Compare the2022 Acura MDXVS 2021 GMC Acadia

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 Acadia doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the MDX and the Acadia 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The MDX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Acadia’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year and 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the MDX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than GMC covers the Acadia. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Acadia ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The MDX’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Acadia’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

The engine in the MDX has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the Acadia 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 97 more horsepower (290 vs. 193) and 79 lbs.-ft. more torque (267 vs. 188) than the Acadia’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The MDX’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 60 more horsepower (290 vs. 230) and 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (267 vs. 258) than the Acadia’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the MDX’s fuel efficiency. The Acadia doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

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 Acadia.

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

For better traction, the MDX has larger tires than the Acadia (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 Acadia’s standard 65 series tires. The MDX’s optional tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Acadia’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the MDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Acadia.

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

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the MDX is 3.2 inches wider in the front and 3.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Acadia.

For greater off-road capability the MDX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Acadia (7.3 vs. 7.2 inches), allowing the MDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

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

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than GMC. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 26% lower rating, GMC is ranked 14th.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Acadia SLT Luxury Package/Denali, 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 fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Acadia’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully. Only its driver’s window closes automatically.

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 Acadia can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The MDX’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Acadia’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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. Wireless charging costs extra on the Acadia and isn’t available on the Acadia SL/5-Passenger.