Compare the2023 BMW X5VS 2023 Acura MDX

The X5’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.

The X5 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The MDX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X5 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies 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 X5’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The MDX doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the X5 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, 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.

The X5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the MDX’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 for 1 year and 12000 miles longer than Acura pays for maintenance for the MDX (3/36,000 vs. 2/24,000).

There are over 30 percent more BMW dealers than there are Acura dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X5’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the X5’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 X5 third among upper midsize premium 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 BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 27 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 BMW vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Acura is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 16 places higher in reliability than Acura.

The X5 40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 45 more horsepower (335 vs. 290) and 64 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 267) than the MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6. The X5 M50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 168 more horsepower (523 vs. 355) and 199 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 354) than the MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the X5 40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Acura MDX V6:

On the EPA test cycle the X5 gets better mileage than the MDX:

Regenerative brakes improve the X5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The MDX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X5 has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the MDX (21.9 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X5’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The MDX doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X5 M Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the MDX:

The X5’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 X5 stops much shorter than the MDX:

For better traction, the X5 has larger standard tires than the MDX (265/50R19 vs. 255/55R19).

The X5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the MDX’s standard 55 series tires. The X5’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the MDX Type S’ 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 offers optional 22-inch wheels. The MDX’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The X5 M50i offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The MDX doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The X5 M50i offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Acura doesn’t offer an active suspension on the MDX.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5’s wheelbase is 3.3 inches longer than on the MDX (117.1 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

The X5’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.2% to 49.8%) than the MDX’s (58% to 42%). This gives the X5 more stable handling and braking.

The X5 xDrive40i handles at .89 G’s, while the MDX Type S pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X5 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the MDX SH-AWD (25.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X5 has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (8.7 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the X5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The X5 is 4.1 inches shorter than the MDX, making the X5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the X5 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 X5 has 2.2 inches more front headroom and .6 inches more rear headroom than the MDX.

The X5 has a much larger cargo volume than the MDX with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 18.1 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X5’s second row seats and pressing a button automatically lowers the X5’s optional third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The MDX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The X5’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The MDX’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The X5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the MDX’s (5952 vs. 3500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Acura MDX SH-AWD is only 5000 pounds. The X5 offers up to a 7209 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the X5 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 X5 and the MDX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the X5 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 X5’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 nozzles are standard on the X5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The MDX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X5 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The MDX doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X5 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The X5’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 X5’s optional Parking Assistant Plus 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 X5 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the X5 will retain 47.3% to 48.55% of its original price after five years, while the MDX only retains 45.63% to 46.51%.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW X5 and the Acura MDX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW X5 outsold the Acura MDX by 6% during 2020.