Smart shoppers know that most of time luxury vehicles share a number of common things with their mainstream siblings. And they also know that there are many improvements as well for those who are okay spending the extra money. That’s the case with the 2024 Honda Pilot vs Acura MDX, and you’re probably wondering if the MDX is worth the extra money. We were wondering that as well, which is why we are comparing them side-by-side to find out!

Pricing and Equipment

Obviously, pricing is going to play a big role here, so let’s talk pricing right from the start here.

This is the fully loaded Pilot Elite AWD, which carries a price tag of $53,725, with no extra options and after destination.

MSRP (Elite AWD): $52,380 | Options: $0 | Destination: $1,345 | Total: $53,725

Moving to the MDX, we also have the fully loaded model, outside of the performance-oriented Type S variant. The price premium for the extra luxury and prestige is perhaps less than you would think, with a total price of $65,595 all in.

MSRP (Advance SH-AWD): $63,800 | Options: $600 | Destination: $1,195 | Total: $65,595

Now this is going to be an objective comparison. We have done our best to weigh the points awarded throughout in major and minor categories but at the end of the comparison we will sum up with our thoughts and revisit the price difference for a value assessment. With that being said, let’s get into this comparison!

Exterior Design

One of the main ways that mainstream, and luxury models are differentiated is the exterior styling. That is the case with these two. As you can probably tell, the Pilot has a conservative and boxy design, while the MDX has a bolder and sportier design. MDX also has a huge badge to show off some of that prestige to others. 

Now as far as actual features, both have full LED lighting across the entire front, but the MDX has the more-premium projector LED headlights instead of reflector ones on the Pilot.

Checking out the sides, the Pilot is a tiny bit longer than the MDX, and even though both are riding on FWD-based architectures, the MDX has a bumped-back A-pillar to give a more RWD-like proportion compared to the Pilot.

Length: 199.9-in (Pilot) | 198.4-in (MDX)

Adding to the designs are nice looking 20-inch alloy wheels on both, and then around back, both have exposed wipers and dual exposed exhaust tips, although the taillights are not completely LED on the Pilot.

Additional Features

But let’s move beyond the design and get into some important features and specs. Both models’ mirrors are fully loaded with heating, power-folding, auto-dimming and blind spot monitoring systems. Honda also takes care of passengers no matter what price you can afford, since the main 4 active safety systems standard across all trims of both models.

Towing for both models comes in at 5,000 lbs, but the warranties are different. Acura, being a luxury division, warranties their products a bit longer, at 6 yrs/70k miles.

Additionally, both brands recently added 2 years of complimentary maintenance.

Alright, now we need to see the more important cabins before we take them out for a drive later in the comparison.

Interior Design

As we approach the vehicles, both models have the expected smart entry systems and remote start, although the Acura’s key fob is much larger. 

Once you open up the doors and glance inside, there are not many similarities besides for both of them having the brown interior options. 

Let’s address those seats first. The Pilot has real leather and the MDX has high-end Milano leather with fancy stitching and piping. Adjustments are also ampler in the Acura, at 16-ways vs. 10-ways, although both seats are heated, ventilated and have 3-person memory seats.

Now once fully inside the cabins, you can begin to take what kind of differences we have in overall materials. How much this matters to you will depend on personal preference, but the MDX certainly elevates the cabin experience with lots of leather, open-pore wood, metal speaker grilles and gloss accents in places where the Pilot uses hard or soft-touch plastics.

Now after startup, you’ll see two full digital gauge clusters, although it’s a smaller 10-inch one in the Honda instead of 12.3-inches. In addition, both have Head-up Displays with plenty of info.

Coming back to the steering wheels, both are leather-wrapped, and heated, although only MDX has power adjustment.

Storage and Technology

Next up we have the very important aspect of storage, which is a place where it doesn’t pay to be fancy. Because of the MDX’s complex center console arrangement, it has a large storage disadvantage to the Pilot, with its huge console, front bin and even passenger storage self.

One of the only shared parts in these cabins are the push-button electronic shifters. When in reverse, they both pull up 360-degree camera systems and 360-degree parking sensors.

As far as climate controls, both have physical controls for 3-zone automatic systems, and they have real volume knobs for the audio systems. While the Pilot’s 12-speaker Bose is a big improvement over the unbranded system in the previous gen, the MDX ELS 3D system is the far better option for people who are audiophiles.

MDX: 16-speaker ELS 3D Studio Premium Audio

Pilot: 12-speaker Bose CenterPointe Premium Audio

And now that brings us to the infotainment systems and there’s something important to mention here. While Pilot has the smaller 9-inch display compared to 12.3-inches, it is a touchscreen, while the MDX requires you use the finicky touchpad.

