2019 Acura MDX vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe
Overview | |
MSRP$44,300 | MSRP$26,275 |
Listings395 | Listings1158 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews8.0 out of 10 | Expert reviews8.8 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| |
2019 Acura MDX Reviews SummarySlowly but surely, Acura is picking itself up and dusting itself off after a decade of wayward product development and marketing decisions took Honda’s luxury division off-track. Through it all, though, the MDX midsize 3-row crossover SUV has propped the company up, selling in great enough quantities and at high enough profit margins to ensure Acura’s survival. Now in its sixth year since a complete redesign, is the 2019 MDX still worthy in a battle against newer competitors? | |
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Reviews SummaryLast year, Hyundai changed its approach to the Santa Fe. The smaller five-passenger Santa Fe Sport got drop-kicked from the automaker’s lineup, replaced by this completely redesigned version of the SUV. The larger seven-passenger Santa Fe got a new name for one year (Santa Fe XL), and then the all-new 2020 Hyundai Palisade replaced that vehicle. With the Palisade’s arrival, there is just one Santa Fe for 2020, a five-passenger crossover that resides in a sweet spot between traditional compact and midsize models. It gets several updates, too, including a standard rear-seat reminder system, an available camera-based Blind-Spot View Monitor system, and new design accents to better distinguish the top trim level. | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine3.5L 290 hp V6 | Engine2.4L 185 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity7 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower290 hp @ 6200 rpm | Horsepower185 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City20 | MPG City22 |
MPG Highway27 | MPG Highway29 |
Engine | |
Engine Name3.5L 290 hp V6 | Engine Name2.4L 185 hp I4 |
Torque267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm | Torque178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower290 hp @ 6200 rpm | Horsepower185 hp @ 6000 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City20 | MPG City22 |
MPG Highway27 | MPG Highway29 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity7 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Sunroof/MoonroofStandard | Sunroof/Moonroof |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space15.0 cu ft | Cargo Space35.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight4032 lbs | Curb Weight3591 lbs |
Height67.4 in | Height66.1 in |
Length196.2 in | Length187.8 in |
Width77.7 in | Width74.4 in |
Wheelbase111.0 in | Wheelbase108.9 in |
Maximum Payload1336 lbs | Maximum Payload1138 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity3500 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity2000 lbs |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $44,300 | $26,275 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 8.0 out of 10Read full review | 8.8 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| |
Summary | Slowly but surely, Acura is picking itself up and dusting itself off after a decade of wayward product development and marketing decisions took Honda’s luxury division off-track. Through it all, though, the MDX midsize 3-row crossover SUV has propped the company up, selling in great enough quantities and at high enough profit margins to ensure Acura’s survival. Now in its sixth year since a complete redesign, is the 2019 MDX still worthy in a battle against newer competitors? | Last year, Hyundai changed its approach to the Santa Fe. The smaller five-passenger Santa Fe Sport got drop-kicked from the automaker’s lineup, replaced by this completely redesigned version of the SUV. The larger seven-passenger Santa Fe got a new name for one year (Santa Fe XL), and then the all-new 2020 Hyundai Palisade replaced that vehicle. With the Palisade’s arrival, there is just one Santa Fe for 2020, a five-passenger crossover that resides in a sweet spot between traditional compact and midsize models. It gets several updates, too, including a standard rear-seat reminder system, an available camera-based Blind-Spot View Monitor system, and new design accents to better distinguish the top trim level. |
Video | ||
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 3.5L 290 hp V6 | 2.4L 185 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 7 | 5 |
Horsepower | 290 hp @ 6200 rpm | 185 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City | 20 | 22 |
MPG Highway | 27 | 29 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 3.5L 290 hp V6 | 2.4L 185 hp I4 |
Torque | 267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm | 178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower | 290 hp @ 6200 rpm | 185 hp @ 6000 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 20 | 22 |
MPG Highway | 27 | 29 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 7 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 15.0 cu ft | 35.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 4032 lbs | 3591 lbs |
Height | 67.4 in | 66.1 in |
Length | 196.2 in | 187.8 in |
Width | 77.7 in | 74.4 in |
Wheelbase | 111.0 in | 108.9 in |
Maximum Payload | 1336 lbs | 1138 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 3500 lbs | 2000 lbs |










CarGurus highlights

Based on the ratings provided by CarGurus experts, the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe emerges as the more compelling choice, scoring higher in performance, technology, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
Choose the 2019 Acura MDX if:
- You prioritize a luxurious and comfortable driving experience.
- You are interested in a 3-row SUV with continuous improvements and a practical interior.
- You are looking for a vehicle with a strong emphasis on driving dynamics and performance.
Choose the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe if:
- You value advanced technology features and a user-friendly infotainment system.
- You prioritize safety and want a vehicle with a comprehensive suite of safety features.
- You are looking for an SUV that offers unmatched value with an industry-leading warranty and free maintenance.
CarGurus highlights

Based on the ratings provided by CarGurus experts, the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe emerges as the more compelling choice, scoring higher in performance, technology, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
Choose the 2019 Acura MDX if:
Shop Now- You prioritize a luxurious and comfortable driving experience.
- You are interested in a 3-row SUV with continuous improvements and a practical interior.
- You are looking for a vehicle with a strong emphasis on driving dynamics and performance.
Choose the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe if:
Shop Now- You value advanced technology features and a user-friendly infotainment system.
- You prioritize safety and want a vehicle with a comprehensive suite of safety features.
- You are looking for an SUV that offers unmatched value with an industry-leading warranty and free maintenance.

By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.








































