The Highlander has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The MDX doesn't offer a whiplash protection system.

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Acura MDX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Acura MDX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Acura doesn't pay scheduled maintenance for the MDX.

There are over 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Highlander's warranty.

The camshafts in the Highlander's engine are driven by a hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs. The MDX's camshafts are driven by a rubber belt that needs periodic replacement. If the MDX's cam drive belt breaks the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without their vehicle while it's being repaired. Consumer Reports predicts that the Highlander's reliability will be 22% better than the MDX.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 9th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 26th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota third in reliability, above the industry average. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 11th.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Highlander uses regular unleaded gasoline. The MDX requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better stopping power the Highlander's front brake rotors are larger than those on the MDX:

The Highlander's front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the MDX's (60% to 40%). This gives the Highlander more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the Highlander has a greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (8 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Highlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Highlander has standard seating for 8 passengers; the MDX can only carry 7.

The Highlander has 12.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the MDX (144.9 vs. 132.3).

The Highlander has 2.6 inches more front headroom, 2.8 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more rear headroom, 1.8 inches more rear legroom, .5 inches more rear shoulder room, .3 inches more third row headroom, .3 inches more third row legroom, 5 inches more third row hip room and .3 inches more third row shoulder room than the MDX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Highlander's middle and third row seats recline. The MDX's third row seats don't recline.

The Highlander's optional rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The MDX's rear cargo window doesn't open.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Highlander Limited detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The MDX doesn't offer automatic dimming high beams.

To shield the driver and front passenger's vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Highlander has standard extendable sun visors. The MDX doesn't offer extendable visors.

Insurance will cost less for the Highlander owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Highlander will cost $1100 to $2985 less than the MDX over a five-year period.

The Highlander will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The Intellichoice estimates that the Highlander will retain 58.27% to 61.09% of its original price after five years, while the MDX only retains 48.49% to 52.45%.

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Highlander will be $13146 to $15083 less than for the Acura MDX.

The Toyota Highlander has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Highlander second among midsize SUVs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner's expectations. The MDX isn't in the top three in its category.