Compare the2022 Acura MDXVS 2021 Cadillac XT5

The Acura MDX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The XT5 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the MDX and the XT5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The engine in the MDX has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the XT5 have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

The MDX’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 53 more horsepower (290 vs. 237) and 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (267 vs. 258) than the XT5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura MDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the XT5.

For better stopping power the MDX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XT5:

For better traction, the MDX has larger tires than the XT5 (255/55R19 vs. 235/65R18).

The MDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XT5’s standard 65 series tires. The MDX’s optional tires have a lower 50 series profile than the XT5’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the MDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XT5.

The MDX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The XT5 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the MDX’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the XT5 (113.8 inches vs. 112.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the MDX is 2.9 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than on the XT5.

The MDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The XT5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The MDX has 34.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XT5 (139.1 vs. 104.5).

The MDX has .4 inches more front legroom, 3.2 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, 3 inches more rear hip room and 4 inches more rear shoulder room than the XT5.

The MDX’s cargo area provides more volume than the XT5.

The MDX’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT5’s (3500 vs. 1000 pounds).

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport, the MDX offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The MDX’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The XT5’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the MDX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the XT5 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The MDX’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The XT5’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura MDX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) for the front seat. Only the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers wireless charging.

The MDX offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The XT5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Acura MDX outsold the Cadillac XT5 by 34% during the 2020 model year.