20 years of Acura MDX design
Catalin Matei, a designer at Honda, compares the design of the MDX prototype with the original 2001 MDX
First launched in 2000, the Acura MDX was one of the first three-row SUVs on the market. It was based on a unibody platform and had a clean, no-nonsense appearance. The model is now on its fourth generation, and while some similarities remain, the latest prototype version shows a clear design evolution.
Catalin Matei, principal designer and exterior design technical expert at Honda R&D Americas (HRA), was responsible for both the design of the 2001 Acura MDX and the latest prototype version. He describes the main differences between the old and the new models, highlighting the way in which Acura’s design team has
One of the similarities between the old and new MDX is that both use a bold character line that wraps around the entire vehicle. On the original MDX, the line ran from beneath the headlamps and cut through the door handles before continuing underneath the taillights. It sits higher on the new prototype MDX, starting above the headlamps where they meet the bonnet and running above the door handles and taillights.
A key differentiator in the approach of designing the original MDX and latest prototype is the treatment of the exterior to portray space. As the first MDX was one of the first three-row SUVs on the market, Acura delibrately extended the shape of the back to almost show off this fact. However, on the Prototype, Matei explains that the team tried to “conceal” the third row to make the model look “more personal”.
The new prototype MDX is defined by a new grille at the front. It is wide and stretches to almost meet the sharp headlamps. The diamond-shaped detailing splashes outwards from the central Acura logo, catching the light to give the grille a twinkling effect. Lighting signatures also play a key role in the Prototype’s appearance, with Acura’s Chicane shape featuring on both the front and rear lamps.
The interior of the prototype MDX was previously teased in a short video. There is a clear focus on quality materials and comfort, with plush leather and chrome fixtures used throughout.
