Compare the2023 Acura MDXVS 2023 Cadillac XT5

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Acura MDX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Cadillac XT5 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

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 XT5 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The MDX has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the MDX has standard Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The MDX’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The XT5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the MDX and the XT5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Acura MDX is safer than the Cadillac XT5:

	MDX	XT5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	107	112
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	105 lbs.	151 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	142	183
Spine Acceleration	41 G’s	43 G’s
Hip Force	168 lbs.	825 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	12 inches
Hip Force	424 lbs.	799 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the MDX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XT5 last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Safety Pick” in 2017.

Warranty

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the MDX for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Acura will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the XT5.

Reliability

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 MDX’s reliability 16 points higher than the XT5.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 9 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

Engine

The MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 55 more horsepower (290 vs. 235) and 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (267 vs. 258) than the XT5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 45 more horsepower (355 vs. 310) and 83 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 271) than the XT5’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Acura MDX is faster than the Cadillac XT5 V6:

	MDX V6	MDX Type S	XT5
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	5.4 sec	6.6 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	17.6 sec	13.8 sec	17.8 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.6 sec	5.8 sec	7 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	14 sec	15.2 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the MDX 3.5 SOHC V6 SH-AWD gets better fuel mileage than the XT5 3.6 DOHC V6 AWD (19 city/25 hwy vs. 18 city/25 hwy).

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura MDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the XT5.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the MDX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XT5:

	MDX	MDX Type S	XT5
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	14.3 inches	13.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13 inches	12.4 inches

The MDX stops shorter than the XT5:

	MDX	XT5
70 to 0 MPH	170 feet	174 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the MDX has larger standard tires than the XT5 (255/55R19 vs. 235/65R18). The MDX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XT5 (275/40R21 vs. 235/65R18).

The MDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XT5’s standard 65 series tires. The MDX Type S’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the XT5’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the MDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XT5. The MDX Type S’ 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the XT5.

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 XT5 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the MDX can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The XT5 doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

The MDX Type S has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The MDX’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 XT5 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the MDX’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the XT5 (113.8 inches vs. 112.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the MDX is 2.9 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than on the XT5.

The MDX Type S handles at .87 G’s, while the XT5 AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the MDX Type S has a 1.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XT5 (9.4 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the MDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

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 XT5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the MDX Type S is quieter than the XT5 AWD:

	MDX	XT5
At idle	36 dB	44 dB
Full-Throttle	76 dB	77 dB
70 MPH Cruising	68 dB	68 dB

Passenger Space

The MDX has standard seating for 7 passengers; the XT5 can only carry 5.

The MDX has 34.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XT5 (139.1 vs. 104.5).

The MDX has .4 inches more front legroom, 3.2 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, 3 inches more rear hip room and 4 inches more rear shoulder room than the XT5.

Cargo Capacity

The MDX’s cargo area provides more volume than the XT5.

	MDX	XT5
Third Seat Folded	48.4 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	30.2 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	95 cubic feet	63 cubic feet

Towing

The MDX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT5’s (3500 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Cadillac XT5 is only 3500 pounds. The MDX SH-AWD offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport, 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 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 XT5’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 XT5 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The MDX has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The XT5 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The MDX’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The XT5’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The MDX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the XT5’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the MDX to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XT5 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The MDX Type S Advance has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the XT5.

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) in the center console. Only the XT5 Premium Luxury/Sport offers wireless 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 XT5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Economic Advantages

The MDX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the MDX will retain 45.63% to 46.51% of its original price after five years, while the XT5 only retains 42.02% to 43.14%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Acura MDX and the Cadillac XT5, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Acura MDX outsold the Cadillac XT5 by 70% during 2022.