2026–27 Genesis GV80 vs Acura MDX: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the MDX — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–2 across 5 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($51,800 vs $58,850) and fewer recalls on the 2023–2025 model years (3 vs 6). Choose the GV80 if you want the most power (409 hp vs 355 hp).
Scorecard: GV80 2 pts · MDX 2.5 pts across 5 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 GV80 | 2026 MDX | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $58,850 | $51,800 | MDX |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | — | 1.21 | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 37.2% | — | No data |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | Tie |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 409 hp | 355 hp | GV80 |
| Max towing (1) | 6,000 lb | 5,000 lb | GV80 |
| 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) | 6 | 3 | MDX |
| Weighted points | 2 | 2.5 | MDX |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — GV80 22 mpg vs MDX 22 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the MDX — $51,800 vs $58,850 (starting MSRP).
- Towing. Towing: the GV80 — 6,000 lb vs 5,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The GV80 starts at $58,850 and tops out at $84,100; the MDX runs $51,800 to $75,850 (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.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- GV80: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- MDX: 1.21 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 10th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: GV80 6, MDX 3.
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
| 2027 GV80 | 2026 MDX | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $58,850 | $51,800 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $84,100 | $75,850 |
| Horsepower | 300–409 hp | 290–355 hp |
| Max torque | 405 lb-ft | 354 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 19–22 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 19–22 mpg |
| Max towing | 6,000 lb | 5,000 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | — / 7 | — / 7 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | — | 16.3 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) GV80 lists for a median $30,920 — 37.2% of today's median new price of $83,093. There's no 5-year retention figure for the MDX yet.
Shop both
- See 6,480 new 2027 Genesis GV80s for sale →Median listed price $77,389 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See new 2026 Acura MDX for sale →
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Genesis GV80
More on the Acura MDX
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the GV80 better than the MDX?
On our data, no — the MDX comes out ahead. Our pick: the MDX — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–2 across 5 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($51,800 vs $58,850) and fewer recalls on the 2023–2025 model years (3 vs 6). Choose the GV80 if you want the most power (409 hp vs 355 hp).
Which is more reliable, the GV80 or the MDX?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 GV80 and 3 for the MDX.
Which holds its value better, the GV80 or the MDX?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the GV80 or the MDX?
The MDX starts lower: $51,800 vs $58,850 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the GV80 or the MDX?
It's a wash: 22 mpg vs 22 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 Genesis GV80 vs Acura MDX: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/genesis-gv80-vs-acura-mdx, updated November 8, 2026.