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If you’re on the hunt for a new SUV to bring fresh excitement and capability to your drives around Westchester County, Yonkers, and Hartsdale, NY, you’ll want to consider all the great offerings from BMW and Acura. Two great SUVs to consider are the BMW X3 and the Acura MDX, both of which offer a great combination of power and luxury.
To help you determine which of these SUVs would be the best fit for your lifestyle, our team at BMW of Westchester has put together this comparison of the BMW X3 vs. Acura MDX. Contact us today.
Vehicle Overview: X3 vs MDX
The BMW X3 is available with three different engine options and has a maximum power output of 382 horsepower and 368 lb-ft torque. The MDX has only one engine that maxes out at only 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, only the X3 is available with a hybrid powertrain comprised of the 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder engine with an integrated electric motor.
Both vehicles receive praise for their comfortable ride quality and stable handling. They’ll also offer a fun driving experience. Both SUVs come standard with paddle shifters, which will give you greater control over gear shifting whenever you want it.
The 2021 BMW X3 even comes standard with Brake Energy Regeneration, a unique feature that takes energy that’s released when braking and converts it into electricity to help power your car’s battery.
Fuel Economy Estimates: BMW X3 vs Acura MDX
If you want a vehicle that will let you spend more time on the road than at a gas pump, you’ll likely want to be driving the BMW X3. Across the board, the X3 is more fuel efficient than the MDX.
The standard configuration of the 2021 X3 earned EPA-estimated 25 city and 29 highway MPG.1 The 2022 MDX falls short, only producing an EPA-estimated 19 city and 26 highway MPG. Since the X3 comes standard with rear-wheel drive and the MDX has front-wheel drive, you’ll notice a difference in the power and traction.
If you want all-wheel drive (AWD), you’ll find that either SUV has powerful systems available. Although, even with intelligent AWD, the BMW X3 achieves EPA-estimated 23 city and 29 highway MPG.1 The fuel economy of the MDX drops to an EPA-estimated 19 city and 25 highway MPG when equipped with AWD.
Interior Features: BMW X3 vs Acura MDX
Inside these SUVs, you’ll find all kinds of luxury features, including standard power-adjustable front seats that make it easy to find a comfortable driving position. Both vehicles also offer a selection of additional features that you can utilize for even more luxury and convenience.
Luckily, 3-zone automatic climate control comes standard in both options to keep your SUV’s cabin at a comfortable temperature in all weather. However, when you need to keep valuables safe inside your cabin, you’ll love having the standard locking glovebox in the BMW X3, something that isn’t available in the MDX at all.
Dimensions and Measurements: X3 vs MDX
For convenience, both SUVs come with a standard power tailgate, so it’s easy to load up the car with cargo. Even when your hands are full, you’ll be able to open your trunk to load in all your groceries. However, when it comes to interior space, the BMW X3 offers more cargo volume and passenger space.
With all seats in use, the BMW X3 interior offers 28.7 cubic feet of cargo space, while the Acura MDX has just 16.3 cubic feet of space in its trunk. If you’re loading up for a road trip or family vacation, you might have to pack significantly lighter with the MDX.
Even your passengers will have more room to spread out and get comfortable inside the 2021 X3 than the 2022 MDX. The BMW X3 offers front passengers up to 41.1 inches of front headroom. Meanwhile, in the MDX, front passengers only have 38.5 inches of front headroom to work with.
Modern Technology Features
The BMW X3 and the Acura MDX come with powerful infotainment systems that can bring connectivity and entertainment to your daily commutes.
Both systems come standard with Bluetooth® connectivity as well as Apple CarPlay™ integration, allowing you to access your music and contacts straight from your phone. They also both offer standard USB ports to help you keep your devices fully charged.
When you’re in the mood to jam out to your favorite music, you’ll want your SUV to come equipped with a powerful sound system. That’s why the X3 comes standard with a 12-speaker stereo system. On the other hand, the standard audio system on the MDX will only give you nine speakers.
Safety and Driver Assistance: 2021 X3 vs 2022 MDX
In terms of safety, these vehicles have some of the best safety technology on the road. While these SUVs share a lot of features modern drivers tend to look for in their next vehicle, the BMW X3 has a little more of the technology that drivers desire.
Both vehicles come standard with features like a rear-view camera. However, available Icon Adaptive Full LED Headlights are offered on the X3. These lights will follow the direction of your steering wheel to make sure your headlights are always lighting up the parts of the road you need to see. This incredibly useful feature isn’t available with the MDX.
Additionally, the BMW X3 comes standard with Park Distance Control for the front and rear. This feature can warn you if you get too close to obstacles while parking. While the MDX offers a similar feature, it does not come standard on all trim levels, meaning you’ll have to upgrade trims to have it.
Choose Your Ideal SUV: BMW X3 vs Acura MDX
Ready to decide which of these great luxury SUVs is the right fit for you? Our team at BMW of Westchester thinks that drivers will appreciate the powerful engine options and great convenience offered by the X3.To learn more about this SUV, contact us today to schedule a test drive. We’ll set you up to get behind the wheel of the 2021 BMW X3 for yourself and hit the streets of Westchester County, Yonkers, and Hartsdale, New York.
1 Preliminary EPA-estimated figures are for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary, depending on speed, driving habits, trip length, and driving conditions; actual mileage may be lower.
