Compare the2025 Mazda CX-90VS 2025 Acura MDX

With its standard Smart Brake Support, the Mazda CX-90 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Acura MDX, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

The CX-90 Premium has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, 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 CX-90. But it costs extra on the MDX.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the CX-90’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The MDX doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the CX-90 and MDX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (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 CX-90 and the MDX 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, 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 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the CX-90 is safer than the MDX:

There are almost 2 times as many Mazda dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-90’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the CX-90’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the MDX’s camshafts. If the MDX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Acura is rated below average.

The CX-90 has more powerful engines than the MDX:

As tested in Motor Trend the CX-90 PHEV 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Acura MDX V6:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-90 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the MDX:

The CX-90 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 26 miles. The MDX can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the CX-90’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The MDX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The CX-90 Turbo S’ standard fuel tank has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the MDX (19.6 vs. 18.5 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mazda CX-90 higher (6 out of 10) than the Acura MDX (5). This means the CX-90 produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the MDX every 15,000 miles.

The CX-90’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 CX-90 stops much shorter than the MDX:

For better traction, the CX-90 has larger standard tires than the MDX (265/55R19 vs. 255/55R19).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-90’s wheelbase is 9 inches longer than on the MDX (122.8 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

The CX-90’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.7% to 48.3%) than the MDX’s (57% to 43%). This gives the CX-90 more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the CX-90’s turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the MDX’s (38.1 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-90 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (8 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the CX-90 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The CX-90 offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the MDX can only carry 7.

The CX-90 has 2.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the MDX (141.6 vs. 139.1).

The CX-90 has 1.2 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear legroom, .7 inches more third row headroom and 1.3 inches more third row legroom than the MDX.

The engine in the CX-90 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 CX-90 and the MDX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the CX-90 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 CX-90’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.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-90 Turbo S has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The MDX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S has standard front air conditioned seats and the CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The MDX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.