Compare the2023 Mazda CX-9VS 2023 Acura MDX

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-9. But it costs extra on the MDX.

Both the CX-9 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda CX-9 is safer than the Acura MDX:

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

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 Mazda CX-9 is safer than the Acura MDX:

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

There are over 2 times as many Mazda dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-9’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the CX-9’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’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. With 12 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mazda higher than Acura.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 13 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 2023 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda fourth in overall reliability. Acura is ranked 8th.

The CX-9’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 53 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 267) than the MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-9 is faster than the Acura MDX V6:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-9 gets better mileage than the MDX:

The CX-9 has a gallon more fuel capacity than the MDX (19.5 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CX-9 stops much shorter than the MDX:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-9’s wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the MDX (115.3 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

The CX-9’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (54.7% to 45.3%) than the MDX’s (57.4% to 42.6%). This gives the CX-9 more stable handling and braking.

The CX-9 Signature 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 CX-9 Signature executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the MDX SH-AWD (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-9’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the MDX’s (38.8 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-9 has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (8.8 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the CX-9 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the CX-9 Signature is quieter than the MDX Type S:

The CX-9 has .8 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more third row legroom than the MDX.

The CX-9’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.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-9 Carbon Edition/Grand Touring/Signature has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The MDX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mazda CX-9 will be $8057 to $9877 less than for the Acura MDX.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-9 and the Acura MDX, based on reliability, safety and performance.