2026–27 Mazda CX-90 vs Acura MDX: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the CX-90 — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–0 across 5 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($39,700 vs $51,800) and better fuel economy (26 mpg vs 22 mpg best EPA combined). The MDX doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Scorecard: CX-90 3.5 pts · MDX 0 pts across 5 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 CX-90 | 2026 MDX | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $39,700 | $51,800 | CX-90 |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | — | 1.21 | No data |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 26 mpg | 22 mpg | CX-90 |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 340 hp | 355 hp | Tie |
| Max towing (1) | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb | Tie |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | — | 16.3 cu ft | No data |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 5.6% off MSRP | 5.3% off MSRP | Tie |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | — | 3 | No data |
| Weighted points | 3.5 | 0 | CX-90 |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the CX-90 — 26 mpg vs 22 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the CX-90 — $39,700 vs $51,800 (starting MSRP).
- Towing. Towing: it's a wash — CX-90 5,000 lb vs MDX 5,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The CX-90 starts at $39,700 and tops out at $58,700; the MDX runs $51,800 to $75,850 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified CX-90 buyers paid a median 5.6% off MSRP across 13 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 6.6% off. 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
- CX-90: 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).
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 CX-90 | 2026 MDX | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $39,700 | $51,800 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $58,700 | $75,850 |
| Horsepower | 280–340 hp | 290–355 hp |
| Max torque | 369 lb-ft | 354 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 25–26 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 19–22 mpg |
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | — / 8 | — / 7 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | — | 16.3 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
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More on the Mazda CX-90
More on the Acura MDX
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the CX-90 better than the MDX?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the CX-90 — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–0 across 5 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($39,700 vs $51,800) and better fuel economy (26 mpg vs 22 mpg best EPA combined). The MDX doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Which is more reliable, the CX-90 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.
Which holds its value better, the CX-90 or the MDX?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the CX-90 or the MDX?
The CX-90 starts lower: $39,700 vs $51,800 starting MSRP (before destination). Verified buyers paid a median 5.6% off MSRP on the CX-90 (13 deals) and 5.3% on the MDX (5 deals).
Which has better gas mileage, the CX-90 or the MDX?
The CX-90: up to 26 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, "2026–27 Mazda CX-90 vs Acura MDX: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/mazda-cx-90-vs-acura-mdx, updated November 8, 2026.