2025

Honda Pilot
vs. Acura MDX

A COMPREHENSIVE COMPARISON

2025 Honda Pilot vs. 2025 Acura MDX: A Comprehensive Comparison

2025 Honda Pilot vs. 2025 Acura MDX

WHAT WE’LL BE COVERING


PERFORMANCE
Engines, Specs & Fuel Efficiency


UTILITY
Cargo, Towing & Roof Rack


STYLING
Interior & Exterior Highlights


COMFORT & TECH
Entertainment & Connectivity


SAFETY
Features & Driver Aids


CONCLUSION
Recapping It All

MOST AFFORDABLE:

2025 Honda Pilot

$33,920

Starting MSRP of Sport 2WD (FWD) Trim*

MOST EXPENSIVE:

2025 Honda Pilot

$54,580

MSRP of Black Edition AWD Trim*

MOST AFFORDABLE:

2025 Acura MDX

$51,200

Starting MSRP of Base FWD Trim*

MOST EXPENSIVE:

2025 Acura MDX

$75,250

MSRP of Type S Advance SH-AWD Trim*

When it comes to midsize SUVs that effortlessly blend reliability, performance, and advanced features, the Honda Pilot and Acura MDX are two models at the forefront of their category.

 


 
Fortunately, you don’t have to be torn between brand names in the traditional sense. It’s true that Acura is accurately viewed as a more prestigious brand, but the trust that is placed in the Honda name transfers to the Acura name, as well.
A key advantage of Acura being made by Honda is the seamless blend of luxury and reliability. Honda’s extensive experience in engineering and manufacturing ensures that Acura vehicles benefit from proven technology and robust build quality. This relationship allows Acura to offer high-end features and performance while maintaining the dependability and affordability that Honda is known for.
 


 
Essentially, Acura owners enjoy the best of both worlds: the prestige of a luxury brand backed by the trusted reputation of Honda.
If you aren’t actively seeking ultimate luxury from your SUV, the Pilot is essentially a toned-down version of the MDX – in essence.

Honda Pilot: The Briefest of Intros

The Honda Pilot has long been a stalwart in the midsize SUV arena, known for its practicality, spaciousness, and family-friendly features. It’s the dependable companion that’s always ready for the next adventure, offering seating for up to eight passengers and a cabin filled with thoughtful touches. With a reputation for reliability and a knack for making the everyday extraordinary, the Pilot is a go-to choice for many families.

Acura MDX: The Briefest of Intros

On the flip side, the Acura MDX brings a dash of luxury and a performance-oriented mindset to the midsize SUV segment. As Acura’s flagship SUV, the MDX combines stylish design, advanced technology, and engaging driving dynamics. Seating up to seven passengers, it’s geared toward those who desire a bit more sophistication and sportiness in their daily drive without sacrificing practicality.

Honda Pilot vs. Acura MDX

PERFORMANCE
& UTILITY

Engines, Transmissions, Fuel Efficiency, Towing + More

2025 Honda Pilot vs. 2025 Acura MDX: A Comprehensive Comparison

Performance in the world of midsize SUVs is all about striking the perfect balance between power, efficiency, and driving dynamics.

It’s not just about how fast a vehicle can go, but how smoothly it can handle a variety of driving conditions, from city streets to winding country roads. Performance encompasses the heart of the vehicle—the engine and transmission—as well as the soul, which includes handling, ride quality, and overall driving experience. Whether you’re looking for a reliable daily driver or a spirited ride that adds a bit of excitement to your commute, understanding the performance capabilities of an SUV is crucial.

It’s about finding that sweet spot where power meets practicality, ensuring every journey is both enjoyable and efficient.

Honda Pilot Performance Overview:

The Honda Pilot is known for its reliable and robust V6 engine, providing a smooth and confident ride whether you’re cruising on the highway or navigating city streets. Its performance is tailored to deliver a balanced driving experience, making it an excellent choice for families and daily commuters alike.

Acura MDX Performance Overview:

On the other hand, the Acura MDX steps up the game with a focus on sporty performance and luxury. With its standard V6 engine and an available turbocharged V6 in the Type S model, the MDX offers a more exhilarating driving experience. Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system enhances cornering and stability, making it a joy to drive on winding roads.

