The latest surge in fossil-fuel prices means it is now up to nine times cheaper in the UK to drive an electric vehicle (EV) than a petrol or diesel car, shows Carbon Brief analysis.
My wife has a 2019 MDX, no internet at all. Must have been an option… We wouldn’t have bought it if it had it…
Now they have an option for bluetooth and an app if you install it on your phone… but that’s not a car connected to the internet, and we never installed the app.
My plan is to rip out their shitty infotainment system and replace it with something better as soon as I can figure out how to not break everything in doing so…
Now they have an option for bluetooth and an app if you install it on your phone… but that’s not a car connected to the internet, and we never installed the app.
From what I’m seeing its installed on all cars. The app was the primary way to interact with it, and it is indeed internet connected, including location services (so you can find your car on an internet map if you lost it) in 2019 models. The useful features required a subscription, but the basic features showing when you need an oil change (from vehicle telemetry) and being able to schedule service are apparently free for life. However, Acura disable the paid service July 21, 2025. I wouldn’t have any faith they disable the telemetry though.
The mobile phone radio is apparently in the TCU (Telematic Control Module) which was not an option but installed in all vehicles.
Ran a VIN search on the car, it is NOT factory equipped with AcuraLink. So looks like all the Hybrid’s, and all the Petrol models with the Technology package and up do, but the base MDX SH-AWD does NOT include the telematics system. Things like remote start and app based access are not available.
Thank god. I was beginning to thing we’d been lied to at the dealership (which would have resulted in us walking it back in and throwing the keys at someone). The LKAS (Lane Keeping Assist System) was bad enough (and got disabled week one). The stupid auto-engine-start-stop gets turned off as a part of the “start the car” routine since it can’t be disabled…yet. ;-)
Acura has been putting mobile data connection and collection devices in their cars since 2014. They call it their subscription service AcuraLink.
It was even installed on their lowest end car in 2014, the ILX:
My wife has a 2019 MDX, no internet at all. Must have been an option… We wouldn’t have bought it if it had it…
Now they have an option for bluetooth and an app if you install it on your phone… but that’s not a car connected to the internet, and we never installed the app.
My plan is to rip out their shitty infotainment system and replace it with something better as soon as I can figure out how to not break everything in doing so…
From what I’m seeing its installed on all cars. The app was the primary way to interact with it, and it is indeed internet connected, including location services (so you can find your car on an internet map if you lost it) in 2019 models. The useful features required a subscription, but the basic features showing when you need an oil change (from vehicle telemetry) and being able to schedule service are apparently free for life. However, Acura disable the paid service July 21, 2025. I wouldn’t have any faith they disable the telemetry though.
The mobile phone radio is apparently in the TCU (Telematic Control Module) which was not an option but installed in all vehicles.
Here’s a youtube video of someone taking their TCU out of their 2020 RDX if you’re interested.
Ran a VIN search on the car, it is NOT factory equipped with AcuraLink. So looks like all the Hybrid’s, and all the Petrol models with the Technology package and up do, but the base MDX SH-AWD does NOT include the telematics system. Things like remote start and app based access are not available.
Thank god. I was beginning to thing we’d been lied to at the dealership (which would have resulted in us walking it back in and throwing the keys at someone). The LKAS (Lane Keeping Assist System) was bad enough (and got disabled week one). The stupid auto-engine-start-stop gets turned off as a part of the “start the car” routine since it can’t be disabled…yet. ;-)
Once I crack the ECU, that will be gone.
I’m glad you were able to confirm the situation. Thanks for following up and satisfying my curiosity too.