Compare the2023 Acura MDXVS 2023 Honda Pilot

Both the MDX and the Pilot 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.

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 Pilot has not been tested, yet.

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 Pilot’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 Honda covers the Pilot. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Pilot ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the MDX’s reliability 14 points higher than the Pilot.

The MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 5 more horsepower (290 vs. 285) and 5 lbs.-ft. more torque (267 vs. 262) than the Pilot’s 3.5 DOHC V6. The MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 70 more horsepower (355 vs. 285) and 92 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 262) than the Pilot’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the MDX 3.5 SOHC V6 SH-AWD gets better fuel mileage than the Pilot TrailSport 4WD (19 city/25 hwy vs. 18 city/23 hwy).

For better stopping power the MDX Type S’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Pilot:

For better traction, the MDX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pilot (275/40R21 vs. 265/60R18).

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 Pilot EX-L’s standard 60 series tires. The MDX Type S’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Pilot Sport/Touring/Elite’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the MDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Pilot EX-L. The MDX Type S’ 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Pilot Sport/Touring/Elite.

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 Pilot 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 Pilot’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 Pilot doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For greater off-road capability the MDX Type S has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Pilot TrailSport (9.4 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the MDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The MDX has .6 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front hip room and .4 inches more rear hip room than the Pilot.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Honda. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 36% lower rating, Honda is ranked 25th.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite, 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.

If the windows are left open on the MDX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Pilot can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Pilot’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The MDX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite.

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 Pilot.

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 Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite offers wireless charging.

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