We love to see a thrillingly close SUV comparison, but the battle between Mazda CX-90 vs. Acura MDX SUVs is a bit lopsided. The three-row Mazda CX-90 overcomes its Acura MDX competition in engine torque, fuel economy, trim options, passenger seating, interior space – and the list goes on. You deserve a top-performing SUV, which means you deserve the stunning specs and style of a new Mazda CX-90.
Take a spin through the new engine specs and cabin features of these two SUVs to see for yourself how driving home in a 2025 Mazda CX-90 is the superior choice. Then, visit us at Greenway Mazda to explore the luxury options!
Are you unsure which 2025 Mazda CX-90 vs. Acura MDX trim to choose? The Mazda models are refined and elegant, while the Acura options are trendy but less luxurious.
The six regal Mazda CX-90 trims exude sophistication with LED headlights and taillights, heated side mirrors, and aluminum roof rails for additional storage. Here is your menu of options:
The 2025 Acura MDX offers six trim levels:
This lineup gives off a sporty vibe but is decidedly less elegant than the Mazda CX-90. Each Acura MDX edition features LED headlights and taillights, but roof rails only exist on the final three trims.
With seating for up to eight passengers, the new Mazda CX-90 cabin is spacious and well-designed. Interior accents, piping, and finishes create a sense of maturity and class, while available leather upholstery and a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter elevate the vehicle's styling.
The Mazda CX-90 dash features a 10.25-inch full-color center display with infotainment voice command. Opt for any higher-level trim to gain wireless phone charging and a 12.3-inch center display. Climbing the ladder further will net you a Mazda Navigation System and a Bose® Centerpoint® surround sound system with AudioPilot®. Like the Mazda model, the 2025 Acura MDX cabin features standard leatherette upholstery. Top trims add similar features, such as Bang & Olufsen® premium audio system. However, these top tiers are tens of thousands of dollars over the MSRP of the top Mazda CX-90 models.
Whether you choose a Mazda CX-90 or Acura MDX, you will get standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration, three-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, a push-button start, and a power liftgate, but the Mazda trims give you a third row that can more easily fit taller individuals – and the model can possibly fit eight passengers with its flexible bench seat, where the Acura can only ever fit seven.
Gain intense driving confidence and a buttery smooth ride with the 3.3-liter turbo inline-six-cylinder engine of the new Mazda CX-90. This finely tuned, muscular engine revs up to speed with 332 pound-feet of torque in its first five trims. Boost your engine power to 369 pound-feet of torque in upper trims, and enjoy standard i-Activ AWD® capability across the board.
Try as they might, the Acura MDX specs fall short. Its 3.0-liter turbo six-cylinder generates slightly more horsepower than the Mazda SUV, but its 267 pound-feet of standard torque is a significant downgrade. You'll have to choose the range-topping Acura trim to gain 354 pound-feet of torque, which still can't compete with the upper-tier Mazda CX-90 models. You'll also need to climb trim levels for standard AWD or add to your base trim or Technology Package price tag to upgrade out of the standard FWD.
Another critical aspect of Mazda CX-90 vs. Acura MDX performance is fuel economy, and the Mazda SUV dominates yet again. Sign a Mazda CX-90 lease and gain an M Hybrid System and turbocharged engine combo that allows entry-level Mazda CX-90 trims to produce an EPA-estimated 24/28/25 MPG (City/Highway/Combined).1 The upper three Mazda trims deliver a similar 23/28/25 MPG (City/Highway/Combined).1
Meanwhile, the 2025 Acura MDX MPG feels like taking a giant step backward. This SUV maxes out at an EPA-estimated 19/26/22 MPG (City/Highway)2 in FWD and only manages a paltry 17/21/19 MPG (City/Highway/Combined)2 with AWD in its Type S Advance trim.
