Compare the2023 GMC YukonVS 2023 Acura MDX

The Yukon (except SLE with front bench seat) has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The MDX doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Yukon AT4/Denali 4WD’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The MDX doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Yukon and the MDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The GMC Yukon weighs 702 to 1651 pounds more than the Acura MDX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Yukon’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the MDX’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 6 times as many GMC dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Yukon’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Yukon’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the MDX’s camshafts. If the MDX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Yukon second among large suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The MDX isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Acura With 52 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks GMC higher than Acura.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks GMC 12 places higher in reliability than Acura.

The Yukon’s standard 5.3 V8 produces 65 more horsepower (355 vs. 290) and 116 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 267) than the MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6. The Yukon’s 5.3 V8 produces 29 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 354) than the MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6. The Yukon’s optional 6.2 V8 produces 65 more horsepower (420 vs. 355) and 106 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 354) than the MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6.

The Yukon’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 193 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 267) than the MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6. The Yukon’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 106 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 354) than the MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the GMC Yukon 5.3 V8 is faster than the Acura MDX V6:

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

The Yukon has 5.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the MDX (24 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Yukon’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 Yukon stops shorter than the MDX:

For better traction, the Yukon has larger standard tires than the MDX (265/65R18 vs. 255/55R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Yukon offers optional 22-inch wheels. The MDX’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The GMC Yukon’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Acura MDX only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Yukon 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Yukon’s wheelbase is 7.1 inches longer than on the MDX (120.9 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Yukon’s turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the MDX’s (38.1 feet vs. 40.5 feet). The Yukon w/20-22 inch wheels’ turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the MDX’s (39.7 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Yukon has a greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (8 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Yukon to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Yukon AT4 Air Ride’s minimum ground clearance is .6 inch higher than on the MDX Type S (10 vs. 9.4 inches).

The front grille of the Yukon (except Diesel) 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 Yukon offers optional seating for 9 passengers; the MDX can only carry 7.

The Yukon has 29.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the MDX (168.3 vs. 139.1).

The Yukon has 3.8 inches more front headroom, 2.9 inches more front legroom, 2.2 inches more front hip room, 4.1 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 3.5 inches more rear legroom, 3.5 inches more rear hip room, 4.5 inches more rear shoulder room, 2 inches more third row headroom, 5.8 inches more third row legroom, 8.8 inches more third row hip room and 7.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the MDX.

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

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Yukon’s (not available on SLE) optional second row seats and pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The MDX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Yukon’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the MDX’s (7700 vs. 3500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Acura MDX SH-AWD is only 5000 pounds. The Yukon offers up to a 8400 lbs. towing capacity.

The Yukon 4WD with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Yukon can be unhitched and driven around locally. The MDX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Yukon has a much higher standard payload capacity than the MDX (1702 vs. 1173 lbs.).

The Yukon has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the MDX (1792 vs. 1173 lbs.).

The engine in the Yukon 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 Yukon’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.

The power windows standard on both the Yukon and the MDX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Yukon 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 Yukon’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.

The Yukon SLT/AT4/Denali’s standard rear view mirror and optional 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 Yukon Denali’s optional Enhanced Automatic 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.

Insurance will cost less for the Yukon owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Yukon will cost $240 less than the MDX over a five-year period.

The Yukon will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Yukon will retain 51.37% to 52.71% of its original price after five years, while the MDX only retains 45.63% to 46.51%.

The GMC Yukon/Yukon XL outsold the Acura MDX by 34% during the 2021 model year.