Compare the2025 Genesis GV80VS 2024 Acura MDX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The GV80’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The MDX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the GV80 and MDX have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The GV80 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The MDX’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The GV80 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.

The GV80 offers an optional Multi-Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The MDX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GV80. But it costs extra on the MDX.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the GV80’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The MDX doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

Both the GV80 and MDX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the GV80 has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The MDX’s Rear Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the GV80 and the MDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, driver alert monitors and available 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 Genesis GV80 is safer than the Acura MDX:

	GV80	MDX
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	24.1%	29%
Neck Stress	157 lbs.	304 lbs.
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	59 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	254/334 lbs.	463/521 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	263	288
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.7 inches
Neck Compression	65 lbs.	75 lbs.

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the GV80 is safer than the MDX:

	GV80	MDX
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	POOR

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 Genesis GV80 is safer than the Acura MDX:

	GV80	MDX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	29	107
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.6 inches
Abdominal Force	101 lbs.	105 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	70	142
Spine Acceleration	26 G’s	41 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	290	549

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

Warranty

The GV80 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The MDX’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Genesis’ powertrain warranty covers the GV80 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 GV80’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the MDX’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Genesis pays for scheduled maintenance on the GV80 for 1 year and 12000 miles longer than Acura pays for maintenance for the MDX (3/36,000 vs. 2/24,000).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GV80 third among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The MDX isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis above average in initial quality. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are more reliable than Acura With 16 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Genesis higher than Acura.

Engine

The GV80 2.5T’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 10 more horsepower (300 vs. 290) and 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 267) than the MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6. The GV80 3.5T’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 20 more horsepower (375 vs. 355) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (391 vs. 354) than the MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the GV80 2.5T 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Acura MDX V6:

	GV80	MDX
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	7.5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.3 MPH	88.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the GV80 2.5T 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder gets better fuel mileage than the MDX Type S 3.0 turbo V6 (19 city/24 hwy vs. 17 city/21 hwy).

The GV80 has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the MDX (21.1 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GV80’s brake rotors are larger than those on the MDX:

	GV80 2.5T	GV80 3.5T	MDX	MDX Type S
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	14.9 inches	13.8 inches	14.3 inches
Rear Rotors	14.2 inches	14.2 inches	13 inches	13 inches

The GV80’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 GV80 stops much shorter than the MDX:

	GV80	MDX
70 to 0 MPH	163 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	133 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GV80 has larger tires than the MDX (265/40R22 vs. 255/55R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GV80 offers optional 22-inch wheels. The MDX’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The GV80’s optional drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The MDX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GV80’s wheelbase is 2.5 inches longer than on the MDX (116.3 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

The GV80’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the MDX’s (57.4% to 42.6%). This gives the GV80 more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the GV80’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the MDX’s (39.3 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the GV80 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (8.1 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the GV80 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The GV80 is 3.7 inches shorter than the MDX, making the GV80 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the GV80 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.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the GV80 Prestige is quieter than the MDX Type S (74 vs. 76 dB).

Passenger Space

The GV80 has 1.7 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more rear headroom, .2 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more third row legroom than the MDX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the GV80’s middle and third row seats recline. The MDX’s third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

Pressing a button automatically lowers the GV80’s second row seats and pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The MDX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The GV80’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the MDX’s (6000 vs. 3500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the GV80 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the MDX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the GV80 and the MDX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the GV80 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The MDX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The GV80’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.

The GV80’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The MDX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The GV80 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the MDX.

Both the Genesis GV80 and the Acura MDX have a standard Qi wireless phone charging system in the front seat. To easily keep personal devices charged in the second row seat, without cables tangling and wearing out, the GV80 also offers an optional wireless charging system.

The GV80 Advanced/Prestige’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The MDX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The GV80 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2021. The MDX hasn’t been picked since 2001.

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