Compare the2026 Acura MDXVS 2025 Honda Pilot

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Acura MDX achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Honda Pilot has not been tested.

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Acura MDX’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system is only offered on some models of the Honda Pilot.

Both the MDX and the Pilot 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 Honda Pilot:

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 Honda Pilot:

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

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

The MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 5 more horsepower (290 vs. 285) and 5 lbs.-ft. more torque (267 vs. 262) than the Pilot’s 3.5 DOHC V6. The MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 70 more horsepower (355 vs. 285) and 92 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 262) than the Pilot’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Acura MDX is faster than the Honda Pilot:

On the EPA test cycle the MDX 3.5 SOHC V6 SH-AWD gets better fuel mileage than the Pilot TrailSport 4WD (19 city/25 hwy vs. 18 city/23 hwy).

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

The MDX stops much shorter than the Pilot:

For better traction, the MDX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pilot (275/40R21 vs. 265/60R18).

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 Pilot EX-L’s standard 60 series tires. The MDX Type S’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Pilot Sport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition’s 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 Pilot EX-L. The MDX Type S’ 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Pilot Sport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition.

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 Pilot doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

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

The MDX has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Pilot doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The MDX Type S handles at .87 G’s, while the Pilot Elite pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The MDX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.2 seconds quicker than the Pilot TrailSport (25.7 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .66 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the MDX Type S has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Pilot TrailSport (9.4 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the MDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the MDX Type S is quieter than the Pilot Elite:

The MDX has .6 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front hip room and .4 inches more rear hip room than the Pilot.

The MDX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Pilot 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 Honda. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 4% lower rating, Honda is ranked 7th.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition, 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 Pilot can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The MDX’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Pilot’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

The MDX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition.

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

The Acura MDX has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition.

Compared to traditional radio, the Acura MDX’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition.

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 Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition offers wireless charging.

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