it’s time to look at the pricing.

Quite a lot, compared to a base front-wheel-drive 2019 MDX which starts at $44,300 (excluding $995 destination and handling). The beefier body kit is priced from $54,800, so the obvious question is what does Acura throw in for the extra $10,500?

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For starters, the A-Spec model is available exclusively with Acura’s torque-vectoring Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), which distributes up to 70 percent of torque to the rear axle and can deliver up to 100 percent of that torque between the rear wheels. As with other A-Spec models, the rest of the package includes mostly styling upgrades.

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On the outside, the 2019 Acura MDX A-Spec gets 20-inch Shark Grey aluminum alloy wheels shod with low profile 265/45-series tires, an aggressive new front fascia, smoked headlights and taillights, bigger exhaust pipes, lower sills in body color, as well as gloss-black and dark chrome trim for the grille, window surround and rear tailgate spoiler.

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The A-Spec sport appearance package also spices up the interior with sport seats trimmed in rich red or black leather with Alcantara inserts, contrast stitching, A-Spec gauges, sport pedals and steering wheel with paddle shifters, Alcantara door inserts, gloss-black trim, and an A-Spec door step garnish.

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As for the rest of the 2019 MDX lineup, the SUV brings new interior design enhancements including an available Desert Olive Ash wood trim, high-contrast seat and door panel stitching, and contrasting front seat side garnishes. Equipment-wise, the front seats now feature standard 4-way power lumbar adjustments, while the Technology and Entertainment packages gain an updated second-row seat configuration for an easier access to the third row. Furthermore, the MDX with Advance Package adds matching wood center console trim.

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On the outside, the 2019 MDX expands the color palette to a total of nine options, including four new available premium colors. The Advance Package gains 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels with a machine finish and Shark Grey accents, as well as body-color lower garnishes.

As with the 2019 Honda Pilot, the 2019 MDX brings an updated 9-speed automatic that offers smoother shifts and enhanced drivability, as well as an upgraded Idle Stop system that’s said to deliver quicker restarts and more seamless operation.

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As before, the only engine choice is a 290-hp 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine mated to a 9-speed automatic, but that will change next month when Acura will introduce the 2019 MDX Sport Hybrid. The 2019 MDX with front-wheel drive has an EPA fuel economy rating of 20/27/23 mpg (city/highway/combined), while models equipped with SH-AWD return 19/26/22 mpg. The A-Spec is rated at 19/25/21 mpg.

READ MORE: If the MDX is too expensive, you can always downsize to an RDX