Compare the2025 Acura MDXVS 2024 Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon

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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The MDX’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon.

Both the MDX and the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Acura MDX has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned an “Acceptable” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the MDX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes With 2 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Acura higher than Mercedes.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura fourth in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 29th.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the MDX’s fuel efficiency. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura MDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The MDX has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon (18.5 vs. 17.4 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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura MDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon.

For better traction, the MDX has larger standard tires than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon (255/55R19 vs. 225/45R19). The MDX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon (275/40R21 vs. 255/40R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the MDX Type S has standard 21-inch wheels. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

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 E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The MDX SH-AWD has a standard space-saver spare (not available on FWD/Type S) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the MDX is 3.6 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon.

For greater off-road capability the MDX has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon (7.3 vs. 5.8 inches), allowing the MDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The MDX Type S’ minimum ground clearance is 3.6 inches higher than on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon (9.4 vs. 5.8 inches).

The Acura MDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain Wagon.

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

The MDX has standard seating for 7 passengers; the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon can only carry 5.

The MDX has 1 inch more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 4.1 inches more front shoulder room, 2.4 inches more rear legroom and 3.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the MDX’s middle row seats recline. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon’s rear seats don’t recline.

The MDX’s cargo area provides more volume than the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the MDX uses the Vehicle Stability Assist sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Acura 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 12% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 17th.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the MDX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the E-Class All-Terrain Wagon only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The MDX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The E-Class All-Terrain Wagon doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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

The Acura MDX outsold the Mercedes E-Class/CLS by over three to one during 2023.