Compare the2026 Mitsubishi OutlanderVS 2026 Acura MDX

The Outlander 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.

With its standard Forward Collision Mitigation with Pedestrian Detection, the Mitsubishi Outlander is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Acura MDX, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

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

Both the Outlander 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, front wheel drive, 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, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

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

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

Mitsubishi pays for scheduled maintenance (up to 3 visits) on the Outlander for 1 year and 18000 miles longer than Acura pays for maintenance for the MDX (2/30,000 vs. 1/12000).

There are over 15 percent more Mitsubishi dealers than there are Acura dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Outlander’s warranty.

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

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Outlander’s reliability 24 points higher than the MDX.

On the EPA test cycle the Outlander gets better mileage than the MDX:

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mitsubishi Outlander uses regular unleaded gasoline. The MDX requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Outlander has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The MDX doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Outlander’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.

For better maneuverability, the Outlander’s turning circle is 3.8 feet tighter than the MDX’s (36.7 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outlander ES/Trail has a greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (8.3 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Outlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Mitsubishi Outlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 800 pounds less than the Acura MDX.

The Outlander is 1 foot shorter than the MDX, making the Outlander easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Outlander 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.

The Outlander has 2.1 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more rear headroom, 1.4 inches more rear legroom and 1.5 inches more third row hip room than the MDX.

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

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Outlander’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The MDX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Outlander S-AWC has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The MDX doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Outlander has standard extendable sun visors. The MDX doesn’t offer extendable visors.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander retains 48.85% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 46.29% resale value of the 2025 Acura MDX after five years, which can save the Mitsubishi’s owner up to $12659 in depreciation.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Outlander third among compact suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The MDX isn’t in the top three.

The Mitsubishi Outlander outsold the Acura MDX by 729 units during 2025.