Compare the2024 Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain WagonVS 2024 Acura MDX

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s 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.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has standard whiplash protection, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the whiplash protection system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The MDX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a standard Post 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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon. But it costs extra on the MDX.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s standard Downhill Speed Regulation allows you to creep down safely. The MDX doesn’t offer Downhill Speed Regulation.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The MDX doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon and MDX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has Active Brake 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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

There are over 41 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Acura dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s warranty.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 85 more horsepower (375 vs. 290) and 102 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 267) than the MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 20 more horsepower (375 vs. 355) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 354) than the MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon gets better mileage than the MDX:

Regenerative brakes improve the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The MDX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

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

For better stopping power the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the MDX:

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the MDX’s standard 55 series tires. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s optional 285/35R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the MDX Type S’ 40 series tires.

The front and rear suspension of the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the MDX, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s 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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the MDX (116.6 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better maneuverability, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the MDX’s (39.4 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is 3.5 inches shorter than the MDX, making the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon is 8.2 inches shorter in height than the MDX, making the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has .1 inches more rear headroom and 2 inches more rear hip room than the MDX.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has a much larger cargo volume than the MDX with its rear seat up (33.1 vs. 18.1 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The MDX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The engine in the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon 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.

The power windows standard on both the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon and the MDX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon 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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Access System standard on the MDX doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The MDX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The MDX doesn’t offer cornering lights. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote 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.

The Mercedes E-Class comes in coupe, convertible, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Acura MDX isn’t available as a coupe, convertible or sedan.