Acura MDX vs Nissan Pathfinder
Overview | |
MSRP$50,150 | MSRP$35,320 |
Average price$29,299 | Average price$22,711 |
Listings9248 | Listings9507 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.8 out of 10 | Expert reviews8.2 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
|
Reviews SummaryThe Acura MDX is a mainstay of the luxury SUV segment, and it covers the bases remarkably well. Its well-rounded nature is perhaps because it shares a platform with the Honda Pilot (another fantastic family hauler) but for that same reason, it doesn’t offer the same cachet as a BMW X5 or Mercedes-Benz GLE. Whether you are on a road trip or heading to work, the MDX is comfortable, refined, and has space for the family and their gear. For 2024, there’s a new Type-S trim level, bringing a new level of performance to the three-row, seven-passenger midsize luxury SUV. But as we’ll get into in a bit, the MDX is held back by a maddening infotainment system that could truly be a sticking point to overshadow all other positive attributes. Verdict: The MDX is a beautiful, safe, and cost-effective luxury SUV, and the new Type-S trim level delivers a higher level of performance. However, it doesn’t offer as much space as some of its competitors, and we wouldn’t recommend it to anyone easily frustrated by finnicky tech interfaces. | |
Reviews SummaryEvery car shopper out there has a hierarchy of needs. They put some needs above other needs. Whether you are looking for the best fuel economy, the most cargo space, or the newest tech and safety features, certain vehicles excel in some areas or falls behind in others. The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder does not stand out courtesy of any one particular characteristic, but much like the people shopping for it, the Pathfinder is a combination of attributes in one vehicle. For the 2023 model year, Nissan has introduced the Rock Creek edition. It’s a more rugged version of the Pathfinder. That’s a bit ironic because, like many entrants in this family-hauling segment, the Pathfinder started out decades ago as tough, truck-based SUVs. So while the Pathfinder has evolved into a more comfortable vehicle, the Rock Creek appears to be an attempt to capture the spirit of the early Nissan SUVs. So, how does the Pathfinder stack up within the popular and hotly contested midsize SUV segment? And does the Rock Creek warrant attention as an off-road vehicle? | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine3.5L 290 hp V6 | Engine3.5L 284 hp V6 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity7 | Seating Capacity8 |
Horsepower290 hp @ 6200 rpm | Horsepower284 hp @ 6400 rpm |
MPG City19 | MPG City20 |
MPG Highway26 | MPG Highway27 |
Engine | |
Engine Name3.5L 290 hp V6 | Engine Name3.5L 284 hp V6 |
Torque267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm | Torque259 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm |
Horsepower290 hp @ 6200 rpm | Horsepower284 hp @ 6400 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City19 | MPG City20 |
MPG Highway26 | MPG Highway27 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity7 | Seating Capacity8 |
Key Features | |
Sunroof/MoonroofStandard | Sunroof/Moonroof |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space16.3 cu ft | Cargo Space16.6 cu ft |
Curb Weight4271 lbs | Curb Weight4317 lbs |
Height67.1 in | Height70.9 in |
Length198.4 in | Length197.7 in |
Width78.7 in | Width77.9 in |
Wheelbase113.8 in | Wheelbase114.2 in |
Maximum Payload | Maximum Payload1583 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity3500 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity3500 lbs |
Standard Towing Capacity | Standard Towing Capacity3500 lbs |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $50,150 | $35,320 |
Average price | $29,299 | $22,711 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.5 | 4.3 |
Expert reviews | 7.8 out of 10Read full review | 8.2 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
|
Summary | The Acura MDX is a mainstay of the luxury SUV segment, and it covers the bases remarkably well. Its well-rounded nature is perhaps because it shares a platform with the Honda Pilot (another fantastic family hauler) but for that same reason, it doesn’t offer the same cachet as a BMW X5 or Mercedes-Benz GLE. Whether you are on a road trip or heading to work, the MDX is comfortable, refined, and has space for the family and their gear. For 2024, there’s a new Type-S trim level, bringing a new level of performance to the three-row, seven-passenger midsize luxury SUV. But as we’ll get into in a bit, the MDX is held back by a maddening infotainment system that could truly be a sticking point to overshadow all other positive attributes. Verdict: The MDX is a beautiful, safe, and cost-effective luxury SUV, and the new Type-S trim level delivers a higher level of performance. However, it doesn’t offer as much space as some of its competitors, and we wouldn’t recommend it to anyone easily frustrated by finnicky tech interfaces. | Every car shopper out there has a hierarchy of needs. They put some needs above other needs. Whether you are looking for the best fuel economy, the most cargo space, or the newest tech and safety features, certain vehicles excel in some areas or falls behind in others. The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder does not stand out courtesy of any one particular characteristic, but much like the people shopping for it, the Pathfinder is a combination of attributes in one vehicle. For the 2023 model year, Nissan has introduced the Rock Creek edition. It’s a more rugged version of the Pathfinder. That’s a bit ironic because, like many entrants in this family-hauling segment, the Pathfinder started out decades ago as tough, truck-based SUVs. So while the Pathfinder has evolved into a more comfortable vehicle, the Rock Creek appears to be an attempt to capture the spirit of the early Nissan SUVs. So, how does the Pathfinder stack up within the popular and hotly contested midsize SUV segment? And does the Rock Creek warrant attention as an off-road vehicle? |
Video | ||
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 3.5L 290 hp V6 | 3.5L 284 hp V6 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 7 | 8 |
Horsepower | 290 hp @ 6200 rpm | 284 hp @ 6400 rpm |
MPG City | 19 | 20 |
MPG Highway | 26 | 27 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 3.5L 290 hp V6 | 3.5L 284 hp V6 |
Torque | 267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm | 259 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm |
Horsepower | 290 hp @ 6200 rpm | 284 hp @ 6400 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 19 | 20 |
MPG Highway | 26 | 27 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 7 | 8 |
Key Features | ||
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 16.3 cu ft | 16.6 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 4271 lbs | 4317 lbs |
Height | 67.1 in | 70.9 in |
Length | 198.4 in | 197.7 in |
Width | 78.7 in | 77.9 in |
Wheelbase | 113.8 in | 114.2 in |
Maximum Payload | 1583 lbs | |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 3500 lbs | 3500 lbs |
Standard Towing Capacity | 3500 lbs | |
By: CarGurus + AI
This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.