2020 Acura MDX vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade

2020 Acura MDX
2020 Acura MDX
$44,500MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Cadillac Escalade
2021 Cadillac Escalade
$76,195MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Acura MDX
$44,500MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Cadillac Escalade
$76,195MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$44,500

MSRP

$76,195

Listings

607

Listings

623

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.2 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.2 out of 10

Pros

  • Standard advanced safety features

  • Spacious

Cons

  • Uninspired styling

  • Outdated technology

Pros

  • Great ride quality

  • Powerful engine

  • Impressive technology

Cons

  • Advanced safety features are not standard

  • Poor fuel economy

2020 Acura MDX Reviews Summary

The Acura MDX is the best-selling three-row luxury SUV of all time, with solid performances through three generations of production since 2001. While it may not be an industry leader in any one category, the MDX delivers competitive levels of comfort, convenience, and technology and an attractive overall package that has spawned a loyal repeat audience.

2021 Cadillac Escalade Reviews Summary

Youthful aspiration often translates into adult acquisition. When the first Cadillac Escalade went on sale and quickly became an American popular culture icon, the oldest Millennials were just getting their driver’s licenses, and the youngest weren’t born yet. Today, this “digital native” generation raised on rap music is turning 40, moving to the suburbs, and raising families. Plus, it is poised to inherit a reported $68 trillion from Baby Boomers by 2030, the largest wealth transfer in modern history. Despite suffering through the Great Recession and now a global pandemic, will Millennials spend their passed-down windfalls on a six-figure full-size SUV that gets 16 mpg? Some will, and in so doing, they’ll get a mighty impressive and technologically sophisticated, fifth-generation Cadillac on 22s.
No video found
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

3.5L 290 hp V6

Engine

6.2L 420 hp V8

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

RWD

Seating Capacity

7

Seating Capacity

8

Horsepower

290 hp @ 6200 rpm

Horsepower

420 hp @ 5600 rpm

MPG City

20

MPG City

14

MPG Highway

27

MPG Highway

20
2020 Acura MDX
2020 Acura MDX
$44,500MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Cadillac Escalade
2021 Cadillac Escalade
$76,195MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Acura MDX
$44,500MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Cadillac Escalade
$76,195MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$44,500
$76,195
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews

4.5

4.7

Expert reviews

7.2 out of 10

Read full review

8.2 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons

Pros

  • Standard advanced safety features

  • Spacious

Cons

  • Uninspired styling

  • Outdated technology

Pros

  • Great ride quality

  • Powerful engine

  • Impressive technology

Cons

  • Advanced safety features are not standard

  • Poor fuel economy

Summary
The Acura MDX is the best-selling three-row luxury SUV of all time, with solid performances through three generations of production since 2001. While it may not be an industry leader in any one category, the MDX delivers competitive levels of comfort, convenience, and technology and an attractive overall package that has spawned a loyal repeat audience.
Youthful aspiration often translates into adult acquisition. When the first Cadillac Escalade went on sale and quickly became an American popular culture icon, the oldest Millennials were just getting their driver’s licenses, and the youngest weren’t born yet. Today, this “digital native” generation raised on rap music is turning 40, moving to the suburbs, and raising families. Plus, it is poised to inherit a reported $68 trillion from Baby Boomers by 2030, the largest wealth transfer in modern history. Despite suffering through the Great Recession and now a global pandemic, will Millennials spend their passed-down windfalls on a six-figure full-size SUV that gets 16 mpg? Some will, and in so doing, they’ll get a mighty impressive and technologically sophisticated, fifth-generation Cadillac on 22s.
Video
No video found
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
3.5L 290 hp V6
6.2L 420 hp V8
Drive Train
FWD
RWD
Seating Capacity
7
8
Horsepower
290 hp @ 6200 rpm
420 hp @ 5600 rpm
MPG City
20
14
MPG Highway
27
20
Look and feel

2020 Acura MDX

6/10

2021 Cadillac Escalade

6/10
The 2020 Acura MDX continues to dominate as the best-selling three-row luxury SUV, offering competitive comfort, convenience, and technology since its debut in 2001. Despite not leading in any single category, its overall package has garnered a loyal customer base. On the other hand, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, a symbol of American luxury and a cultural icon, aims at a generation that grew up idolizing it. Now, as adults, this generation sees the Escalade as a technologically advanced, luxurious option for family and lifestyle needs, despite its premium price and modest fuel economy.
Picture of 2020 Acura MDX
Picture of 2020 Acura MDX
Picture of 2020 Acura MDX
Picture of 2020 Acura MDX
Picture of 2020 Acura MDX
Picture of 2020 Acura MDX
Picture of 2020 Acura MDX
Picture of 2020 Acura MDX
Picture of 2020 Acura MDX
Performance

2020 Acura MDX

6/10

2021 Cadillac Escalade

9/10
The 2020 Acura MDX offers a choice between a 290-horsepower V6 and a hybrid option, noted for its nimble handling and smooth acceleration, receiving a 6 out of 10. The 2021 Cadillac Escalade, with a 420-horsepower V8 or an optional turbo-diesel engine, excels in power and refined driving dynamics, thanks to its independent rear suspension and adaptive dampers, scoring a 9 out of 10.
Form and function

2020 Acura MDX

7/10

2021 Cadillac Escalade

10/10

The 2020 Acura MDX not only serves as a stylish alternative to the minivan, with its sliding and reclining second-row seats enhancing accessibility and comfort, but also excels in practicality, rated 7 out of 10. It cleverly integrates functionality with luxury, providing 15.8 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, which expands to 43.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 90.9 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded down. This makes the MDX a versatile choice for families needing both passenger and cargo space without sacrificing luxury. The 2021 Cadillac Escalade redefines spaciousness and luxury in the SUV category, achieving a perfect score of 10 out of 10. Thanks to its new design, it offers significantly increased passenger comfort and an impressive cargo capacity. Behind the third row, there's 25.5 cubic feet of space, which expands to 63 cubic feet with the third row down. For those needing even more space, folding down the second row unlocks a cavernous 109.1 cubic feet of cargo volume. The extended-length Escalade ESV variant further increases these figures to 42.9, 81.5, and 126.6 cubic feet behind the third, second, and first rows, respectively, solidifying the Escalade's status as the go-to luxury SUV for those requiring maximum space and luxury.

Technology

2020 Acura MDX

7/10

2021 Cadillac Escalade

8/10
The 2020 Acura MDX's technology package, including advanced safety features and entertainment options, receives a 7 out of 10. In contrast, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade sets a high bar with its industry-leading OLED infotainment system and a suite of high-tech features, rated 8 out of 10. Despite some usability challenges, the Escalade's technology offerings are among the most impressive in the luxury SUV segment.
Safety

2020 Acura MDX

9/10

2021 Cadillac Escalade

8/10
Safety features in the 2020 Acura MDX, including the AcuraWatch suite, earn it a 9 out of 10. The 2021 Cadillac Escalade, equipped with comprehensive safety technologies and the promise of Super Cruise, scores an 8 out of 10. Both vehicles offer advanced safety features, but the MDX's overall safety ratings slightly edge out the Escalade.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Acura MDX is 7.2 out of 10, while the 2021 Cadillac Escalade scores 8.2 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the Cadillac Escalade is the recommended choice for those seeking luxury, performance, and technology in a full-size SUV.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Acura MDX is 7.2 out of 10, while the 2021 Cadillac Escalade scores 8.2 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the Cadillac Escalade is the recommended choice for those seeking luxury, performance, and technology in a full-size SUV.

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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.

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