Honda Pilot
SPECS

3.5L V6 Engine

285 Horsepower
262 lb-ft Torque

10-Speed Automatic Transmission

Front-Wheel Drive
Available AWD

FWD: ~ 19 mpg city / 27 mpg highway*
AWD: ~ 19 mpg city / 25 mpg highway*

Acura MDX
SPECS

3.5L V6 Engine

290 Horsepower
267 lb-ft Torque

10-Speed Automatic Transmission
+ Sequential SportShift Paddle Shifters

Front-Wheel Drive
Available SH-AWD

FWD: ~ 19 mpg city / 26 mpg highway*
AWD: ~ 19 mpg city / 25 mpg highway*

Acura MDX
Type S SPECS

3.0L Turbo-V6 Engine

355 Horsepower
354 lb-ft Torque

10-Speed Automatic Transmission
+ Sequential SportShift Paddle Shifters
& Rev-Matching Downshifts

Super Handling
All-Wheel Drive
(SH-AWD)

AWD: ~ 17 mpg city / 21 mpg highway*

Honda Pilot vs. Acura MDX

UTILITY SPECS

Utility in the realm of midsize SUVs is all about versatility, practicality, and the ability to adapt to a wide range of needs and activities. It’s not just about how much you can carry, but how easily and efficiently you can do it. From towing capacities and cargo volumes to clever storage solutions and roof rack capabilities, utility encompasses all the features that make an SUV a true workhorse. Whether you’re hauling sports gear, embarking on a family road trip, or simply tackling the daily grind, a vehicle’s utility features ensure that you have the space, strength, and flexibility to handle whatever life throws your way.

Honda Pilot

Max Towing Capacity

FWD models: Up to 3,500 lbs
AWD models: Up to 5,000 lbs

Roof Rack Weight Limit

165 lbs Max

Max Cargo Volume

113.7 Cubic Feet

Acura MDX

Max Towing Capacity

FWD models: Up to 3,500 lbs
SH-AWD models, including Type S: Up to 5,000 lbs

Roof Rack Weight Limit

165 lbs Max

Max Cargo Volume

95.0 Cubic Feet

The Honda Pilot is designed with practicality in mind, offering ample cargo space, impressive towing capacities, and thoughtful storage solutions. It’s the go-to vehicle for families who need a versatile and spacious SUV that can handle everything from grocery runs to weekend getaways.

The Acura MDX, while also practical, adds a touch of luxury to its utility features. It offers competitive cargo space and towing capabilities, but with a more refined approach. The MDX’s interior is designed to maximize comfort and convenience, with high-quality materials and advanced technology that make every journey enjoyable.

Honda Pilot vs. Acura MDX

STYLING

Interior & Exterior Design Features

2025 Honda Pilot vs. 2025 Acura MDX: A Comprehensive Comparison

Styling in the world of midsize SUVs is where form meets function, creating vehicles that are not only practical but also visually appealing. Exterior design elements like bold grilles, sleek lines, and distinctive lighting can make a statement on the road, reflecting the personality and preferences of the driver. Inside, the focus shifts to comfort and sophistication, with high-quality materials, thoughtful layouts, and advanced features that enhance the driving experience. Whether it’s the luxurious feel of leather seats, the convenience of intuitive controls, or the ambiance created by ambient lighting, interior and exterior styling play a crucial role in defining the character and appeal of an SUV. It’s about creating a harmonious blend of aesthetics and functionality that resonates with drivers and passengers alike.

Honda Pilot Exterior Styling Overview:

The Honda Pilot sports a rugged, squared-off design that hints at off-road capability, especially in the TrailSport trim with its higher ground clearance and skid plates.
It features LED headlights and taillights, a bold front grille, and alloy wheels ranging from 18 to 20 inches, with an available panoramic sunroof to let the sunshine in.

  • Design: A blend of ruggedness and refinement with a bold front grille and streamlined body
  • Lighting: LED headlights and taillights for enhanced visibility
  • Roof: Available panoramic sunroof to let the sunshine in
  • Convenience: Hands-free power tailgate on higher trims
  • Wheels: Alloy wheels ranging from 18 to 20 inches

 

Honda Pilot Interior Styling Overview:

The Honda Pilot offers a spacious and practical interior, designed with families in mind.
It features seating for up to eight passengers, with options for leather-trimmed seats and soft-touch materials on higher trims.
The cabin is filled with thoughtful touches like one-touch sliding second-row seats for easy access to the third row and available woodgrain accents for a premium feel.

  • Seating for up to eight passengers with a second-row bench seat
  • Optional captain’s chairs reduce capacity to seven but increase comfort
  • Cloth upholstery on lower trims
  • Leather-trimmed seats on EX-L trim and above
  • Soft-touch materials on dash and doors
  • Available woodgrain accents for a premium feel

Acura MDX Exterior Styling Overview:

The Acura MDX exudes luxury with its sleek and athletic design.
It boasts sharp lines, Acura’s signature Diamond Pentagon grille, Jewel Eye® LED headlights, and Chicane™ LED taillights.
The MDX also offers a panoramic moonroof standard across all trims and stylish alloy wheels ranging from 19 to 21 inches, with sporty designs on the Type S.

