Compare the2025 Acura MDXVS 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

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 Jeep Grand Cherokee L 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee L has not been tested.

Both the MDX and the Grand Cherokee L 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the MDX is much safer than the Grand Cherokee L:

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Acura MDX is safer than the Grand Cherokee L:

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 Grand Cherokee L is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

The MDX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Grand Cherokee L’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the MDX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Jeep covers the Grand Cherokee L. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Grand Cherokee L ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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 24 points higher than the Grand Cherokee L.

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 Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura above average in initial quality. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 14 places higher in reliability than Jeep.

The MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (267 vs. 260) than the Grand Cherokee L’s 3.6 DOHC V6. The MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 62 more horsepower (355 vs. 293) and 94 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 260) than the Grand Cherokee L’s 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Acura MDX is faster than the Jeep Grand Cherokee L:

On the EPA test cycle the MDX 3.5 SOHC V6 SH-AWD gets better fuel mileage than the Grand Cherokee L 4x4 (19 city/25 hwy vs. 18 city/25 hwy).

Regardless of its engine, the MDX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Jeep only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Grand Cherokee L V6.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura MDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Grand Cherokee L.

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

The MDX stops much shorter than the Grand Cherokee L:

The MDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Grand Cherokee L’s standard 60 series tires. The MDX Type S’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Grand Cherokee L Summit’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the MDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Grand Cherokee L.

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 Grand Cherokee L doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the MDX is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than on the Grand Cherokee L.

The MDX Type S handles at .87 G’s, while the Grand Cherokee L Limited 4x4 pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The MDX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.5 seconds quicker than the Grand Cherokee L Overland (25.7 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

The Acura MDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 300 pounds less than the Jeep Grand Cherokee L.

The MDX is 6.5 inches shorter than the Grand Cherokee L, making the MDX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the MDX Type S is quieter than the Grand Cherokee L Limited 4x4:

The MDX has .3 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front hip room, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear hip room, 2.3 inches more rear shoulder room and 3.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the Grand Cherokee L.

The MDX’s cargo area provides more volume than the Grand Cherokee L.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Jeep. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 23% lower rating, Jeep is ranked 21st.

The MDX’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Grand Cherokee L’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully. Only its driver’s window closes automatically.

If the windows are left open on the MDX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Grand Cherokee L can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Consumer Reports rated the MDX’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Grand Cherokee L’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The Acura MDX has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the Grand Cherokee L Limited/Overland/Summit.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura MDX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Grand Cherokee L.

Insurance will cost less for the MDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the MDX will cost $425 less than the Grand Cherokee L over a five-year period.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Acura MDX, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L isn't recommended.