Compare the2025 Lincoln NavigatorVS 2025 Acura MDX

The Navigator has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The MDX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Navigator. But it costs extra on the MDX.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Navigator’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The MDX doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Navigator and MDX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Navigator has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The MDX’s Rear Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Navigator and the MDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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 driver alert monitors.

The Lincoln Navigator weighs 1153 to 1661 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 2 times as many Lincoln dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Navigator’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Navigator’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the MDX’s camshafts. If the MDX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The Navigator has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The MDX doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

The Navigator’s 3.5 turbo V6 produces 150 more horsepower (440 vs. 290) and 243 lbs.-ft. more torque (510 vs. 267) than the MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6. The Navigator’s 3.5 turbo V6 produces 85 more horsepower (440 vs. 355) and 156 lbs.-ft. more torque (510 vs. 354) than the MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6.

The Navigator has 5.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the MDX (23.6 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lincoln Navigator higher (6 out of 10) than the Acura MDX (4). This means the Navigator produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the MDX every 15,000 miles.

The Navigator’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 Navigator has larger standard tires than the MDX (275/50R22 vs. 255/55R19). The Navigator Black Label’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the MDX (285/40R24 vs. 275/40R21).

The Navigator’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the MDX’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Navigator has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the MDX. The Navigator Black Label’s optional 24-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels on the MDX Type S.

The Lincoln Navigator’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 Navigator’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The MDX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Navigator’s wheelbase is 8.7 inches longer than on the MDX (122.5 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Navigator has a 1.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (8.9 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Navigator to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Navigator offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the MDX can only carry 7.

The Navigator has 33 cubic feet more passenger volume than the MDX (172.1 vs. 139.1).

The Navigator has 1.9 inches more front legroom, 2.6 inches more front hip room, 3.4 inches more front shoulder room, 3.5 inches more rear legroom, 3.9 inches more rear hip room, 4.8 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.2 inches more third row headroom, 14.4 inches more third row legroom, 10.8 inches more third row hip room and 9 inches more third row shoulder room than the MDX.

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

Flexibility is maximized at the game, campground or a drive-in theatre in the Navigator when its optional tailgating rear seats are deployed, allowing people to sit facing out of the tailgate. (Do not use while vehicle is in motion.) The MDX doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

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

	Navigator	MDX
Behind Third Seat	22.9 cubic feet	18.1 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	60.8 cubic feet	48.4 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	107 cubic feet	95 cubic feet

Pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the Navigator’s second row seats and pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The MDX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Navigator’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The MDX’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The Navigator’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the MDX’s (6200 vs. 3500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Acura MDX SH-AWD is only 5000 pounds. The Navigator offers up to a 8700 lbs. towing capacity.

The Navigator with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Navigator can be unhitched and driven around locally. The MDX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The engine in the Navigator 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 power windows standard on both the Navigator and the MDX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Navigator 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.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Navigator’s exterior PIN entry system. The MDX doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its AcuraLink can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Navigator’s standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Access System standard on the MDX doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Navigator’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The MDX’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Navigator has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The MDX doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Navigator also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Lincoln Navigator has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the MDX.

The Navigator has standard heated front, second and third row seats (third row heated seats on Black Label), which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Acura doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the MDX.

The Navigator has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally 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.

The Navigator has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the MDX Advance.

Both the Navigator and the MDX offer available massaging front seats. The Navigator Black Label also has standard massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the MDX.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Navigator as the 2018 North American Truck of the Year. The MDX was last chosen in 2001.