  • Design: Sleek and athletic with sharp lines and Acura’s signature Diamond Pentagon grille
  • Lighting: Jewel Eye® LED headlights and Chicane™ LED taillights for a distinctive look
  • Roof: Panoramic moonroof standard across all trims
  • Convenience: Hands-free power tailgate with foot-activated sensor
  • Wheels: Stylish alloy wheels ranging from 19 to 21 inches, with sporty designs on Type S

 

Acura MDX Interior Styling Overview:

The Acura MDX offers seating for up to seven passengers, with premium leather upholstery and available quilted Milano leather on higher trims.
The interior is adorned with high-quality materials, including open-pore wood trim and brushed aluminum accents.
Ambient interior lighting with selectable themes adds to the upscale ambiance, making every drive a refined experience.

  • Seating for up to seven passengers
  • Standard Multi-functional 2nd-Row with Removable Middle Seat
    • Configurable into a bench seat, a center console, or easily removed for captain’s chairs
  • Premium leatherette upholstery standard
  • Quilted Milano leather with contrast stitching and piping on higher trims
  • Standard Brushed Aluminum Trim
  • Available open-pore wood trim and geometric patterned brushed aluminum accents
  • Ambient interior lighting with selectable themes

 

Honda Pilot vs. Acura MDX

COMFORT & TECH

The Interior Essentials

2025 Honda Pilot vs. 2025 Acura MDX: A Comprehensive Comparison

Comfort and technology are pivotal aspects of modern midsize SUVs, transforming them from mere vehicles into mobile sanctuaries.

Comfort features ensure that every journey, whether a short commute or a long road trip, is as pleasant and relaxing as possible. This includes everything from plush seating and climate control to advanced noise insulation and ergonomic design. On the technology front, today’s SUVs are equipped with cutting-edge infotainment systems, connectivity options, and driver assistance features that keep you entertained, informed, and safe on the road.

Together, these elements create an environment where convenience and enjoyment are seamlessly integrated, making every drive a delightful experience.

A Look at the Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot offers a comfortable and practical interior, designed with families in mind. It features tri-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and one-touch sliding second-row seats for easy access to the third row. The Pilot’s technology includes a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available rear entertainment system, and multiple USB ports for connectivity.

Honda Pilot Comfort Features:

  • Heated seats are available across most trims, with ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel in upper trims.
  • Tri-zone automatic climate control to keep everyone comfortable
  • Heated front seats standard on EX-L trim and above
  • Ventilated front seats and heated second-row seats on higher trims
  • One-touch sliding second-row seats for easy third-row access

Honda Pilot Technology Features:

  • Standard: 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
    • Available 9-Inch Color Touch-Screen with Volume Knob, Customizable Feature Settings and Smart Shortcuts
  • Gauge Cluster: 7-Inch Driver Information Interface Screen
    • Available: 10.2-Inch Driver Information Interface Screen in higher trims
  • Navigation: Available satellite-linked navigation system
  • Connectivity: Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration
  • Available Head-Up Display (HUD) in higher trims
  • Wi-Fi Hotspot: Available with subscription
  • Audio System: 240-Watt Audio System with 7 Speakers, Including Subwoofer
    • Available 245-Watt Audio System with 9 Speakers, Including Subwoofer
    • Available Bose Premium Sound System with 12 Speakers, Including Subwoofer
  • CabinTalk® In-Car PA System (through speakers) in all but Sport trim

A Look at the Acura MDX

The Acura MDX, on the other hand, elevates comfort and technology to a luxurious level. It boasts tri-zone climate control with humidity control, heated and ventilated front seats, and 16-way power-adjustable front seats with a massage function. The MDX’s tech features include a 12.3-inch HD Dual-Content Center Display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a premium audio system, and a head-up display. The MDX also offers advanced driver assistance features and ambient lighting with selectable themes, enhancing both comfort and convenience.

