2012 Acura MDX vs 2012 Mercedes-Benz M Class

2012 Acura MDX

2012 Mercedes-Benz M Class

Select style

AWD 4-Door

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
MDX AWD 4-Door	16	21	$39,863	$43,030
MDX AWD 4-Door Advance Pkg	16	21	N/A	N/A
MDX AWD 4-Door Advance/Entertainment Pkg	16	21	N/A	N/A
MDX AWD 4-Door Tech Pkg	16	21	$43,226	$46,705
MDX AWD 4-Door Tech/Entertainment Pkg	16	21	$44,965	$48,605

Select style

4MATIC 4-Door ML 350

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
M-Class 4MATIC 4-Door ML 350	17	22	$45,561	$48,990
M-Class 4MATIC 4-Door ML 350 BlueTEC	20	27	$46,956	$50,490
M-Class 4MATIC 4-Door ML 550	15	20	$53,559	$57,590
M-Class 4MATIC 4-Door ML 63 AMG	14	18	$88,341	$94,990

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$39,863

$45,561

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$43,030

$48,990

Monthly Payment Estimate

$717 / month

$817 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.2

Read Our Full Review

8.6

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2012 Acura MDX is not just comfortable and family-friendly; it's one of the most enjoyable three-row crossovers to drive.

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz M Class is improved in nearly way, and remains one of the most luxurious and secure choices for families not needing a third row of seats.

TCC Likes

Strong acceleration
Nimble for a three-row vehicle
Great all-wheel drive system

Smooth, strong, efficient Bluetec
Plush, isolated ride
Handles and maneuvers well

TCC Dislikes

Busy cockpit layout
Grille design remains polarizing
Steering feel

Indecisive shifts (Bluetec)
COMAND interface
Conservative exterior styling

Fuel Economy

City

16 mpg

17 mpg

Highway

21 mpg

22 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Sport Utility Vehicle

Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

Interior Dimensions

Third Shoulder Room (in)

57.1

Second Leg Room (in)

38.7

38.4

Front Head Room (in)

39.2

38.9

Passenger Volume (ft³)

141.8

132.7

Second Hip Room (in)

59.1

58.3

Front Shoulder Room (in)

61.6

58.5

Third Leg Room (in)

28.7

Second Head Room (in)

38.6

38.5

Passenger Capacity

Third Hip Room (in)

42.9

Second Shoulder Room (in)

61.5

58.4

Front Leg Room (in)

41.2

40.3

Third Head Room (in)

35.8

Front Hip Room (in)

59.0

58.3

Exterior Dimensions

Rear Door Opening Width (in)

- TBD -

Height, Overall (in)

68.2

71.5

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Track Width, Rear (in)

67.5

65.2

Wheelbase (in)

108.3

114.8

Rear Door Opening Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

78.5

76.3

Track Width, Front (in)

67.7

64.7

Min Ground Clearance (in)

8.2

5.2

Length, Overall (in)

191.6

188.2

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

- TBD -

41.9

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

42.9

36.2

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

- TBD -

75.0

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

83.5

71.0

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

15.0

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)

- TBD -

Brakes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.0 x - TBD -

13.0 x 1.3

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.2 x - TBD -

12.8 x 0.6

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

21.0

27.7

Steering

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

3.29

3.6

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

17.0

18.6

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

37.6

38.7

Steering Type

Variable Pwr Rack & Pinion

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P255/55HR18

P255/50R19

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P255/55HR18

P255/50R19

Spare Tire Size

T165/80D17

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

500

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

1080

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

5000

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

7200

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4550

4751

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Alloy

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

- TBD -

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 x 8.0

19 x 8.0

Spare Wheel Size (in)

17 x 4

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Alloy

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 x 8.0

19 x 8.0

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

9.2

10.0

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

550

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

130

- TBD -

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

270 @ 4500

273 @ 3500-5250

Engine Order Code

Displacement

3.7L/224

3.5L/213

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

300 @ 6300

302 @ 6500

Engine Type

Gas V6

Fuel System

Electronic Fuel Injection

Direct Injection

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.56

0.82

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.36

4.38

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.49

1.92

Trans Type

Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), High

- TBD -

Drivetrain

All Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.75

1.00

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.27

3.42/2.23

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.10

2.86

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

4.25

3.90

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.07

1.37

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), Low

- TBD -

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.73

Summary

Vehicle Name

Acura MDX

Mercedes-Benz M-Class

Body Style

4 Door

Suspension

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

0.95

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

0.91

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-link

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Double-Wishbone

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

10.2

9.6

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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