Compare the2023 Acura MDXVS 2023 Jeep Wagoneer

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Acura MDX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Jeep Wagoneer doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

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 Wagoneer.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the MDX uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Wagoneer uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the MDX and the Wagoneer have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the MDX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Wagoneer has not been tested, yet.

The MDX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Wagoneer’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the MDX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Jeep covers the Wagoneer. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Wagoneer ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the MDX have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Wagoneer.

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 MDX’s reliability 34 points higher than the Wagoneer.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. With 7 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Acura higher than Jeep.

As tested in Motor Trend the Acura MDX V6 is faster than the Jeep Wagoneer V8 hybrid gas:

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura MDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Wagoneer requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura MDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Wagoneer.

The MDX stops much shorter than the Wagoneer:

The MDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Wagoneer’s standard 65 series tires. The MDX Type S’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Wagoneer’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the MDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Wagoneer.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the MDX can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Wagoneer doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The MDX Type S handles at .87 G’s, while the Grand Wagoneer Series II pulls only .67 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The MDX SH-AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.2 seconds quicker than the Wagoneer Series III 4x4 (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 30.4 seconds @ .52 average G’s).

The Acura MDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1550 to 1700 pounds less than the Jeep Wagoneer.

The MDX is 1 foot, 4.3 inches shorter than the Wagoneer, making the MDX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The MDX is 8.5 inches shorter in height than the Wagoneer, making the MDX much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the MDX’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Wagoneer uses body-on-frame design instead.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the MDX Type S is quieter than the Grand Wagoneer Series II (36 vs. 40 dB).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Jeep. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 37% lower rating, Jeep is ranked 26th.

The MDX’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Wagoneer’s standard power windows’ rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the MDX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Wagoneer can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura MDX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Wagoneer.

Insurance will cost less for the MDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the MDX will cost $5450 to $7715 less than the Wagoneer over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Acura MDX will be $14143 to $17707 less than for the Jeep Wagoneer.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Acura MDX, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jeep Wagoneer isn't recommended.