Those interested in even greater efficiency can talk to our team about the Mazda CX-90 PHEV option.
| 2025 MAZDA CX-90 3.3 TURBO S PREMIUM PLUS | 2025 ACURA MDX TYPE S ADVANCE | |
| Engine | e-SKYACTIV®-G 3.3L turbo I-6 w/ M Hybrid Boost | 3.0L twin-scroll turbo 6-Cyl |
| Horsepower | 340 | 355 |
| Torque | 369 lb-ft | 354 lb-ft |
| Drivetrain | i-ACTIV AWD® | SH-AWD |
| EPA-Est. MPG (City / Hwy / Comb) | 23 / 28 / 251 | 17 / 21 / 192 |
| Cargo Volume (Behind 1st Row) | 74.2 cu ft | 71.4 cu ft |
| Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs3 | 5,000 lbs4 |
| Max. Passenger Seating | 8 | 7 |
At 201.6 inches long and 84.9 inches wide, the new Mazda CX-90 is the more spacious vehicle in this comparison. Mazda engineers thoughtfully designed the cabin to give passengers more headroom and legroom in the first, second, and third rows, making it the ideal choice for families with multiple children. Second-row seats are also fitted with easy tilt-and-slide access to make the back seat even more accessible.
The Acura MDX is over three inches shorter than the Mazda CX-90. Don't expect to seat teenagers or adults in the Acura SUV's third row – the headroom and legroom are ideal for small children in the family. While the Acura SUV's standard cargo capacity is slightly larger, you'll ultimately gain more storage space in the Mazda CX-90 when you fold the second row or the second and third rows flat.
When shopping for the highest quality SUV, it's important to compare Mazda CX-90 vs. Acura MDX safety features and ratings. Aside from the typical Blind-Spot, Stability Control, and LATCH child seat systems in both vehicles, the Mazda CX-90 comes equipped with more advanced safety features.
From a Driver Attention Alert system that attunes to your fatigue to Smart Brake Support and Vehicle Exit Warning that helps you avoid collisions, the Mazda SUV promotes high-tech safety and security at every level. Both vehicles take home a 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award,5,6 but only the Mazda CX-90 has reached a top-three placement for mid-size SUVs from Car and Driver.7
Capture SUV class and elegance in a new Mazda CX-90 when you visit Greenway Mazda Houston. Make an appointment with our finance team to explore our new vehicle specials and drive home with the confidence of new-car savings and excellent performance!
There are multiple important differences between the Mazda CX-90 and the Acura MDX, the most notable being fuel economy, cabin space, passenger seating, and engine torque. The Mazda CX-90 dominates in all these categories with up to an EPA-estimated 24/28 MPG (City/Highway),1 extra headroom and legroom in all three rows, seating for eight, and boosted engine torque.
A direct Mazda CX-90 vs. Acura MDX size comparison highlights that the Mazda CX-90 SUV is longer and taller, while the Acura MDX is wider – this translates to a more maneuverable drive and luxuriously roomy cabin for up to eight passengers in the Mazda model. Meanwhile, the Acura MDX is shorter and narrower, has less headroom and legroom in every row, and only seats seven.
Official 0-60 rates for these vehicles have not been released. On one hand, the Mazda CX-90 offers drivers more torque. However, it is a larger vehicle than the Acura MDX. To see how quickly you can get up to speed in the Mazda SUV, stop by our dealership for a test drive today and experience the Mazda SUV's torque and speed for yourself!
1EPA-estimated mileage. Actual results will vary.
2Based on 2025 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, and other factors.
3Towing capacities shown are maximums and must be reduced by the weight of any passenger, cargo hitch or optional equipment in the towing vehicle. Please refer to vehicle Owner's Manual for details regarding towing capacities and other valuable information. Towing a trailer may have an effect on vehicle's handling, braking, durability, performance and driving economy. For specific information on recommended or required equipment, see your Mazda Dealer. Hitches are available through manufacturers other than Mazda.
4Towing requires the addition of the Acura accessory trailer hitch and hitch ball. Please see your Acura dealer for details. Added cargo weight in the vehicle may reduce max towing capacity, see Owners Guide for details.
5Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, visit https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/mazda/cx-90-4-door-suv/2025
6Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, visit https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/acura/mdx-4-door-suv/2025
7This information is not verified by the official manufacturer and shall serve solely as unofficial general information. For details, visit: https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-suvs/
