2018 Acura MDX vs. 2018 Ford Explorer
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2018 Acura MDX and 2018 Ford Explorer contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2018 Acura MDX and the 2018 Ford Explorer.
When we compare the 2018 Acura MDX's and the 2018 Ford Explorer's specifications and ratings, the 2018 Acura MDX has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, reliability and overall quality score. The 2018 Ford Explorer has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, resale value and interior volume. The 2018 Acura MDX and 2018 Ford Explorer have the same base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2018 Acura MDX's and the 2018 Ford Explorer's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2018 Acura MDX ranges from $19,977 to $30,583 while a used 2018 Ford Explorer is priced between $14,999 to $28,892.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2018 Acura MDX loses 51.5 percent of its value and the 2018 Ford Explorer loses 47.6 percent of its value. This means the 2018 Ford Explorer retains 3.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2018 Acura MDX.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Acura MDX is 8.9 out of 10 while the Ford Explorer's quality rating is 8.7 out of 10. This results in the Acura MDX being ranked 1 out of 68 Best Luxury Crossover SUVs and the Ford Explorer being ranked 7 out of 32 Best Midsize SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Acura MDX is 9.3 out of 10. For the Ford Explorer the reliability rating is 8.5 out of 10. This gives the Acura MDX a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Ford Explorer.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the 2018 Acura MDX and the 2018 Ford Explorer makes 290 horsepower. The MDX is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 527 miles. The Explorer is rated to deliver an average of 20 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 446 miles. This gives the 2018 Acura MDX the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2018 Ford Explorer. The MDX uses premium unleaded, and the Explorer uses regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are crossover/midsize SUVs, the 2018 Ford Explorer has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the 2018 Acura MDX and the 2018 Ford Explorer have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$44,200
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$59,001
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$39,035 - $105,100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$32,140
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
$30,126
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$22,995 - $34,810
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$25,355
Price Range:
$19,977 - $30,583
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$32,210
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$20,650 - $46,727
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
177
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
76,445
# Good or Great Deals:
61
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$21,806
Price Range:
$14,999 - $28,892
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
$22,710
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$14,757 - $32,004
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,220
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
85,701
# Good or Great Deals:
492
Acura MDX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.9 / 10
Reliability:
9.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.3 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Ford Explorer Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.7 / 10
Reliability:
8.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2018 Acura MDX
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.4
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
4.7
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
1.9 - 7.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
64.7%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2018 Ford Explorer
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
4.5
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
2.6 - 7.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
19.5%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
13.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
3.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
0.9 - 13.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.1
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
4.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
2.1 - 16.3
Acura MDX Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 68Ranking
1 out of / 68Ranking
1 out of / 68Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 29Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
12 out of / 20Ranking
12 out of / 20Ranking
13 out of / 20Ranking
14 out of / 68Ranking
16 out of / 68Ranking
16 out of / 20Ranking
17 out of / 29Ranking
18 out of / 20Ranking
19 out of / 29Ranking
21 out of / 68Ranking
21 out of / 29Ranking
22 out of / 29Ranking
23 out of / 29Ranking
23 out of / 29Ranking
25 out of / 68Ranking
26 out of / 29Ranking
31 out of / 59Ranking
34 out of / 68Ranking
37 out of / 68Ranking
46 out of / 68Ranking
49 out of / 68Ford Explorer Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 67Ranking
2 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 18Ranking
3 out of / 17Ranking
4 out of / 39Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
5 out of / 39Ranking
5 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
7 out of / 32Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
8 out of / 39Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 39Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
11 out of / 39Ranking
12 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 39Ranking
13 out of / 39Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 16Ranking
14 out of / 39Ranking
14 out of / 21Ranking
15 out of / 67Ranking
15 out of / 32Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 39Ranking
17 out of / 34Ranking
17 out of / 32Ranking
20 out of / 39Ranking
20 out of / 28Ranking
22 out of / 39Ranking
22 out of / 39Ranking
23 out of / 32Ranking
25 out of / 39Ranking
28 out of / 30Ranking
29 out of / 67Ranking
37 out of / 67Ranking
53 out of / 59Ranking
59 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2018 Acura MDX Trim Levels
Base, SH-AWD, SH-AWD w/Advance, SH-AWD w/Advance w/RES, SH-AWD w/Tech, SH-AWD w/Tech w/RES, w/Advance, w/Advance w/RES, w/Tech, w/Tech w/RES
2018 Ford Explorer Trim Levels
Base, Limited, Platinum, Police Interceptor Utility, Sport, XLT
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
290 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
267 foot-lbs @ 4700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.072 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
290 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
255 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.065 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 27 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
371 / 527 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
17 / 24 / 20
Range (city/hwy):
316 / 446 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Captain's seat:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Quad Seats:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Quad Seats:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
61.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
59.1 inches
Cargo Space:
15 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
68.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
147.7 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
61.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
61 inches
Cargo Space:
21 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
81.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
172.5 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4001 lbs
Width:
77.7 inches
Height:
67.4 inches
Length:
196.2 inches
Wheelbase:
111 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4443 lbs
Width:
90.2 inches
Height:
70 inches
Length:
198.3 inches
Wheelbase:
112.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.8 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/60R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P245/60R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Pearl
Gray
Modern Steel Metallic
Red
Basque Red Pearl II
Silver
Lunar Silver Metallic
White
White Diamond Pearl
Blue
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Shadow Black
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Ingot Silver
White
Oxford White
Blue
Blue
Interior Colors
Beige
Parchment
Black
Ebony
Gray
Graystone
Interior Colors
Beige
Medium Stone
Black
Not available
Gray
Not available
