Compare the2025 Acura MDXVS 2024 Lincoln Navigator

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Acura MDX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Lincoln Navigator doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Acura MDX achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Lincoln Navigator has not been tested.

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 Navigator uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the MDX and the Navigator 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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 Acura MDX is safer than the Lincoln Navigator:

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the MDX is 4.2% to 5.7% less likely to roll over than the Navigator.

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 Navigator has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the MDX’s reliability 19 points higher than the Navigator.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura above average in initial quality. With 31 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln With 35 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Acura higher than Lincoln.

As tested in Motor Trend the MDX Type S 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the Lincoln Navigator:

On the EPA test cycle the MDX gets better mileage than the Navigator:

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

The MDX has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Navigator. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

For better stopping power the MDX Type S’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the Navigator:

The MDX stops much shorter than the Navigator:

The MDX Type S’ tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Navigator’s optional 45 series tires.

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 Navigator 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 Navigator doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

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 Navigator doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The MDX Type S handles at .87 G’s, while the Navigator Black Label pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The MDX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.7 seconds quicker than the Navigator Black Label (25.7 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

The Acura MDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1100 to 1600 pounds less than the Lincoln Navigator.

The MDX is 11.6 inches shorter than the Navigator, making the MDX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The MDX is 9.2 inches shorter in height than the Navigator, making the MDX much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

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 Navigator doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the MDX Type S is quieter than the Navigator Black Label (36 vs. 42 dB).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Lincoln. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 12% lower rating, Lincoln is ranked 15th.

The MDX’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Navigator’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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

When the MDX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Navigator’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The MDX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Navigator doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the MDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the MDX will cost $3205 to $7830 less than the Navigator over a five-year period.

The MDX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the MDX will retain 50.63% to 53.63% of its original price after five years, while the Navigator only retains 46.45% to 49.93%.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Acura MDX, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lincoln Navigator isn't recommended.

The Acura MDX outsold the Lincoln Navigator by 43% during 2024.