Model Year | 2013 | 2008 | |
Model | Acura MDX | BMW 3-Series | |
Engine | |||
Transmission | |||
Drivetrain | |||
Body | 4dr SUV | 4dr Wagon | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 108.3 in | 108.7 in | -0.4 in |
Length | 191.6 in | 178.2 in | 13.4 in |
Width | 78.5 in | 71.5 in | 7 in |
Height | 68.2 in | 55.8 in | 12.4 in |
Curb Weight | 4550 lb. | 3462 lb. | 1088 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 21.0 gal. | 15.9 gal. | 5.1 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 39.2 in | 38.5 in | 0.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 61.6 in | 55.4 in | 6.2 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 59.0 in | 0.0 in | 59 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 41.2 in | 41.5 in | -0.3 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 38.6 in | 38.0 in | 0.6 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 61.5 in | 55.1 in | 6.4 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 59.1 in | 0.0 in | 59.1 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 38.7 in | 34.6 in | 4.1 in |
Headroom, Row 3 | 37.5 in | 0.0 in | 37.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 3 | 57.1 in | 0.0 in | 57.1 in |
Hip Room, Row 3 | 42.0 in | 0.0 in | 42 in |
Legroom, Row 3 | 29.1 in | 0.0 in | 29.1 in |
Total Legroom | 109 in (over 3 rows) | 76.1 in (over 2 rows) | 32.9 in |
Cargo Volume, Minimum | 15.0 ft3 | 24.8 ft3 | -9.8 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Behind R2 | 42.9 ft3 | 24.8 | 18.1 ft3 |
Cargo Volume, Maximum | 83.5 ft3 | 58.0 ft3 | 25.5 ft3 |
2013 Acura MDX Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
That's it for the significant advantages of the new Acura MDX. Most things it does well, but not significantly better than the generally good segment averages. It's quick, but not thrillingly so. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and cushier than those in the Infiniti, but provide less lateral support than those in the smaller Acura RDX and are no match in comfort or support for those in a BMW X5, a Lexus RX, or the big buck Mercedes reviewed a few weeks ago. Ride quality, like the seats, is good but short of luxurious. With additional sound deadening and laminated front door glass, the 2014 MDX is quieter than the 2013, but this only brings it in line with the others. By the same token, there aren't many clear reasons to reject the 2014 MDX. The most obvious follows from its relatively compact size: though (as already mentioned) cargo volume is more than competitive, there's less room in the rearmost row than in the QX60. By sliding the second row up a couple of inches (it has a half-foot of travel), adults of middling size will fit back there. But with their butt low and knees high they won't be comfortable. The QX60 offers far more combined legroom based on the spec sheets, and a couple more inches in the real world. (The Acura's specs seem to under-represent reality for passengers even as they might over-represent it for cargo.) But the Infiniti's seats are flatter and less comfortable. The new Hyundai Santa Fe offers more legroom than the Infiniti, while Ford's large crossovers could be best of all for transporting up to seven adults--if still not as good as the typical minivan. see full Acura MDX review |
2013 Acura MDX Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2012 | 4dr SUV 300-horsepower 3.7L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The interior prioritizes appearance over actual utility; it's surprisingly cramped for such a large vehicle. For example, my Highlander is roughly the same size externally but seems downright cavernous on the inside in comparison. A rear passenger can fully stretch out in the Toyota. Not so in the Acura. see full Acura MDX review |
2008 BMW 3-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2008 | 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Sport seats fit me exceptionally well. Plush enough for the wife to enjoy a long drive. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
I found the sport package seats comfortable see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 2dr Coupe 414-horsepower 4.0L V8 6-speed manual RWD |
Power seats are very comfortable, even for long hauls. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2007 | 2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
More padding, slightly larger than e46 sport seats, fully adjustable side bolsters and the Dakota leather seems thicker and softer than the e-46 leather. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
back support see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 BMW 3-Series Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2009 | 2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Limited for adults see full BMW 3-Series review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan 414-horsepower 4.0L V8 7-speed automated manual RWD |
Wish the rear seats had 1" more legroom. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2009 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual AWD |
With a 6-foot driver, rear seat room is barely adequate for adults, for short trips. This is typical for this car segment, though. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2009 | 0 | Not much room in rear see if driver is 6 feet tall see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Too small for most adults. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
ride is very jiggly, can feel every imperfection in the road. I think the tires may be very poor for this car. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
It has a back seat, but unless it is a short trip it is very tight for adults. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
A bit small for me, both in the seat and in the cabin in general. see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Wagon 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Tighter quarters in rear than RX see full BMW 3-Series review |
2008 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
With a young family, not much room in the back seat for children in car seats. see full BMW 3-Series review |