2020 Acura MDX vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade
Overview | |
MSRP$44,500 | MSRP$76,195 |
Listings607 | Listings623 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.2 out of 10 | Expert reviews8.2 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
|
2020 Acura MDX Reviews SummaryThe 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 SummaryYouthful 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 | |
Engine3.5L 290 hp V6 | Engine6.2L 420 hp V8 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainRWD |
Seating Capacity7 | Seating Capacity8 |
Horsepower290 hp @ 6200 rpm | Horsepower420 hp @ 5600 rpm |
MPG City20 | MPG City14 |
MPG Highway27 | MPG Highway20 |
Engine | |
Engine Name3.5L 290 hp V6 | Engine Name6.2L 420 hp V8 |
Torque267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm | Torque460 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm |
Horsepower290 hp @ 6200 rpm | Horsepower420 hp @ 5600 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainRWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City20 | MPG City14 |
MPG Highway27 | MPG Highway20 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity7 | Seating Capacity8 |
Key Features | |
Navigation System | Navigation SystemStandard |
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 Space25.5 cu ft |
Curb Weight4032 lbs | Curb Weight5635 lbs |
Height67.4 in | Height76.7 in |
Length196.2 in | Length211.9 in |
Width77.7 in | Width81.1 in |
Wheelbase111.0 in | Wheelbase120.9 in |
Maximum Payload1336 lbs | Maximum Payload1636 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity3500 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity8200 lbs |
Standard Towing Capacity | Standard Towing Capacity7700 lbs |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $44,500 | $76,195 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 7.2 out of 10Read full review | 8.2 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
|
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 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 3.5L 290 hp V6 | 6.2L 420 hp V8 |
Torque | 267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm | 460 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm |
Horsepower | 290 hp @ 6200 rpm | 420 hp @ 5600 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 20 | 14 |
MPG Highway | 27 | 20 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 7 | 8 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 15.0 cu ft | 25.5 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 4032 lbs | 5635 lbs |
Height | 67.4 in | 76.7 in |
Length | 196.2 in | 211.9 in |
Width | 77.7 in | 81.1 in |
Wheelbase | 111.0 in | 120.9 in |
Maximum Payload | 1336 lbs | 1636 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 3500 lbs | 8200 lbs |
Standard Towing Capacity | 7700 lbs | |
















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.
CarGurus highlights

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.
Choose the 2020 Acura MDX if:
- Value a balanced mix of luxury, performance, and practicality.
- Seek a more cost-effective option with good fuel economy.
- Prefer a vehicle with a proven track record of reliability and safety.
Choose the 2021 Cadillac Escalade if:
- Desire cutting-edge technology and luxury in a spacious package.
- Are looking for standout design and presence on the road.
- Need a vehicle capable of accommodating more passengers and cargo comfortably.
CarGurus highlights

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.
Choose the 2020 Acura MDX if:
Shop Now- Value a balanced mix of luxury, performance, and practicality.
- Seek a more cost-effective option with good fuel economy.
- Prefer a vehicle with a proven track record of reliability and safety.
Choose the 2021 Cadillac Escalade if:
Shop Now- Desire cutting-edge technology and luxury in a spacious package.
- Are looking for standout design and presence on the road.
- Need a vehicle capable of accommodating more passengers and cargo comfortably.

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.







