Acura MDX Comfort Features:

  • Takes comfort further with massaging front seats, tri-zone climate control, and plush padding throughout the cabin.
  • Tri-zone automatic climate control with humidity control and air filtration
  • Heated and ventilated front seats standard on most trims
  • Heated second-row seats available
  • 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage function on Advance Package
  • Acura’s Iconic Drive™ ambient lighting with 27 different themes

Acura MDX Technology Features:

  • Standard: 12.3-inch HD Dual-Content Center Display
  • Gauge Cluster: 12.3-in Precision Cockpit™ Digital Instrument Cluster
    • Offering customizable layouts and high-resolution graphics.
  • Interface: True Touchpad Interface™ with handwriting recognition
  • 10.5-in Head-Up Display (HUD) in higher trims
  • Connectivity: Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration
  • Smart Assistant: Amazon Alexa Built-in
  • Navigation: Acura Navigation System with 3D View
  • Wi-Fi Hotspot: Standard with subscription
  • Audio System: Acura Premium Audio System with 11 Speakers
    • Available Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with 19 Speakers
    • Available Bang & Olufsen Ultra Sound System with 31 Speakers
  • CabinTalk® In-Car PA System (through speakers) in all but Sport trim

Honda Pilot vs. Acura MDX

SAFETY FEATURES
& DRIVER AIDS

Peace of Mind for All

2025 Honda Pilot vs. 2025 Acura MDX: A Comprehensive Comparison

Safety and driver aids are paramount in modern midsize SUVs, ensuring that every journey is as secure and stress-free as possible. These features encompass a wide range of technologies designed to prevent accidents and protect occupants, from advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist to robust structural designs and comprehensive airbag systems. The goal is to create a cocoon of safety that not only mitigates the impact of potential collisions but also actively helps drivers avoid them. In essence, safety and driver aids transform the driving experience, providing peace of mind and enhancing overall confidence on the road.

Both models received 5-star crash-test ratings, with the MDX offering more advanced safety tech.

Honda Pilot Safety Features:

  • Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Monitor on higher trims
  • Rearview Camera with multi-angle views
  • Honda Sensing® Suite (standard across all trims)
    • Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™)
    • Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM)
    • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
    • Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
    • Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
    • Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

Acura MDX Safety Features:

  • Blind Spot Information System with Rear Cross Traffic Monitor
  • Surround-View Camera System on higher trims
  • Front and Rear Parking Sensors
  • AcuraWatch™ Suite (standard across all trims)
    • Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™)
    • Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
    • Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow
    • Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
    • Traffic Jam Assist
    • Traffic Sign Recognition

Honda Pilot vs. Acura MDX

SUMMING UP THE COMPARISON

There Is No Wrong Choice,
Just The Best Choice For You

2025 Honda Pilot vs. 2025 Acura MDX: A Comprehensive Comparison

In conclusion, both the 2025 Honda Pilot and the 2025 Acura MDX offer compelling options in the midsize SUV segment, each catering to different needs and preferences. The Honda Pilot stands out with its practicality, spaciousness, and family-friendly features, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize functionality and reliability. Its robust performance, ample cargo space, and advanced safety features ensure that it can handle the demands of everyday life with ease.

On the other hand, the Acura MDX brings a touch of luxury and sportiness to the table, appealing to those who seek a more refined driving experience. With its powerful engine options, sophisticated design, and premium materials, the MDX offers a higher level of comfort and technology. The inclusion of advanced driver aids and safety features further enhances its appeal, providing peace of mind on every journey.

Ultimately, the choice between the Honda Pilot and the Acura MDX comes down to your individual preferences and priorities. If you value practicality, versatility, and a budget-friendly option, the Honda Pilot is a fantastic choice. However, if you desire a blend of luxury, performance, and cutting-edge technology, the Acura MDX is sure to impress. Whichever SUV you choose, both the Pilot and MDX promise a rewarding and enjoyable driving experience, making them standout contenders in the competitive midsize SUV market.


 

Whether you choose the Honda Pilot or the Acura MDX to welcome into your life, Fisher Auto can help you obtain your ideal configuration.

Serving the greater Boulder, CO area – Fisher Honda & Fisher Acura are situated in the same location,
making it easier than ever to explore and compare the models in person.

 

DISCLAIMERS:

*HONDA MSRP includes $1,395 destination charge and any selected accessories. MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, and any accessory installation costs. Dealer prices may vary. MSRP does not include $455 charge for premium colors.

*ACURA Prices shown are Acura suggested retail prices only and do not include taxes, license or destination and handling charge. Destination & Handling charge for cars is $1,195 and SUVs is $1,350. Premium Paint colors are $600 and not included. Acura vehicle accessory costs, labor and installation vary. Dealers set their own prices. Please consult your selected dealer.

*Maximum towing capacity for AWD trims is 5,000 lbs. Maximum towing capacity for 2WD/FWD trims is 3,500 lbs. Towing requires accessory towing

Fisher Auto Dealership 40.0158441, -105.2116116.