Compare the2022 Acura MDXVS 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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

The MDX has standard AcuraLink, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Outlander doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the MDX and the Outlander 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Acura MDX weighs 689 to 1236 pounds more than the Mitsubishi Outlander. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

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

Engine

The MDX’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 124 more horsepower (290 vs. 166) and 105 lbs.-ft. more torque (267 vs. 162) than the Outlander’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The MDX’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 66 more horsepower (290 vs. 224) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (267 vs. 215) than the Outlander GT’s standard 3.0 SOHC V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

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 Outlander doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The MDX has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander AWC’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 15.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The MDX has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander FWD’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 16.6 gallons).

The MDX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Outlander doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	MDX	Outlander
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	11.9 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the MDX has larger tires than the Outlander (255/55R19 vs. 225/55R18).

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

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the MDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 18-inch wheels are available on the Outlander. The MDX offers optional 20-inch wheels.

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 Outlander doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The MDX SH-AWD has a standard space-saver spare (not available on FWD) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the MDX’s wheelbase is 8.7 inches longer than on the Outlander (113.8 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the MDX is 7.1 inches wider in the front and 7.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Outlander.

Chassis

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

Passenger Space

The MDX has 10.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander (139.1 vs. 128.2).

The MDX has .7 inches more front legroom, 6.7 inches more front hip room, 5.5 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear legroom, 5.9 inches more rear hip room, 4.3 inches more rear shoulder room, .5 inches more third row headroom, .9 inches more third row legroom, 1.2 inches more third row hip room and 4.8 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander.

Cargo Capacity

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

	MDX	Outlander
Behind Third Seat	18.1 cubic feet	10.3 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	48.4 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	34.2 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	95 cubic feet	63.3 cubic feet

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the MDX Advance’s cargo door can be opened just by a gesture, leaving your hands completely free. The Outlander doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The MDX’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander’s (3500 vs. 1500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Mitsubishi. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 20% lower rating, Mitsubishi is ranked 12th.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the MDX, the memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat (memory seat optional for the front passenger), steering wheel position and outside mirror angle. The Outlander doesn’t offer a memory system.

The MDX offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Outlander doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the MDX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Outlander only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The MDX has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Outlander has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the SE/LE/SP/SEL/GT.

When the MDX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Outlander’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the MDX and the Outlander have standard heated front seats. The MDX Advance also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the Outlander.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the MDX keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Outlander doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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. The Outlander doesn’t offer wireless personal 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 Outlander doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

The Acura MDX outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by 42% during the 2020 model year.

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