2021 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Acura MDX
Overview | |
MSRP$32,925 | MSRP$48,000 |
Listings2274 | Listings615 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.5 out of 10 | Expert reviews8.0 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
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2021 Ford Explorer Reviews SummaryThere was a time when everybody in America seemingly drove an Explorer. That may be an exaggeration, but not by much. In its first four years of production, Ford sold over a million examples. In 1998, Ford was selling its second-generation Explorer at a rate of nearly 440,000 per year. Whether your family purchased an Explorer or not, this was the nameplate that invented the midsize SUV segment. Fast forward to the 2021 model year and the Explorer is in its sixth generation. It's now a three-row SUV that clocks in at a maximum of 4,700 pounds, with a price tag north of $50,000 for the Explorer Platinum trim level. Long gone are the days when it was the only game in town. Almost every automaker has a competitor. So how does the Explorer shake out for 2021? | |
2022 Acura MDX Reviews SummarySkipping the 2021 model year, the Acura MDX leaps ahead into 2022, riding on a new platform with a new exterior design, new interior look, refreshed platform, and a more assertive attitude. Now entering its fourth generation of production since its introduction as a 2001 model, the MDX rewards its loyal audience with improvements across the board—while retaining its essential nature. | |
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Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.3L 300 hp I4 | Engine3.5L 290 hp V6 |
Drive TrainRWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity7 | Seating Capacity7 |
Horsepower | Horsepower290 hp @ 6200 rpm |
MPG City21 | MPG City19 |
MPG Highway28 | MPG Highway26 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.3L 300 hp I4 | Engine Name3.5L 290 hp V6 |
Torque | Torque267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm |
Horsepower | Horsepower290 hp @ 6200 rpm |
DrivetrainRWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City21 | MPG City19 |
MPG Highway28 | MPG Highway26 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity7 | Seating Capacity7 |
Key Features | |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Sunroof/MoonroofStandard |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space18.2 cu ft | Cargo Space16.3 cu ft |
Curb Weight4345 lbs | Curb Weight4271 lbs |
Height69.9 in | Height67.1 in |
Length198.8 in | Length198.4 in |
Width89.3 in | Width78.7 in |
Wheelbase119.1 in | Wheelbase113.8 in |
Maximum Payload1425 lbs | Maximum Payload1173 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity5300 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity3500 lbs |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $32,925 | $48,000 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 7.5 out of 10Read full review | 8.0 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
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Summary | There was a time when everybody in America seemingly drove an Explorer. That may be an exaggeration, but not by much. In its first four years of production, Ford sold over a million examples. In 1998, Ford was selling its second-generation Explorer at a rate of nearly 440,000 per year. Whether your family purchased an Explorer or not, this was the nameplate that invented the midsize SUV segment. Fast forward to the 2021 model year and the Explorer is in its sixth generation. It's now a three-row SUV that clocks in at a maximum of 4,700 pounds, with a price tag north of $50,000 for the Explorer Platinum trim level. Long gone are the days when it was the only game in town. Almost every automaker has a competitor. So how does the Explorer shake out for 2021? | Skipping the 2021 model year, the Acura MDX leaps ahead into 2022, riding on a new platform with a new exterior design, new interior look, refreshed platform, and a more assertive attitude. Now entering its fourth generation of production since its introduction as a 2001 model, the MDX rewards its loyal audience with improvements across the board—while retaining its essential nature. |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.3L 300 hp I4 | 3.5L 290 hp V6 |
Drive Train | RWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 7 | 7 |
Horsepower | 290 hp @ 6200 rpm | |
MPG City | 21 | 19 |
MPG Highway | 28 | 26 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.3L 300 hp I4 | 3.5L 290 hp V6 |
Torque | 267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm | |
Horsepower | 290 hp @ 6200 rpm | |
Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 21 | 19 |
MPG Highway | 28 | 26 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 7 | 7 |
Key Features | ||
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 18.2 cu ft | 16.3 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 4345 lbs | 4271 lbs |
Height | 69.9 in | 67.1 in |
Length | 198.8 in | 198.4 in |
Width | 89.3 in | 78.7 in |
Wheelbase | 119.1 in | 113.8 in |
Maximum Payload | 1425 lbs | 1173 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 5300 lbs | 3500 lbs |
CarGurus highlights
CarGurus experts evaluated the two vehicles in the contexts of their own classes. The overall rating for the 2021 Ford Explorer is 7.5 out of 10, while the 2022 Acura MDX scores 8 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2022 Acura MDX shines as the recommended choice for consumers seeking a luxurious and technologically advanced SUV.
Choose the 2021 Ford Explorer if:
- You value variety in engine options and trim levels.
- You prioritize towing capacity and versatility in cargo space.
- You are looking for a range of tech features at different price points.
Choose the 2022 Acura MDX if:
- You seek a luxurious and refined driving experience.
- You prioritize innovative tech features like the ELS Studio 3D audio system and Amazon Alexa integration.
- You are looking for a well-rounded SUV with advanced safety technologies.
CarGurus highlights
CarGurus experts evaluated the two vehicles in the contexts of their own classes. The overall rating for the 2021 Ford Explorer is 7.5 out of 10, while the 2022 Acura MDX scores 8 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2022 Acura MDX shines as the recommended choice for consumers seeking a luxurious and technologically advanced SUV.
Choose the 2021 Ford Explorer if:
Shop Now- You value variety in engine options and trim levels.
- You prioritize towing capacity and versatility in cargo space.
- You are looking for a range of tech features at different price points.
Choose the 2022 Acura MDX if:
Shop Now- You seek a luxurious and refined driving experience.
- You prioritize innovative tech features like the ELS Studio 3D audio system and Amazon Alexa integration.
- You are looking for a well-rounded SUV with advanced safety technologies.
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.