Compare the2025 Chevrolet TahoeVS 2025 Acura MDX

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

Safety

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The Tahoe (except LS with front bench seat) 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Tahoe 4WD’s optional Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The MDX doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Tahoe and MDX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Tahoe 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 Tahoe and the MDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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 and available all wheel drive.

The Chevrolet Tahoe weighs 733 to 1614 pounds more than the Acura MDX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Tahoe is safer than the Acura MDX:

	Tahoe	MDX
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	146	244
Neck Injury Risk	23%	29%
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	59 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	152/161 lbs.	463/521 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	233	288
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.7 inches
Neck Compression	66 lbs.	75 lbs.

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

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 Chevrolet Tahoe is safer than the Acura MDX:

	Tahoe	MDX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	25	107
Hip Force	118 lbs.	226 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	88	142
Spine Acceleration	24 G’s	41 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	239	549
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	40 G’s

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

Warranty

The Tahoe’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the MDX’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are almost 11 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Tahoe’s warranty.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Tahoe’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.

The Tahoe has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The MDX doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Tahoe first among large 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 Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 18th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 42 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 20th.

Engine

The Tahoe’s standard 5.3 V8 produces 65 more horsepower (355 vs. 290) and 116 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 267) than the MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6. The Tahoe’s 5.3 V8 produces 29 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 354) than the MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6. The Tahoe’s optional 6.2 V8 produces 65 more horsepower (420 vs. 355) and 106 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 354) than the MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6.

The Tahoe’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 15 more horsepower (305 vs. 290) and 228 lbs.-ft. more torque (495 vs. 267) than the MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6. The Tahoe’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 141 lbs.-ft. more torque (495 vs. 354) than the MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Tahoe has 5.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the MDX (24 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Tahoe	MDX	MDX Type S
Front Rotors	16.1 inches	13.8 inches	14.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	13 inches	13 inches

The Tahoe’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.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Tahoe has larger standard tires than the MDX (265/65R18 vs. 255/55R19). The Tahoe RST/High Country’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the MDX (285/40R24 vs. 275/40R21).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tahoe RST/High Country offers optional 24-inch wheels. The MDX’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Chevrolet Tahoe’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Acura MDX only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Tahoe has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the MDX; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tahoe’s wheelbase is 7.1 inches longer than on the MDX (120.9 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

The Tahoe’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the MDX’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Tahoe more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the Tahoe’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the MDX’s (37.8 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Tahoe has a greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (8 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Tahoe to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Tahoe Z71 Air Ride’s minimum ground clearance is .6 inch higher than on the MDX Type S (10 vs. 9.4 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the Tahoe 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 cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Tahoe Z71 4x4 is quieter than the MDX Type S (66 vs. 68 dB).

Passenger Space

The Tahoe offers optional seating for 9 passengers; the MDX can only carry 7.

The Tahoe has 29.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the MDX (168.3 vs. 139.1).

The Tahoe has 3.8 inches more front headroom, 2.9 inches more front legroom, 2.2 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 3.5 inches more rear legroom, 3.5 inches more rear hip room, 4.3 inches more rear shoulder room, 2 inches more third row headroom, 5.8 inches more third row legroom, 8.8 inches more third row hip room and 7.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the MDX.

Cargo Capacity

The Tahoe’s cargo area provides more volume than the MDX.

	Tahoe	MDX
Behind Third Seat	25.5 cubic feet	18.1 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	72.5 cubic feet	48.4 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	122.7 cubic feet	95 cubic feet

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Tahoe’s (not available on LS) optional second row seats and pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The MDX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Payload and Towing

The Tahoe’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the MDX’s (7700 vs. 3500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Acura MDX SH-AWD is only 5000 pounds. The Tahoe offers up to a 8400 lbs. towing capacity.

The Tahoe 4WD with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Tahoe can be unhitched and driven around locally. The MDX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Tahoe has a much higher standard payload capacity than the MDX (1746 vs. 1173 lbs.).

The Tahoe has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the MDX (1834 vs. 1173 lbs.).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Tahoe 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 Tahoe’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The MDX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Tahoe and the MDX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Tahoe 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.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Tahoe’s available exterior PIN entry system. The MDX doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its AcuraLink can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Tahoe’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, 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 Tahoe’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 Tahoe’s Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The MDX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Tahoe owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Tahoe will cost $300 less than the MDX over a five-year period.

The Tahoe will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Tahoe will retain 55.19% to 57.88% of its original price after five years, while the MDX only retains 50.63% to 53.63%.

Recommendations

The Chevrolet Tahoe outsold the Acura MDX by almost two to one during 2023.

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