Acura MDX vs Kia Telluride

There are more three-row SUVs on the market these days than ever before. It seems like everyone wants a vehicle that not only has some extra space just in case they need it, but also the features and equipment that adults, kids, and even those moody teens want in order to make their ride fun and comfortable.

When you head to an Acura dealer, you’ll find the Acura MDX and Kia dealers have the Telluride, which are two of the top choices in the mid-size SUV market. But which one fits your lifestyle?

Similar Power for Most Trims

Both the MDX and the Telluride use a V-6 engine. The engine under the MDX’s hood delivers 290 horsepower, and the Telluride gets 291 horsepower. The big difference in performance between these two SUVs comes with the MDX Type S. This version of the Mazda has a 3.0-liter turbo V-6 gas engine that puts out 355 horsepower and gets 354 pound-feet of torque.

It also has a sport-tuned suspension, and its transmission and all-wheel drive system are tuned for sportier performance.

Interior Space

You’ll have room for up to seven people in the Telluride and MDX with the standard configuration. If you opt for the second-row bench seat in the Telluride, you can increase this to eight. The Acura has a slight edge when it comes to cargo space. If you fold down the third row, you can get 48.4 cubic feet of gear in the back, while the Telluride has 46 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row.

If you fold down the second row, it only gets better for the Acura. Behind the front seats, the MDX’s cargo space grows to 95 cubic feet, while the Telluride still comes in at an impressive 87 cubic feet.

It’s A Tech Thing

Infotainment screens keep getting larger, and both the Telluride and MDX demonstrate this with their 12.3-inch screens. The Telluride has a touchscreen, and the MDX uses a touchpad controller. Both use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. If you go to an Acura dealer for the MDX, even the base trim will come with wireless charging, a wireless version of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a digital gauge cluster in front of the driver along with a nine-speaker stereo system.

The base Telluride LX has a six-speaker stereo, and if you step up to the S trim, it adds wireless charging. The SX is where you’ll see the technology step up in the Telluride. This trim has a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon stereo, and it adds memory settings for the driver’s seat. Another bump up to the SX Prestige and you’ll get a 110-volt power outlet, just in case you need to plug something in, whether it’s a tablet, a computer, or something else.

If you’ve decided that the MDX is the right SUV for you, any Acura dealer will have this popular crossover ready for you to drive home.