The 2004 luxury SUV market was becoming crowded: Volkswagen had its Touareg, Volvo its XC90, and Mercedes and BMW continued with their various offerings. The 2004 Acura MDX received some slight tweaks to better enable it to compete on the lots.
In a deviation from its usual redesign/refreshen pattern, Acura retuned its 2004 MDX while the recently updated 2003 models were still available. The engine remained a 3.5-liter V6, but horsepower was bumped up to 265 from 260 the previous year (and 240 two years prior). Torque increased by a whopping 3 lb-ft to 253@3500 RPM.
The 2004 MDX is an extremely family-friendly car, with top ratings for front impact, high ratings for side impact, and three rows of seats for storing the munchkins (kids or doughnuts, depending on your place in life ;))
Drivers of this car like the soft leather, but tend to find the seats uncomfortable. Some believe the stiffer seating to be a safety feature, but most complain that they are too bench-like. Cargo room remains a problem for MDX drivers. With the third seat, space in the back is limited to duffel back storage.
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Super good i creíble auto lo vendo porque tengo que irmeJun 30, 2023
by Edwin D
Dec 22, 2022
The car and everything in it is great
Of course there’s little things to take care of but this me when I get a used car anyway Dec 22, 2022
by Scott F
Dec 08, 2022
Great vehicles but transmissions are known to breakdown consistently in the 02 - 07 modelsDec 08, 2022
User rating:
by Jeanette C
Jun 30, 2023
Super good i creíble auto lo vendo porque tengo que irmeJun 30, 2023
by Edwin D
Dec 22, 2022
The car and everything in it is great
Of course there’s little things to take care of but this me when I get a used car anyway Dec 22, 2022
by Scott F
Dec 08, 2022
Great vehicles but transmissions are known to breakdown consistently in the 02 - 07 modelsDec 08, 2022
by Doleata J
Sep 08, 2022
I really like my MDX. You cant even tell by driving that its an 2004, because it drives like new. I just wish it had bluetooth or a Auxiliary plug so I could listen to my music or talk on my phone. Thats the only complaint I have.Sep 08, 2022
by Miguel H
Aug 27, 2022
Nice car very reliable comfortable for me is a good value I recommend Aug 27, 2022
by Anonymous
Oct 30, 2020
Started then stopped
Check engine light
It is an auction car
Was not prepared to sellOct 30, 2020
by Anonymous
Feb 03, 2015
there is nothing i don't like just a great vehicle to own its not a cheap vehicle but you will get your money worth out of buying this vehicle. i also own the 2009 acura mdx and found that the newer mdx burns a lot more gas than the older mdx.Feb 03, 2015
by Anonymous
Jan 29, 2015
One of the best trucks ever. Extremely reliable and amazing looks. People who purchase these do not get rid of them for good reason. I love the way it handles, the heat working fast, quick in and out. Easy car.Jan 29, 2015
by James A
Jan 27, 2015
This is a good size suv crossover type wagon for a family of five. Space of 3rd row is limited,unable to use 3rd row and have cargo space unless you use roof rack with cargo bin.Reliable as you would expect a Honda/Acura to be. Nice body lines and styling,keeps it's value as all Hondas and Acuras.Jan 27, 2015
by Anonymous
Nov 05, 2014
The Acura MDX is rated high in safety and it handles great for being a large size SUV. The 3rd row seat is perfect for families with kids and sports activities. Gas mileage isn't the best but it is has one of the highest rankings in safety which is the reason I decided to buy another one.Nov 05, 2014
by Anonymous
Nov 05, 2014
Best feature about the Acura MDX is that it has the 3rd Row seat so it is considered a large SUV, but it looks like and handles like a mid size. Gas mileage isn;t great but ranks high in safety!Nov 05, 2014
by Lorraine S
Aug 18, 2014
Honestly, there is nothing I dislike about this car. If I HAD to choose something I would say, it's white. I never wanted a white car but this one was too nice to pass up and white has sort if grown on me now. Aug 18, 2014
by Anonymous
Apr 13, 2014
I really enjoyed driving this car everyday to and from work. It always came in handy whenever there was a lot to move around and definitely had a smooth ride. This was my first luxury car and I have to say that it is a great car!! Right now I am looking to down size, I do not have a lot to move around and no children and being that my daily commute is about 50 miles a day I would like to find something with better mileage. I wish that I could afford to keep this car, because it really is a great car! Apr 13, 2014
by Elisha L
Aug 21, 2010
I love everything about this car. Love the exterior design and interior toys. Has supple power for every day use. Has over 90k kms but still retains smooth ride. No major problems .Very reliable.4WD is ok but snow tires is a MUST. Acura also squeezed in alot of stuff that were hard to find(the cd changer under the seat and the pc card slot)Had to go on forums to find out where they were. The mdx had pretty good mileage at first but it has dropped over the years. Currently the trip comp reads around 14-17 mpg at 90 ks. runs on premium too so keep in mind that fuel will definitely be a factor. The 2004 mdx is a typical Honda-made vehicle.Aug 21, 2010
by Hobin K
Apr 08, 2009
As the first crossover I have ever drove and still retained
by a family member it is in my personal opinion without
equal. As usual you get the iron clad build quality of a
japanese automobile with all the gadgetry to fly a
spaceship. As a luxurious model that is synonymous with
the Acura badging it has a lot of creature comforts that it
almost, just almost, makes you forget that your driving
rather slow. Of course the MDX while on the rather fast
side of crossovers, there are better out there to tickle
your need for speed. (most notably the European makes
out there) What the MDX does make up for is that you get
