Compare the2023 Toyota SequoiaVS 2023 Acura MDX

The Sequoia has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The MDX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Sequoia 4x4’s optional Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The MDX doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

Both the Sequoia and the MDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 and available four-wheel drive.

The Toyota Sequoia weighs 832 to 1914 pounds more than the Acura MDX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

There are almost 5 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sequoia’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in initial quality. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Acura is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Acura is ranked 28th.

The Sequoia’s 3.4 turbo V6 hybrid produces 147 more horsepower (437 vs. 290) and 316 lbs.-ft. more torque (583 vs. 267) than the MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6. The Sequoia’s 3.4 turbo V6 hybrid produces 82 more horsepower (437 vs. 355) and 229 lbs.-ft. more torque (583 vs. 354) than the MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the Sequoia 4x4 gets better fuel mileage than the MDX Type S 3.0 turbo V6 (19 city/22 hwy vs. 17 city/21 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the Sequoia’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The MDX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Sequoia has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the MDX (22.5 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Sequoia’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the MDX are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Sequoia has larger standard tires than the MDX (265/70R18 vs. 255/55R19). The Sequoia TRD Pro’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the MDX (285/65R18 vs. 275/40R21).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Sequoia Capstone has standard 22-inch wheels. The MDX’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Toyota Sequoia’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Acura MDX only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Sequoia has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the MDX; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sequoia’s wheelbase is 8.2 inches longer than on the MDX (122 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sequoia is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the MDX.

For greater off-road capability the Sequoia has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (8.6 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Sequoia to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Sequoia uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The MDX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

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

The Sequoia has .7 inches more front headroom, 3.3 inches more front hip room, 3.1 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, .7 inches more rear legroom, 3 inches more rear hip room, 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room, 4.6 inches more third row legroom, 10.3 inches more third row hip room and 7.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the MDX.

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

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

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers or raises the Sequoia’s optional third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The MDX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Sequoia’s 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.

The Sequoia’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the MDX’s (9120 vs. 3500 pounds).

The Sequoia has a much higher standard payload capacity than the MDX (1555 vs. 1173 lbs.).

The Sequoia has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the MDX (1730 vs. 1173 lbs.).

The engine in the Sequoia is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the MDX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The Sequoia’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The MDX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Sequoia and the MDX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Sequoia is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The MDX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Sequoia’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 MDX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Sequoia Limited/TRD Pro/Platinum/Capstone has standard front air conditioned seats and the Sequoia Platinum/Capstone also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The MDX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.