Compare the2023 Acura MDXVS 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Acura MDX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the MDX and the Highlander Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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 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 Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

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 Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the MDX is 1.3% to 1.8% less likely to roll over than the Highlander Hybrid.

The MDX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Highlander Hybrid’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the MDX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the Highlander Hybrid. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Highlander Hybrid ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 47 more horsepower (290 vs. 243) than the Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 112 more horsepower (355 vs. 243) than the Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Acura MDX V6 is faster than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

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

Both the MDX and Highlander Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The MDX has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The MDX has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Highlander Hybrid (18.5 vs. 17.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the MDX’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Highlander Hybrid:

The MDX stops shorter than the Highlander Hybrid:

For better traction, the MDX has larger standard tires than the Highlander Hybrid (255/55R19 vs. 235/65R18). The MDX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Highlander Hybrid (275/40R21 vs. 235/65R18).

The MDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Highlander Hybrid LE/XLE/Bronze’s standard 65 series tires. The MDX Type S’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the MDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Highlander Hybrid LE/XLE/Bronze. The MDX Type S’ 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum.

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 Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the MDX can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The MDX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Highlander Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

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 Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the MDX’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Highlander Hybrid (113.8 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the MDX is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than on the Highlander Hybrid.

The MDX SH-AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The MDX SH-AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the MDX Type S has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Highlander Hybrid (9.4 vs. 8 inches), allowing the MDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

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

The MDX has 2.1 inches more front hip room, 2.9 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear hip room, 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room, .1 inches more third row headroom, 1.1 inches more third row legroom and .2 inches more third row shoulder room than the Highlander Hybrid.

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

Maximum trailer towing in the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is limited to 3500 pounds. The MDX SH-AWD offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The MDX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Highlander Hybrid uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 23% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 20th.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum, the MDX offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The MDX’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The MDX’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Highlander Hybrid’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

The MDX Type S Advance has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Highlander Hybrid.

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. Only the Highlander Hybrid XLE/Bronze/Limited/Platinum offers wireless charging.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Acura MDX and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.