Compare the2023 Acura MDXVS 2023 BMW X5

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 BMW X5 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Acura MDX are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the MDX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The X5 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the MDX and the X5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura MDX is safer than the BMW X5:

	MDX	X5
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	29%	34%
Neck Stress	304 lbs.	308 lbs.
Neck Compression	59 lbs.	112 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	463/521 lbs.	636/584 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	288	342
Chest Compression	.7 inches	.8 inches
Neck Injury Risk	30%	35%
Neck Stress	122 lbs.	220 lbs.
Neck Compression	75 lbs.	91 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	392/458 lbs.	527/418 lbs.

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 Acura MDX is safer than the BMW X5:

	MDX	X5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.6 inches
Abdominal Force	105 lbs.	130 lbs.
Hip Force	226 lbs.	279 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	168 lbs.	584 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	44 G’s
Hip Force	424 lbs.	796 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 X5 was last a “Top Safety Pick Plus” in 2019 but no longer qualifies.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the MDX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the X5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 20 more horsepower (355 vs. 335) and 23 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 331) than the X5 40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the MDX 3.5 SOHC V6 SH-AWD gets better fuel mileage than the X5 M50i (19 city/25 hwy vs. 16 city/22 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the MDX’s fuel efficiency. The X5 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the MDX and the X5 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All MDXs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch for start/stop is only offered on the X5 M50i.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura MDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The X5 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The MDX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The X5 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Acura MDX higher (5 out of 10) than the BMW X5 (3). This means the MDX produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X5 every 15,000 miles.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura MDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the X5.

The MDX stops shorter than the X5:

	MDX	X5
70 to 0 MPH	170 feet	172 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	142 feet	Consumer Reports

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 X5 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

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 X5 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the MDX is 1.4 inches wider in the front and .7 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X5.

The MDX SH-AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the X5 xDrive40i pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the MDX’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the X5’s (40.5 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the MDX Type S has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X5 (9.4 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the MDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Acura MDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 550 pounds less than the BMW X5.

The MDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The X5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the MDX Type S is quieter than the X5 xDrive40i (36 vs. 39 dB).

The MDX has 1.8 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear legroom and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the X5.

The MDX’s cargo area provides more volume than the X5.

	MDX	X5
Third Seat Folded	48.4 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	33.9 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	95 cubic feet	72.3 cubic feet

The MDX’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the MDX uses the Vehicle Stability Assist sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The MDX has a much higher standard payload capacity than the X5 (1173 vs. 827 lbs.).

The MDX has a higher maximum payload capacity than the X5 (1173 vs. 1030 lbs.).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 5% lower rating, BMW is ranked 7th.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the MDX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X5 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Consumer Reports rated the MDX’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the X5’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

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. Wireless charging costs extra on the X5.

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 X5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the MDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the MDX will cost $2825 to $5165 less than the X5 over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Acura MDX will be $12751 to $20838 less than for the BMW X5.

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