2026–27 Acura MDX vs Land Rover Discovery: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Discovery — it leads our weighted scorecard 1–0.5 across 4 categories, winning on more towing capacity (8,200 lb vs 5,000 lb). Choose the MDX if a shorter recent recall list matters to you (3 vs 7).
Scorecard: MDX 0.5 pts · Discovery 1 pts across 4 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 MDX | 2027 Discovery | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $51,800 | — | No data |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | 1.21 | — | No data |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 22 mpg | 21 mpg | Tie |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 355 hp | 355 hp | Tie |
| Max towing (1) | 5,000 lb | 8,200 lb | Discovery |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 16.3 cu ft | — | No data |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 5.3% off MSRP | — | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 3 | 7 | MDX |
| Weighted points | 0.5 | 1 | Discovery |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — MDX 22 mpg vs Discovery 21 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Towing. Towing: the Discovery — 8,200 lb vs 5,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models. Verified MDX buyers paid a median 5.3% off MSRP across 5 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 8.7% off.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- MDX: 1.21 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 10th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Discovery: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: MDX 3, Discovery 7.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: MDX 2016 (avoid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2026 MDX | 2027 Discovery | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $51,800 | — |
| Top-trim MSRP | $75,850 | — |
| Horsepower | 290–355 hp | 355 hp |
| Max torque | 354 lb-ft | 369 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 19–22 mpg | 19–21 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 8,200 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | — / 7 | — / 7 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 16.3 cu ft | — |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Shop both
- See new 2026 Acura MDX for sale →
- See 382 new 2027 Land Rover Discoverys for sale →Median listed price $77,579 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
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More on the Acura MDX
More on the Land Rover Discovery
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the MDX better than the Discovery?
On our data, no — the Discovery comes out ahead. Our pick: the Discovery — it leads our weighted scorecard 1–0.5 across 4 categories, winning on more towing capacity (8,200 lb vs 5,000 lb). Choose the MDX if a shorter recent recall list matters to you (3 vs 7).
Which is more reliable, the MDX or the Discovery?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 MDX and 7 for the Discovery.
Which holds its value better, the MDX or the Discovery?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the MDX or the Discovery?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the MDX or the Discovery?
It's a wash: 22 mpg vs 21 mpg best EPA combined.
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Acura MDX vs Land Rover Discovery: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/acura-mdx-vs-land-rover-discovery, updated November 8, 2026.