quite a bit for the money you spend, which by the way is
quite small for a full sized cross over. The handling
depending on who you are handles like a boat, slow and
full of body roll. But then there is so much assisted
steering that driving long distances become effortless to
the point of feeling like one of the passengers. So for the
best value for comfort, build quality and space to boot in a
cross over the Acura MDX is hard to beat.Apr 08, 2009
by Angel S
Oct 02, 2008
I love my Acura MDX. It has a really comfy ride and a fairly peppy engine. The all wheel drive and VSA rocks in wet and icy weather. It's a super good mama-mobile... lots of storage and seating, heavy on the cupholders (although not quite big enough to hold a Rt 44 drink from Sonic... grah!). I've promised multiple times to drive this car until the doors fall off, and at some point, I hope that'll happen because I'd love to buy another one!Oct 02, 2008
by Jack S
Sep 18, 2008
This was our second Acura MDX after having a 2002 for two years & enjoying it - the first one had NAVI which was a fun toy but not used often, the second one we skipped NAVI and got rear seat video instead. Probably one of the best all around vehicle I have ever driven, fit & finish is great, power is decent, ride is good - not too exciting looking but ok.Sep 18, 2008
by Irene T
Sep 06, 2008
I bought this 4x4 a couple months before my baby's born, its easy for me to get in and out of the car, got lots of space inside. The price is fair. The acceleration is good, pick up fast, around 280 miles per tank of gas, which is not so bad for a 4x4. I really have fun driving this SUV, makes me racing others too... ^0^Sep 06, 2008
by Irene T
Sep 06, 2008
the best 4x4 i ever have for now!!! even better than the lexus i used to have before....good looking,acceleration fast .... makes me keep racing w other cars... hoho .... bought it couple months before my baby's born, lots of space inside... can run round 280miles per tank of gas, and also easy to handling just like a sport car....love it!!!Sep 06, 2008
by Jacqui J
Aug 01, 2008
Ultimately, for us, unneccessary. Felt guilty about pollutiing and switched to a Prius when the lease was up. Then gas prices went sky high and, well, bonus!
Don't really miss the MDX actually! But it did drive very well. We called it "Smoothy". Will probably miss it if we have another winter with waist-high snow.Aug 01, 2008
by Rory L
Jun 30, 2008
We're really happy with this SUV. I has tons of storage and the built quality is top notch. The interior is fantastic. Comfortable, nice looking gauges.Jun 30, 2008
by Alfonso C
Jun 03, 2008
We bought this car used with only a couple scratches and it runs like
new. We only had to go through an oil change. This car always starts
successfully in 1 shot, even in freezing weather. The 4WD works well.
Jun 03, 2008
by John J
May 20, 2008
Great luxury SUV that won't do well too far off-pavement (but, who in their right minds takes a luxury SUV too far off-pavement?) Great ride, great comfort. I am really liking this vehicle a lot.
Now that I have had it for over 2 years, I must say I still like it a lot. I have had a few issues, but everything was fixed by my extended-warranty (even though I do have a $100 deductible.) Both rear window regulators failed at different times, causing the windows to drop unexpectedly. Those are about $250-300 fixes @ the stealership. Had the A/C quit working unexpectedly, and according to the stealership, it needed a new compressor clutch and something else... I believe they charged the warranty over $1k for that in total, but w/e. I did the timing belt a few months ago, and that was about $900... but that is to be expected with *ANY* car you have at about 100k miles. Other than that, it runs great and I still like it. May 20, 2008
by Victor O
Apr 14, 2008
It's an SUV, so it isn't glitzy. It is just dependable transportation for work.Apr 14, 2008
by Neema B
Mar 30, 2008
It is supposedly an SUV, but in reality it is a big car. Very good performance, probably one of the faster SUV's you will ever find. The automatic transmission and VSA can act up on occasion.Mar 30, 2008
by Anonymous
Aug 14, 2007
A ride with secure feeling at all driving levels!!Aug 14, 2007
I have to replace my power steering rack, 2004 Acura MDX. My brother has offered to do it but said it could take a long time if the engine cradle has to be dropped and steering colum removed. He's never done one on a MDX before. I confident he can do it, I just hate to ask him to do such a big job on his day off.
With brand new battery and 2 hours the dashboard warning lights all lit up. The engine would try to stall trans would shift to lower gears and lost radio and all instruments ,mph,gas,temp
I got a case of Honda ATF fluid to do the x3 drain and fill today. Well, upon taking the drain plug off the transmission, 6.5 quarts is the amount that drained out. I added 6 quarts back (at the recommendation of my Auto shop class instructor because 6 came out) Ran it through the gears and drained again, almost 8 quarts came out the 2nd time. Final fill we added only 3 quarts. Why did 6.5 quarts come out when we first drained it, when it only calls for 3.5-4 at most? Why did almost 8 quarts come out the 2nd time? The YouTube videos I've watched says 3.5-4 quarts will come out and that's how much comes out, do that x3. My instructor wasn't sure why so much was in there, other than the Honda dealer over filled the transmission last August when I paid them to drain and fill. Any insights are greatly appreciated!
I've tried everything I can. The shocks and struts were replaced 3 years ago. Rotors and brakes replaced. Tires balanced and high speed balance. I have checked the wheel bearings and tie rods and believe they are all well. Bushings appear to be good. Alignment has been checked and is in spec. What am I missing? I'm stumped. Thanks.