2022 acura mdx vs 2022 toyota highlander

There are different approaches in the 3-row midsize SUV segment with the 2020 Acura MDX and 2020 Toyota Highlander as two examples. Let’s take a closer look at how they compare.

2020 Acura MDX

2020 Acura MDX Starting Price: $45,395 Price Yours or View listings near you 

Above Average: Advanced all-wheel drive system; available hybrid model; roomier third row; known for reliability and solid resale.

Below Average: Interior design needs updating; complicated split-level screens; lacks the panache of European luxury brands.

Consensus: The 2020 Acura MDX won KBB’s 5-year Cost to Own Award in 2019 for its reliability, resale, and reputation.

2020 Toyota Highlander

2020 Toyota Highlander Starting Price: $35,720 | Price Yours or View listings near you

Above Average: Standard V6 engine; available hybrid; brimming with safety features; known for exceptional reliability; good resale value.

Below Average: Higher starting price than most rivals; third row is snug for adults.

Consensus: The 2020 Toyota Highlander is a practical 3-row midsize SUV with a standard suite of safety features, a hybrid option, and excellent reliability and resale values.

MDX vs. Highlander: Two modes of reliability

Acura MDX

The 2020 Acura MDX is a roomy and comfortable luxury SUV that comes equipped with a suite of safety and technology. The MDX is offered with one of two powertrains, a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 290 horsepower and is mated to a 9-speed automatic, or in the MDX Sport Hybrid which uses a 3.0-liter V6 combined with an electric motor and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Acura’s Super-Handling all-wheel-drive (SH-AWD) is optional on all versions of the MDX, and while it not only improves handling in all kinds of weather, it’s one of our favorite features on the SUV. It is not available on the hybrid version, however. One quibble we have about the MDX is the perplexing dual-screen system that adds unnecessary confusion.

Toyota Highlander

The all-new Toyota Highlander, now in its fourth generation, has more technology, new amenities, and is slightly larger for 2020. Powered by a standard V6 engine that puts out 295-horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque, the Highlander is also offered with a hybrid powertrain that returns up to 36 mpg. With three rows of seating, the Highlander can be equipped for seven or eight passengers, but the third row is better suited for children than full-size adults. The cargo area in the Highlander is spacious with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seat, stretching to 84 cubic feet with second and third rows folded. The interior is comfortable and rivals luxury SUVs, especially with the leather offered in the Platinum trim. The climate, navigation, and audio controls are straightforward and easy to use. The Toyota Highlander comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa.

Similarities

Seating for seven; powerful V6; optional hybrid; small third row.

Acura MDX Advantages

Sporty handling; reliability; resale; and reputation.

Toyota Highlander Advantages

Lower price; hybrid version rated up to 36 mpg; two AWD versions; great resale and reliability.

Final Recommendation

The Acura MDX and Toyota Highlander both have reliability, positive resale value, and reputation in common. Both have hybrid options and offer a suite of safety and technology features. While the MDX has more luxurious details, the Highlander has a hybrid powertrain with better fuel economy and is a better value with a lower starting price.

Ready to buy an Acura MDX or Toyota Highlander? Shop now for one on sale near you.

2020 Acura MDX 2020 Toyota Highlander
Popular Powertrains
Engine 3.5-liter V6 3.5-liter V6
Horsepower 290 hp @ 6200 rpm 295 hp @ 6,600 rpm
Torque 267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm 263 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm
Transmission 9-speed automatic 8-speed automatic
Fuel Economy 23 mpg (27 city/27 hwy) 24 mpg (21 city/29 hwy)
Also Available Hybrid; AWD 2.5-liter I4 hybrid; AWD
Specs
Warranty 4 years/50,000 miles 3 years/36,000 miles
NHTSA Overall Safety Rating 5  stars 5 stars
Max Seating Capacity 7 8
Wheelbase 111 inches 112.2 inches
Overall Length 196. 2 inches 194.9 inches
Width 77.7 inches 76.0 inches
Height 67.4 inches 68.1 inches
Turning Diameter 38.7 feet 37.4 feet
Headroom, Front 38.1 inches 41.2 inches
Headroom, Rear 38.3 inches 39.4 inches
Headroom, Third Row 35.6 inches 36.1 inches
Legroom, Front 41.4 inches 42.0 inches
Legroom, Rear 36.6 inches 41.0 inches
Legroom Third Row 30.9 inches 27.7 inches
Shoulder Room, Front 61.1 inches 50.0 inches
Shoulder Room, Rear 59.1 inches 58.7 inches
Shoulder Room, Third Row 54.7 inches 55.0 inches
EPA Passenger Volume 132.7 cu. ft. 141.3 cu. ft.
EPA Cargo Volume 90.9/43.4/15.8 cu. ft. 84.3/48.4/16.0 cu. ft.

Is a Acura MDX bigger than Toyota Highlander?

The 2022 Acura MDX and 2021 Toyota Highlander are featured in the mid-size SUV segment, but they differ quite a bit in exterior dimensions. The MDX has a longer wheelbase, wider chassis, and an extra 1.3 inches on the front and 1.5 inches on the rear track.

Is an Acura better than a Toyota?

Toyota offers both more affordable and higher-level vehicles. Some of its vehicles, therefore, have minimal features and may lack modern innovations based on the price point of the vehicle. Because Acura is a luxury brand, even the lower trim levels may be well-appointed with fine materials and innovative features.

What is the difference between 2021 and 2022 Toyota Highlander?

The Toyota Highlander, a mid-size three-row SUV, carries over with minimal changes for 2022. It was fully redesigned for the 2020 model year, and 2021 brought a sportier XSE trim level with notably more aggressive looks and some mechanical tweaks.

Where is the 2022 Acura MDX manufactured?

The MDX Type S is the high-performance variant of the critically acclaimed fourth-generation MDX, Acura's flagship model, that went on sale this year. Like all 2021 and newer Acura models, the 2022 MDX Type S is built exclusively in Central Ohio.