Compare the2022 Toyota SequoiaVS 2022 Acura MDX

Both the Sequoia and the MDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available four-wheel drive.

The Toyota Sequoia weighs 1165 to 1714 pounds more than the Acura MDX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Sequoia for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Acura doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the MDX.

There are almost 5 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sequoia’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Sequoia’s reliability 44 points higher than the MDX.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sequoia third among large suvs in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The MDX isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 19th in initial quality. With 8 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 23rd.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 10th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Acura is ranked 28th.

The Sequoia’s 5.7 DOHC V8 produces 91 more horsepower (381 vs. 290) and 134 lbs.-ft. more torque (401 vs. 267) than the MDX’s 3.5 SOHC V6.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Toyota Sequoia is faster than the Acura MDX:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Sequoia uses regular unleaded gasoline. The MDX requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Sequoia has 7.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the MDX (26.4 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Sequoia’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the MDX are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Sequoia has larger tires than the MDX (275/65R18 vs. 255/55R19).

The Sequoia has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the MDX; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The Sequoia offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The MDX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sequoia’s wheelbase is 8.2 inches longer than on the MDX (122 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Sequoia is .2 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than on the MDX.

For better maneuverability, the Sequoia’s turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the MDX’s (38.1 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Sequoia has a 2.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (10 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Sequoia to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Sequoia has standard seating for 8 passengers; the MDX can only carry 7.

The Sequoia has .9 inches more front legroom, 3.2 inches more front hip room, 4.5 inches more front shoulder room, 2.4 inches more rear legroom, 2.1 inches more rear hip room, 5.3 inches more rear shoulder room, 6.2 inches more third row legroom, 9.8 inches more third row hip room and 10.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the MDX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sequoia’s middle and third row seats recline. The MDX’s third row seats don’t recline.

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

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers or raises the Sequoia’s optional third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The MDX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Sequoia’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The MDX’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The Sequoia’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the MDX’s (7100 vs. 3500 pounds).

The Sequoia has a higher standard payload capacity than the MDX (1250 vs. 1173 lbs.).

The Sequoia has a higher maximum payload capacity than the MDX (1350 vs. 1173 lbs.).

The engine in the Sequoia is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the MDX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The Sequoia’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The MDX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Sequoia has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The MDX doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Sequoia’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The MDX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Sequoia, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Acura MDX isn't recommended.