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Acura MDX vs BMW X5

2026 Acura MDX vs 2026 BMW X5 — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Acura MDX

2026 Acura MDX

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WD
VS3 – 3Tie: 3 categories each
BMW X5

2026 BMW X5

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The BMW X5 is more fuel-efficient: 25 vs 22 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $450 a year less in fuel for the BMW X5 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Acura MDX is the bigger car, about 6 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Acura MDX has had fewer recall campaigns (34 vs 85).

The two cars

The 2026 Acura MDX is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (3.5L 6-cyl and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 198 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,506 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

The 2026 BMW X5 is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.4L 8-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 194 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 117-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,558 lb (M60i 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 MDX and the 2023 X5 have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2016 MDX and the 2019 X5.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Premium Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid
3.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

22 MPG
Best combined MPG
25 MPG
19 city
City / highway MPG (best)
23 city
$3,750
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$3,300

Performance & space

290 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
523 hp
198.4 in
Length
192.1 in
78.7 in
Width
78 in
66.9 in
Height
68.9 in
4,506 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
5,181 lb

Safety & reliability

9
Driver-assist features standard
9
1
Recalls (2026)
2
34
Recalls, all years since 2005
85
9
Owner complaints (latest year)
28

Interest

9,898
Wikipedia views, 30 days
25,895

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2023
2016
Year to avoid
2019

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Acura MDX if…

  • You want more room (6 in longer)
  • You put reliability history first (34 vs 85 recalls since 2005)

Choose the BMW X5 if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (25 vs 22 MPG)
  • You want more power (up to 523 vs 290 hp)
  • You want something easier to park (6 in shorter)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Pros & cons of each

2026 Acura MDX

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 22 MPG combined, 27% below the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Modest powerUp to 290 hp, versus about 409 hp for similar 2026 models.

2026 BMW X5

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 25 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (21.7 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 Acura MDX specs →Full 2026 BMW X5 specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →