Compare the2022 Acura MDXVS 2020 Cadillac Escalade

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 Escalade doesn’t offer knee airbags.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the MDX uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Escalade uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the MDX and the Escalade have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the MDX has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the engine in the Escalade.

On the EPA test cycle the MDX gets better fuel mileage than the Escalade:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the MDX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) The Escalade doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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

For superior ride and handling, the Acura MDX has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Cadillac Escalade has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Acura MDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1300 pounds less than the Cadillac Escalade.

The MDX is 5.5 inches shorter than the Escalade, making the MDX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The MDX is 7.3 inches shorter in height than the Escalade, making the MDX much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the MDX’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Escalade uses body-on-frame design instead.

The MDX has 18.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Escalade (139.1 vs. 120.8).

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

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Escalade, 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 power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Escalade’s parking brake has to released manually.

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 Escalade’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 Escalade can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Acura MDX outsold the Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV by almost two to one during the 2020 model year.