Compare the2026 Acura MDXVS 2026 Toyota 4Runner

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Acura MDX’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system costs extra on the Toyota 4Runner.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the MDX uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The 4Runner uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the MDX and the 4Runner have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the MDX is safer than the 4Runner:

	MDX	4Runner
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD

The Acura MDX achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The 4Runner is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

The MDX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The 4Runner’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the MDX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the 4Runner. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the 4Runner ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. With 2 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Acura higher than Toyota.

Engine

The MDX has more powerful engines than the 4Runner:

	Horsepower
MDX 3.5 SOHC V6	290 HP
MDX Type S 3.0 turbo V6	355 HP
4Runner 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder	278 HP
4Runner Trailhunter 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	323 HP
4Runner 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	326 HP

As tested in Car and Driver the Acura MDX is faster than the Toyota 4Runner:

	MDX V6	MDX Type S	4Runner turbo 4 cyl.	4Runner Trailhunter
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	5.4 sec	7.5 sec	6.7 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.6 sec	5.8 sec	8.2 sec	7.4 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.6 sec	3.3 sec	3.9 sec	4.1 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	14 sec	15.7 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	101 MPH	90 MPH	88 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the MDX 3.5 SOHC V6 FWD gets better fuel mileage than the 4Runner Limited RWD (19 city/26 hwy vs. 20 city/24 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the MDX’s fuel efficiency. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regardless of its engine, the MDX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Toyota only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the 4Runner Limited/i-FORCE MAX.

The MDX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura MDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the 4Runner.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the MDX’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the 4Runner:

	MDX	MDX Type S	4Runner
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	14.3 inches	13.4 inches

The MDX stops shorter than the 4Runner:

	MDX	4Runner
70 to 0 MPH	170 feet	178 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	122 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the MDX has larger standard tires than the 4Runner (255/55R19 vs. 245/70R17). The MDX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4Runner (275/40R21 vs. 265/55R20).

The MDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4Runner SR5’s standard 70 series tires. The MDX Type S’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the MDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 4Runner SR5. The MDX Type S’ 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum.

The MDX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The 4Runner doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the MDX can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The 4Runner doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Acura MDX has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Toyota 4Runner has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The MDX Type S has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The MDX’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the MDX’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the 4Runner (113.8 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

The MDX Type S handles at .87 G’s, while the 4Runner Trailhunter pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The MDX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.4 seconds quicker than the 4Runner Trailhunter (25.7 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 29.1 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Chassis

Unibody construction lowers the MDX’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The 4Runner doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The MDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 4Runner doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the MDX Type S is quieter than the 4Runner Trailhunter (68 vs. 70 dB).

Passenger Space

The MDX has 3.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 4Runner (139.1 vs. 136).

The MDX has 4.1 inches more front hip room, 3.9 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 3.7 inches more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more rear hip room, 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room and .9 inches more third row headroom than the 4Runner.

Cargo Capacity

The MDX’s cargo area provides more volume than the 4Runner.

	MDX	4Runner
Behind Third Seat	18.1 cubic feet	12.1 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	48.4 cubic feet	44.8 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	95 cubic feet	84.4 cubic feet

Servicing Ease

The MDX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The 4Runner uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 27% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 24th.

Ergonomics

The MDX offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the 4Runner Premium/Limited/Trailhunter/TRD Pro/Platinum, the MDX offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The MDX’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The 4Runner’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The MDX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the 4Runner’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Poor.”

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the MDX to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The 4Runner doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The MDX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The 4Runner offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The MDX Advance/Type S has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the 4Runner.

The MDX has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the 4Runner Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro.

The Acura MDX has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the 4Runner Premium/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura MDX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the 4Runner TRD/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter offers wireless charging.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Acura MDX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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