Acura Announces 2017 MDX Sport Hybrid

Acura's first-ever hybrid crossover is priced just $1,500 more than the gasoline-only version.

2017 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid

Earlier today, Honda's luxury division announced that it will be releasing its first hybrid-electric SUV, while detailing its cost as well as the model's standard equipment list.

First introduced as a 2014 model, the third-generation MDX, on which the new hybrid is based, received a mild facelift for the 2017 model year. The biggest change was replacing its much-maligned "power plenum" grille with one that draws its inspiration from the brand's new "diamond pentagon" design.

The MDX's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $52,935 (including a destination charge of $975) would seem to be a pretty big step up from the base AWD model's MSRP of $47,025. However, the hybrid also comes standard with the $4,410 Technology Package (navigation, HD traffic and rerouting, premium audio; voice recognition for navigation, audio, climate control, and Bluetooth; AcuraLink connectivity, remote engine start, blind spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert), bringing the difference in price to just $1,500.

You also get an MDX with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 26/27/27 city/highway/combined miles per gallon. That's an improvement of 8/1/6 city/highway/combined mpg over the non-hybrid AWD MDX (which has an EPA-estimated18/26/21 city/highway/combined mpg). Premium gasoline is recommended for both the hybrid and non-hybrid models.

To top it all off, the hybrid also offers more horsepower. With its three-motor hybrid setup mated to a 3.0-liter V6, the system produces 321net horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque. That's an additional 31 horsepower and 22 lb-ft of torque over the gasoline model.