Compare the2022 Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain WagonVS 2022 Acura MDX

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The MDX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon. But it costs extra on the MDX.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s standard Downhill Speed Regulation allows you to creep down safely. The MDX doesn’t offer Downhill Speed Regulation.

Both the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon and the MDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available lane departure warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

There are over 41 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Acura dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s reliability 13 points higher than the MDX.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 25th in initial quality. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 26th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mercedes 8 places higher in reliability than Acura.

The E 450 All-Terrain Wagon’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 72 more horsepower (362 vs. 290) and 102 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 267) than the MDX’s 3.5 SOHC V6. The E 450 All-Terrain Wagon’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 7 more horsepower (362 vs. 355) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 354) than the MDX Type-S’ 3.0 Turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon gets better mileage than the MDX:

Regenerative brakes improve the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The MDX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the MDX (21.1 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon higher (6 out of 10) than the Acura MDX (5). This means the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Acura MDX every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s brake rotors are larger than those standard on the MDX:

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’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.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the MDX’s standard 55 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The MDX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The front and rear suspension of the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the MDX, which uses coil springs on its standard suspension. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The MDX’s standard suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The MDX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The MDX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the MDX (115.7 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the MDX’s (58% to 42%). This gives the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the MDX’s (39 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is 3.6 inches shorter than the MDX, making the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is 5.6 inches narrower than the MDX, making the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is 8.2 inches shorter in height than the MDX, making the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has .1 inches more front legroom and .1 inches more rear headroom than the MDX.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The MDX doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The MDX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The engine in the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon 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 power windows standard on both the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon and the MDX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The MDX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The MDX’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The MDX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The MDX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s standard 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.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the MDX.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The MDX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Mercedes E-Class comes in coupe, convertible, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Acura MDX isn’t available as a coupe, convertible or sedan.

The E 450/E 53 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2 of the last 4 years. The MDX has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.