Compare the2023 Acura MDXVS 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander

Both the MDX and the Outlander 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Acura MDX weighs 468 to 1195 pounds more than the Mitsubishi Outlander. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Outlander has not been fully tested, yet.

The MDX’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Outlander’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the MDX for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Acura will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mitsubishi doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Outlander.

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 Mitsubishi vehicles. With 34 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Acura higher than Mitsubishi.

The MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 109 more horsepower (290 vs. 181) and 86 lbs.-ft. more torque (267 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 174 more horsepower (355 vs. 181) and 173 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Acura MDX is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the MDX’s fuel efficiency. The Outlander doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the MDX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The MDX has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (18.5 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the MDX Type S’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Outlander:

The MDX stops shorter than the Outlander:

For better traction, the MDX has larger standard tires than the Outlander (255/55R19 vs. 235/60R18). The MDX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Outlander (275/40R21 vs. 255/45R20).

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 Outlander ES’ standard 60 series tires. The MDX Type S’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Outlander SE/SEL’s 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 Outlander ES. The MDX Type S’ 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Outlander SE/SEL.

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 Outlander doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The MDX SH-AWD has a standard space-saver spare (not available on FWD/Type S) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The MDX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Outlander’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The MDX Type S has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The MDX’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Outlander doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the MDX’s wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the Outlander (113.8 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the MDX is 5 inches wider in the front and 4.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Outlander.

The MDX Type S handles at .87 G’s, while the Outlander SEL AWC pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the MDX Type S has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Outlander SE/SEL (9.4 vs. 8.4 inches), allowing the MDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

For excellent aerodynamics, the MDX has standard flush composite headlights. The Outlander has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The MDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Outlander doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The MDX has 13.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander (139.1 vs. 125.5).

The MDX has 5.3 inches more front hip room, 4 inches more front shoulder room, 4.5 inches more rear hip room, 4.4 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.7 inches more third row headroom, 10.4 inches more third row legroom and 4 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander.

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

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the MDX. The Outlander doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The MDX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mitsubishi Outlander is only 2000 pounds. The MDX SH-AWD offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The MDX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Outlander uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Mitsubishi. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 17% lower rating, Mitsubishi is ranked 12th.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Outlander SEL, the MDX offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The MDX’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Outlander’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

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 Outlander can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Consumer Reports rated the MDX’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Outlander’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The MDX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander SE/SEL.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the MDX keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Outlander doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The MDX Type S Advance has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Outlander.

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. Only the Outlander SE/SEL offers wireless charging.

The MDX offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Outlander doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the MDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the MDX will cost $1155 to $6070 less than the Outlander over a five-year period.

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

The Acura MDX outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by 8% during 2022.