2026 Acura MDX vs Toyota Highlander: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Highlander — it leads our weighted scorecard 5.5–2.5 across 8 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($46,270 vs $51,800) and fewer NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (0.39 vs 1.21). Choose the MDX if you want the most power (355 hp vs 265 hp).
Scorecard: MDX 2.5 pts · Highlander 5.5 pts across 8 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 MDX | 2026 Highlander | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $51,800 | $46,270 | Highlander |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | 1.21 | 0.39 | Highlander |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | — | 52.7% | No data |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 22 mpg | 35 mpg | Highlander |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 355 hp | 265 hp | MDX |
| Max towing (1) | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb | Tie |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 16.3 cu ft | 16 cu ft | Tie |
| Standard seats (1) | — | 7 | No data |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 5.3% off MSRP | 1% off MSRP | MDX |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 3 | 10 | MDX |
| Weighted points | 2.5 | 5.5 | Highlander |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Highlander — 35 mpg vs 22 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the Highlander — 0.39 vs 1.21 (NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Highlander — $46,270 vs $51,800 (starting MSRP). Used, the median asking price is $30,977 for the MDX vs $27,723 for the Highlander.
- Towing. Towing: it's a wash — MDX 5,000 lb vs Highlander 5,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The MDX starts at $51,800 and tops out at $75,850; the Highlander runs $46,270 to $55,675 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified MDX buyers paid a median 5.3% off MSRP across 5 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 8.7% off. Verified Highlander buyers paid a median 1% off MSRP across 19 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 3.5% off. Used, the median asking price is $30,977 for the MDX and $27,723 for the Highlander (all model years, US dealer listings).
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).
- Highlander: 0.39 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 67th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: MDX 3, Highlander 10.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: MDX 2016 (avoid) · Highlander 2016 (solid).
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 | 2026 Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $51,800 | $46,270 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $75,850 | $55,675 |
| Horsepower | 290–355 hp | 243–265 hp |
| Max torque | 354 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 19–22 mpg | 24–35 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | — / 7 | 7 / 8 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 16.3 cu ft | 16 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| MDX | Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 198.4 in | 194.9 in |
| Width | 78.7 in | 76 in |
| Height | 67.9 in | 68.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 113.8 in | 112.2 in |
| Ground clearance | 7.3 in | 8 in |
Resale: 5-year value retained
There's no 5-year retention figure for the MDX yet. A 5-year-old (2021) Highlander lists for a median $30,260 — 52.7% of today's median new price of $57,374.
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More on the Acura MDX
More on the Toyota Highlander
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the MDX better than the Highlander?
On our data, no — the Highlander comes out ahead. Our pick: the Highlander — it leads our weighted scorecard 5.5–2.5 across 8 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($46,270 vs $51,800) and fewer NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (0.39 vs 1.21). Choose the MDX if you want the most power (355 hp vs 265 hp).
Which is more reliable, the MDX or the Highlander?
On federal data, the Highlander: owners filed 0.39 NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold versus 1.21 for the MDX (2015–2022 sales years). That's complaint volume, not a survey score. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 MDX and 10 for the Highlander.
Which holds its value better, the MDX or the Highlander?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the MDX or the Highlander?
The Highlander starts lower: $46,270 vs $51,800 starting MSRP (before destination). Verified buyers paid a median 5.3% off MSRP on the MDX (5 deals) and 1% on the Highlander (19 deals).
Which has better gas mileage, the MDX or the Highlander?
The Highlander: up to 35 mpg combined vs 22 mpg for the MDX (best EPA rating across each lineup).
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 Acura MDX vs Toyota Highlander: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/acura-mdx-vs-toyota-highlander, updated November 8, 2026.