Compare the2024 Acura MDXVS 2023 Nissan Pathfinder

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

Safety

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

	MDX	Pathfinder
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	29%	31%
Neck Stress	304 lbs.	348 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	288	312
Neck Injury Risk	30%	45.1%
Neck Stress	122 lbs.	216 lbs.
Neck Compression	75 lbs.	93 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 Acura MDX is safer than the Nissan Pathfinder:

	MDX	Pathfinder
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	105 lbs.	138 lbs.
Hip Force	226 lbs.	244 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	168 lbs.	461 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches
Hip Force	424 lbs.	466 lbs.

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Acura MDX is safer than the Pathfinder:

	MDX	Pathfinder
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	83	125
Neck Tension	134 lbs.	268 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	602 lbs.	1160 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the MDX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 135 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Pathfinder is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

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 Pathfinder’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 Nissan covers the Pathfinder. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Pathfinder ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the MDX for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Acura will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Pathfinder.

Reliability

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 59 points higher than the Pathfinder.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 7 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 6 more horsepower (290 vs. 284) and 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (267 vs. 259) than the Pathfinder’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 60 more horsepower (355 vs. 295) and 84 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 270) than the Pathfinder Rock Creek’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Acura MDX V6 is faster than the Nissan Pathfinder (base engine):

	MDX	Pathfinder
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	6.7 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	17.6 sec	17.7 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.6 sec	7.1 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	15.3 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the MDX 3.5 SOHC V6 SH-AWD gets better fuel mileage than the Pathfinder Rock Creek 3.5 DOHC V6 (19 city/25 hwy vs. 20 city/23 hwy).

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

The MDX has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Pathfinder. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura MDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the Pathfinder.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	MDX Type S	Pathfinder
Front Rotors	14.3 inches	13.8 inches

The MDX stops shorter than the Pathfinder:

	MDX	Pathfinder
70 to 0 MPH	170 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the MDX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pathfinder (275/40R21 vs. 255/60R18).

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 Pathfinder’s standard 60 series tires. The MDX Type S’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Pathfinder’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the MDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Pathfinder. The MDX Type S’ 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Pathfinder.

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 Pathfinder doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

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 Pathfinder’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 Pathfinder doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The MDX Type S handles at .87 G’s, while the Pathfinder SL pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The MDX SH-AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Pathfinder Platinum (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the MDX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Pathfinder (7.3 vs. 7.1 inches), allowing the MDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The MDX Type S’ minimum ground clearance is 1.7 inches higher than on the Pathfinder Rock Creek (9.4 vs. 7.7 inches).

Chassis

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

Passenger Space

The MDX has 1 inch more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 3 inches more rear legroom, 1.5 inches more rear hip room, .7 inches more rear shoulder room and 1.1 inches more third row legroom than the Pathfinder.

Cargo Capacity

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

	MDX	Pathfinder
Behind Third Seat	18.1 cubic feet	16.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	48.4 cubic feet	45 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	95 cubic feet	80.5 cubic feet

Servicing Ease

The MDX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Pathfinder 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 Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 22% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 18th.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Pathfinder Platinum, 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.

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 Pathfinder can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The MDX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Pathfinder’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The MDX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Pathfinder SV/Rock Creek/SL/Platinum.

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 Pathfinder.

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 Pathfinder SL/Platinum offers wireless charging.

Recommendations

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

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