Minus the control complications, both systems can run Android Auto or Apple CarPlay wirelessly. 

Moving above the screens, both have auto-dimming rearview mirrors with HomeLink and panoramic sunroofs.

Rear Seats and Cargo

Regardless of the badge on the front, both models usually service families so let’s talk about what you get in the back as well. Starting with the space, the mainstream Pilot has both a legroom and headroom advantage of about 6%.

That may not sound like much, but it definitely makes a noticeable difference, especially when considering that you can’t easily slide your feet under the front seat in the MDX.

MDX: Legroom: 38.5-inches | Headroom: 38.1-inches

Pilot: Legroom: 40.8-inches | Headroom: 40.2-inches

Next let’s check the rear amenities. Both have sunshades, rear climate controls, 2 charging USB ports, a household power outlet and reclining seats. The second rows are heated, but not ventilated.

One neat feature that the Acura debuted, and the Pilot has since borrowed, is the multi-function center seat. This is bench seating by default, but it has the ability to flip down into a console and even be entirely removed if you want a passthrough.

Moving on to the 3^rd row of seats, both crossovers have the same convenient one-touch folding and sliding mechanism to give you a nice pathway. 

But once in the third row, there are substantial differences between the two of them, and probably not in the ways you would expect. Favor falls to the Pilot, with 11% more legroom and 5% more headroom, most importantly.

MDX: ​​Legroom: 29.1-inches | Headroom: 36.2-inches

Pilot: Legroom: 32.5-in | Headroom: 38.1-in

That makes a big difference for comfort, and it is also down a third-row seat compared to Pilot, making the max capacity 7 passengers instead of 8.

Thirdly, though both have USB ports, it’s the MDX that is surprisingly missing climate vents compared to the Pilot.

Now opening up the smart power tailgates, you will find a much larger space discrepancy than you would think given the very similar lengths. The Pilot is going to have the advantage with the seats in all 3 configurations, behind the 3^rd row, 2^nd row and about 20% more maximum cargo space with all the seats folded down.

MDX: 16.3 cubic feet behind 3rd row | 39.1 cubic feet behind 2nd row | 71.4 MAX cubic feet

Pilot: 3^rd Row: 18.6 cu.ft | 2^nd Row: 48.5 cu.ft | MAX: 87.0 cu.ft

Both third rows are manually folding, by the way. But now let’s take this fight to the streets!

Powertrain

While there are substantial differences in design, technology and space, there are a lot more similarities in the areas you cannot see. Both have a new, but very traditional, 3.5L V-6 with a small power discrepancy due to premium fuel being requested in the Acura. As you would expect, that means they both accelerate the same in the real world.

MDX: 3.5L V-6: 290 hp | 267 lb.ft

Pilot: 3.5L V-6: 285 hp | 262 lb.ft

Now as far as the other powertrain elements, both are using Honda’s in-house designed 10-speed automatic transmission and torque-vectoring AWD systems. The AWD systems are very similar, even though they have different branding and different tuning in the Acura focused on cornering abilities. 

Driving Impressions and fuel economy

Now let’s get into the ride qualities, which is important for these kinds of family SUVs. There are certainty similarities here as well since both are extremely comfortable. Even without air suspension or adaptive dampers, both remove all but the largest imperfections from penetrating the cabin. 

I will also note, that while neither are sporty by any stretch of the imagination, the MDX does handle in a more responsive way.

Another aspect of comfort is sound insulation, so let’s look at the dB readings. For now, the readings are not directly comparable since the only Pilot we tested out in Kentucky was an LX, but based on our fine-tuned ears, we think the MDX would still be quieter.

MDX: 53.9 dB @ 55 MPH

Pilot (LX): 58.3 dB @ 55 MPH

Lastly, for fuel economy, the Pilot and MDX share the exact same fuel economy rating. As mentioned earlier, the MDX is requesting premium fuel, but it is not necessary unless you desperately want those couple extra horsepower.

Pilot: 19/25/21 MPG

MDX: 19/25/21 MPG

Honda Pilot vs Acura MDX Winner!

So, there you have it; the objective winner is the all-new Pilot, but who is “your” winner? Well, the MDX should be your winner if you value the most:

MDX: 

• Luxury nameplate prestige
• You like bougie things (sound system, leather, wood etc)
• The most quiet and smooth ride

And the Pilot should be your winner if you value,

Pilot: 

• Ultimate functionality
• “Affordable” price tag

Now we want to know your opinions, so make sure to head to the comment section and let us know which one you would pick!