Acura will pause production of the MDX Type S after the 2026 model year, putting the brand’s 355-hp performance crossover on hold as it navigates uncertainty around upcoming EPA emissions requirements. Acura has not said when—or whether—the turbocharged model will return.

The decision does not end MDX production. Acura’s East Liberty, Ohio, plant will continue building the standard MDX lineup, while dealers are expected to retain MDX Type S inventory into early 2027. For shoppers seeking Acura’s most powerful MDX, the pause will not immediately remove the model from showrooms.

Why Acura is pausing the MDX Type S

Acura spokesperson Andrew Quillin told Automotive News that the production pause is tied to regulatory uncertainty surrounding the EPA’s Tier 4 emissions framework. The decision is not attributed to weak demand for the performance trim.

The EPA’s multipollutant and Tier 4 framework covers light- and medium-duty vehicles from the 2027 through 2032 model years. The rule has already been finalized, but its implementation schedule is shifting. In May 2026, the EPA proposed moving the Tier 4 phase-in from 2027 to 2029 while retaining Tier 3 standards for 2027 and 2028.

That uncertainty creates a difficult business case for a relatively low-volume performance model. Acura could face the expense of certifying the same engine under two different regulatory schedules, a cost that is harder to justify for a niche trim than for a high-volume vehicle.

What happens to the MDX lineup

The pause affects the Type S trim rather than the MDX nameplate. Acura has described the move as a hiatus, and the rest of the MDX range is expected to continue after 2026.

The Type S uses a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 355 horsepower. That J30AC engine is also used in the TLX Type S. If both performance models lose the engine, Acura’s lineup will no longer include a factory-boosted six-cylinder.

Acura has not confirmed whether the MDX Type S’s styling or chassis tuning will move to lower trims. However, the brand has indicated that other MDX versions are expected to inherit some of the performance model’s design cues. That would preserve at least part of the Type S appearance even if the high-output powertrain does not return.

Will the Acura MDX Type S return?

Acura has not committed to a future model year for the MDX Type S, and its return depends in part on how the EPA ultimately sets the emissions timeline. The brand’s decision follows a similar certification-related pause for Honda’s Civic Si.

For buyers, the immediate takeaway is that 2026 is the final confirmed model year for the current MDX Type S. Remaining vehicles should continue reaching dealers into early 2027, but future availability beyond that point remains unresolved.