Compare the2023 Mitsubishi OutlanderVS 2023 Acura MDX

The Outlander 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 Outlander’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The MDX doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Outlander 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 and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Outlander comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The MDX’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Acura covers the MDX. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the MDX ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

The Outlander’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the MDX’s (7 vs. 5 years).

There are over 19 percent more Mitsubishi dealers than there are Acura dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Outlander’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Outlander’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 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi above average in long-term dependability. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Acura is rated below average.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mitsubishi Outlander uses regular unleaded gasoline. The MDX requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mitsubishi Outlander higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Acura MDX (5). This means the Outlander produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the MDX every 15,000 miles.

The Outlander has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The MDX doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Outlander’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 Outlander stops much shorter than the MDX:

The Outlander SEL AWC handles at .87 G’s, while the MDX SH-AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Outlander’s turning circle is 4.4 feet tighter than the MDX’s (36.1 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outlander ES has a greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (8.3 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Outlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Mitsubishi Outlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 1000 pounds less than the Acura MDX.

The Outlander is 1 foot, 1 inches shorter than the MDX, making the Outlander easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Outlander 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 Outlander has 2.1 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more rear headroom, 1.4 inches more rear legroom and 1.5 inches more third row hip room than the MDX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Outlander’s middle and third row seats recline. The MDX’s third row seats don’t recline.

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

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Outlander S-AWC has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The MDX doesn’t offer headlight washers.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mitsubishi Outlander will be $16098 to $16173 less than for the Acura MDX.

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