2016 Acura MDX vs Honda Pilot Comparison
2016 Acura MDX
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2016 Honda Pilot
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Standard Engine: |
3.5 L V6 |
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Horsepower: |
280 hp @ 6000 rpm |
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Torque: |
262 ft-lbs. @ 4700 rpm |
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Transmission: |
6-speed automatic |
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Upholstery: |
Cloth |
Acura MDX vs Honda Pilot
Serving Clearwater, Tampa, Largo, St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor, FL
The Honda brand and its luxury Acura lineup have long been a kind of mirror world twins. Acura vehicles would frequently borrow technology and platforms from Honda, while it turn Acura’s advanced electronics and luxury features would eventually come down to higher-end Honda models. However, as mainstream vehicles improve in their level of refinement and luxury, the distance between a luxury brand like Acura and a mainstream one like Honda decreases, especially among large crossover SUVs. However, Acura still has a lot to offer over their mainstream cousins. Today, we compare the 2016 Honda Pilot with the 2016 Acura MDX. Both cars share the basic platform, power train and a lot of technical features. But which of the two cars comes out on top?
Performance
One would think that, since they share an engine and a transmission, the 2016 Pilot and the 2016 MDX would have just about the same performance. In that case, one would be wrong. Both cars are powered by a 3.5-liter direct injection V6 engine. On the Pilot, that engine produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Thanks to higher quality materials and better tuning, the same engine produces more power on the MDX. There, it is rated at 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. While not a huge difference on paper, it is reflective of a similar higher quality standard throughout the vehicle. Added up, it makes for more responsive handling, better traction and, of course, faster acceleration.
Comfort and Quality
The quality difference between the MDX and the Pilot is reflected not only in its performance specifications, but also in its interior comfort and quality. The driver’s seat position is very similar in both cars, offering a comfortable driving position and making it easy to both see the road and access the various well-laid out controls. Small touches, however, place the 2016 MDX ahead of its Honda cousin. The center console is better contoured, offering a better fit for the driver’s knees and the seats are offer better bolstering and support, making long drives even more comfortable.
Safety
Since the 2016 Honda Pilot and the 2016 Acura MDX are built on the same platform, they both enjoy similarly high safety scores from both of the major crash testing agencies in the United States. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave both cars perfect scores across the board and declared them both as its Top Safety Pick Plus – a very prestigious award. Likewise, both cars received five out of five stars – the maximum score – as their overall crash test score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, little details do make the difference between the two cars. In the subcategories of the NHTSA ratings, the 2016 Pilot received only four out of five stars on its frontal crash test. The 2016 MDX, meanwhile, scored a perfect five out of five stars.
It may be difficult to compare two cars that are so similar and pick a winner. Both the 2016 Honda Pilot and the 2016 Acura MDX are very formidable vehicles with lots of power, very comfortable and well-apportioned interiors and near-perfect safety accolades. However, on closer inspection the differences in quality between what Honda and Acura did using the same technologies becomes evident. The 2016 MDX squeezes more power and better performance out of the same engine, transmission and suspension. It also offers a more comfortable and stylish interior within the same dimensions. And finally, it offers a slightly safer drive. Visit our showroom at your local Acura dealership today, and you can see for yourself all the advantages the 2016 Acura MDX quality has to offer.
* Based on 2016 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery pack age/condition (hybrid models only) and other factors.