If you’re searching for a comfortable luxury SUV that’s spacious and has good technology, the Acura MDX is an excellent choice. The MDX was introduced into Acura’s lineup in 2000 and is still made today. But what is the towing capacity of a 2012 Acura MDX?
The 2012 Acura MDX has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
The 2012 Acura MDX tow capacity can vary based on a few different factors such as engine size, drivetrain, trim level, and others which we’ll cover in this guide.
How Much Can The 2012 Acura MDX Tow?
The 2012 Acura MDX has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
The 2012 Acura MDX tow capacity is affected by other factors like engine type, drivetrain, the weight of cargo and passengers, and whether your vehicle has a towing package equipped or not.
You can always reach out to your local Acura dealership for details to confirm how much your MDX can tow.
You can check out our guide to Acura MDX towing capacity by year if you’re looking at a different model year’s max capacity or if you want to compare different years of this vehicle.
You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.
2012 MDX Towing Capacity By Trim Level
There are many trim levels for the 2012 MDX. Some engines and features are not available on certain configurations, so they can each have different max towing limits.
Here’s the max tow capacity broken down for each package on the 2012 Acura MDX:
2012 Acura MDX Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
2012 Acura MDX Base | 5,000 pounds |
2012 Acura MDX with Technology Package | 5,000 pounds |
2012 Acura MDX with Advance Package | 5,000 pounds |
Towing Capacity By Engine Size & Drivetrain
2012 Acura MDX Engine Towing Specs
There is one engine option for the 2012 MDX which is a 3.7L 6-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque.
2012 Acura MDX 3.5L V6 Engine Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds
2012 Acura MDX Drivetrain Towing Specs
The 2012 Acura MDX comes standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive optional on most trims.
2012 Acura MDX FWD Tow Capacity: 5,000 pounds
2012 Acura MDX AWD Tow Capacity: 5,000 pounds
Note that these are the max towing limits for each 2012 Acura MDX engine. Your Acura MDX may have a lower towing capacity based on the drivetrain, axle ratio, and if your vehicle has a towing package installed.
2012 Acura MDX Payload Capacity
The maximum payload capacity of the 2012 Acura MDX is 1,358 pounds.
This means that the 2012 MDX can carry up to 1,358 pounds worth of passenger and cargo weight in the vehicle, which makes it great for road trips and hauling heavier items.
Note that the max payload capacity of your 2012 MDX will vary based on factors like the engine type, drivetrain and whether or not a towing package that includes other features like an engine oil cooler or transmission oil cooler is installed.
You can always contact your local dealership for extra details if you’re unsure of your vehicle’s payload capability.
2012 Acura MDX Tow Package
Acura offers an optional factory-installed towing package for the MDX which includes a hitch receiver and wiring harness.
Certain trim levels and configurations also offer an automatic transmission fluid cooler.
We definitely recommend getting the towing package if you plan on towing anything with your 2012 MDX.
2012 Acura MDX Towing Capacity Vs Competitors
The 2012 Acura MDX has a maximum tow rating of 5000 pounds, which makes it capable of medium-duty towing.
The 2012 MDX’s tow capability is similar to its main competitors which are the 2012 Audi Q7 and the 2012 BMW X5.
Here are some similar vehicles to the 2012 Acura MDX and their towing capacities below:
2012 Audi Q7: 6,615 pounds
2012 GMC Acadia: 5,200 pounds
2012 Honda Pilot: 4,500 pounds
2012 BMW X5: 6,000 pounds
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official 2012 Acura MDX Owner’s Manual on Acura’s site and have checked all data thoroughly for accuracy.
Having said that, we still recommend you refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual yourself before towing with a 2012 Acura MDX.