Compare the2022 Ford ExplorerVS 2022 Acura MDX

The Explorer has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The MDX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Explorer 4WD’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The MDX doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Explorer 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 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

There are over 11 times as many Ford dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Explorer’s warranty.

The Explorer has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The MDX doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford 14th in initial quality. With 38 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 26th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 6 places higher in reliability than Acura.

The Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 10 more horsepower (300 vs. 290) and 43 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 267) than the MDX’s 3.5 SOHC V6. The Explorer’s optional 3.3 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 28 more horsepower (318 vs. 290) and 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (322 vs. 267) than the MDX’s 3.5 SOHC V6. The Explorer ST/Platinum/King Ranch/Timberline’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 110 more horsepower (400 vs. 290) and 148 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 267) than the MDX’s 3.5 SOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Explorer turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Acura MDX:

On the EPA test cycle the Explorer gets better mileage than the MDX:

Regenerative brakes improve the Explorer Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The MDX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Explorer V6 Turbo’s standard fuel tank has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the MDX (20.2 vs. 18.5 gallons).

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

The Explorer ST’s optional 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 Explorer stops much shorter than the MDX:

For better traction, the Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the MDX (275/45R21 vs. 255/55R19).

The Explorer’s optional 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 optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer offers optional 21-inch wheels. The MDX’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The MDX doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The Explorer’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 Explorer’s wheelbase is 5.3 inches longer than on the MDX (119.1 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

The Explorer’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the MDX’s (58% to 42%). This gives the Explorer more stable handling and braking.

The Explorer ST 4WD handles at .85 G’s, while the MDX SH-AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Explorer ST 4WD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the MDX SH-AWD (26.4 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Explorer’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the MDX’s (38.7 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Explorer ST has a greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (7.9 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Explorer Timberline’s minimum ground clearance is 1.4 inches higher than on the MDX (8.7 vs. 7.3 inches).

The front grille of the Explorer uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The MDX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Explorer has 13.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the MDX (152.7 vs. 139.1).

The Explorer has 2.2 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front legroom, 2.4 inches more rear headroom, .5 inches more rear legroom, 1.3 inches more rear hip room, 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.7 inches more third row headroom, 3.1 inches more third row legroom and .3 inches more third row hip room than the MDX.

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

The Explorer 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.

Pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the Explorer’s (except Base/XLT/Timberline) optional third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The MDX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Maximum trailer towing in the Acura MDX is limited to 5000 pounds. The Explorer offers up to a 5600 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the Explorer 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 Explorer and the MDX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Explorer 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.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Explorer’s available exterior PIN entry system. The MDX doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its AcuraLink can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Explorer Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The MDX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Explorer’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.

The Explorer ST/Platinum 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 Explorer’s optional Active Park Assist 2.0 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 Ford Explorer outsold the Acura MDX by almost four to one during the 2021 model year.