2025 Buick Enclave vs 2025 Acura MDX

The 2025 Acura MDX underwent subtle styling updates, including a new grille, revised front bumper, and darkened headlights and taillights, which enhanced its sporty and performance-oriented appearance. Most versions received new wheel designs, adding to the SUV's visual appeal. Inside, the MDX saw more significant changes with the introduction of a new touchscreen infotainment system, replacing the previous touchpad interface and providing additional storage. The seats from the previous MDX Type S model were incorporated into the MDX Advance package and MDX A-Spec Advance, while the Type S received a new seat design. Acura also improved cabin quietness with added sound insulation and acoustic laminated window glass. Despite the quality, the gloss black plastic trim on the dashboard was prone to collecting dust and smudges. The MDX offered logically located controls, including a volume knob and quick-access buttons for the head-up display and safety features. The new A-Spec Advance trim level combined luxury with a sportier look, and the test vehicle with Apex Blue Pearl paint and a $1,350 destination charge had an MSRP of $69,950. The base MDX started at $50,900, with various trims available, including the top-tier MDX Type S Advance at $74,950 plus destination charge.

The 2025 Buick Enclave presented a bold and sharp design, reminiscent of the Envista, with slim DRLs, a large angular grille, and a high beltline. The side profile appeared more generic, but overall, the Enclave looked more refined than its predecessor. It featured fewer creases, a flatter roof, and slightly sharpened wheel arches. The base Preferred trim and Sport Touring came with 20-inch wheels, while the Avenir trim boasted 22-inch wheels with a special finish. Inside, the Enclave offered a modern and premium feel with a floating center console and a large curved display, creating an airy and futuristic ambiance. The Sport Touring test car had perforated leatherette seats with contrast piping, enhancing the interior's appeal. However, the limited sunroof availability was a drawback, as it was not offered on the base trim and only became standard on the top trim. The Enclave's interior packaging was similar to the less expensive Chevy Traverse, but expectations were higher for Buick as a near-luxury SUV brand.

The 2025 Acura MDX positioned itself as a performance-oriented luxury SUV, featuring A-Spec design and Type S engineering. The Type S model boasted a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. Most MDX buyers opted for the standard 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 hp at 6,200 rpm and 267 lb-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The MDX offered a torque-vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, standard on the A-Spec trim and optional on lower trims. The SUV weighed over 4,500 pounds with SH-AWD, providing good power but not exceptional speed. It featured Comfort, Normal, Sport, Snow, and Individual driving modes, with the Sport mode offering the best powertrain response. However, using Sport mode frequently reduced fuel economy, with the A-Spec Advance rated at 21 mpg combined, while the test vehicle averaged 18.4 mpg. The MDX handled twisty roads confidently, though it felt soft on undulating surfaces. It offered a smooth and comfortable ride in typical driving situations, with swift acceleration for merging onto freeways. The MDX was not designed for off-roading, with limited ground clearance unless equipped with the Type S Advance's air suspension.

The 2025 Buick Enclave featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel-drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations, with AWD reducing fuel economy from 23 to 21 mpg combined. The Enclave could tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Buick provided two versions of Active Noise Cancellation, with the road noise-targeting iteration standard and the engine noise-targeting version available on higher trims. The turbo engine was loud and tended to rev more than expected, making the active engine noise cancellation a recommended upgrade. The Enclave was classified as a mid-size crossover but drove like a full-size vehicle, with noticeable bulk and loose steering at slower speeds. While driving dynamics were not a top priority for Enclave shoppers, the vehicle's size and handling were comparable to competitors like the Mazda CX-90.

The 2025 Acura MDX offered 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and eight massage programs in the MDX Advance and MDX A-Spec Advance trims. These seats were wrapped in perforated, piped, and quilted leather, providing exceptional comfort and support. The second row could be configured as a three-person bench or individual bucket seats, with a foldable middle section for cupholders and storage. The outboard second-row seats were comfortable with ample legroom and thigh support, and side window shades were available on all but the base model. The third-row seat was challenging for adults to access and uncomfortable for grown-ups, making it suitable for children. In-cabin storage included a new center console tray, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and small storage areas in the armrests and door panels. Cargo volume measured 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, with a sizable well on the left side and a large compartment under the load floor. Folding the third row provided 39.1 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 71.4 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2025 Buick Enclave featured eight-way power adjustability for the driver's seat and six-way for the front passenger's seat. Captain's chairs were standard for the second row, accommodating up to seven passengers. The steering wheel and front seats were heated, with heated second-row seats and front-row ventilation available on the Avenir trim. A two-position memory feature was standard on the Avenir and available as an add-on for lower trims. Tri-zone climate control allowed middle-row passengers to manage their temperature. The top trim offered a one-touch power feature for folding and sliding the second-row seats, with power-folding third-row seats available on lower trims. The AutoSense liftgate opened with proximity, revealing 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place. Folding the third row expanded cargo volume to 57.1 cubic feet, and with both rear rows folded, it measured 97.5 cubic feet.

The 2025 Acura MDX introduced a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Alexa Built-in and Google Built-in, offering complimentary access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play for three years. This system replaced the previous True Touchpad Interface, providing a more intuitive and natural interface. However, SiriusXM satellite radio was not available unless streamed through a smartphone app. The MDX featured AcuraLink connected services, an AT&T 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and upgraded sound systems, with the base model offering 11 speakers and higher trims featuring Bang & Olufsen audio systems with up to 31 speakers. The new infotainment system paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, offering two themes and a graphic representation of the MDX. A 10.5-inch head-up display provided comprehensive data, though blind-spot monitoring alerts were absent. The MDX Advance and MDX A-Spec Advance included a surround-view camera system with front, side, and rear views, easily activated using a button on the windshield wiper stalk.

The 2025 Buick Enclave showcased its premium positioning with a large 30-inch curved display, integrating the infotainment display and digital gauge cluster. While seamless most of the time, smartphone projection interrupted the landscape background. A 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system was standard, with the Avenir trim offering a 16-speaker Bose Performance system. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, with Google Built-In providing native access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and other apps. Wi-Fi hotspot capability was also standard, with wired charging available for all passengers through USB ports in each row.

The 2025 Acura MDX featured hardware upgrades for its AcuraWatch driver assistance features, improving accuracy and refinement. The expanded AcuraWatch 360 debuted as an exclusive feature on the MDX Type S Advance, offering front cross-traffic alert, evasive steering warning, and active lane-change assist. All MDX models included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control and Traffic Jam Assist were standard, with front and rear parking sensors and low-speed automatic braking available on higher trims. The 2025 MDX retained its five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though SH-AWD models lacked a rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not yet commented on the 2025 MDX, but the 2024 model earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating.

The 2025 Buick Enclave prioritized safety with advanced driver-assistance tech, including blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. HD Surround Vision with seven selectable camera views was standard, with the option to increase to nine views. Adaptive cruise control was standard, while a head-up display was optional for all but the top trim. The Enclave featured GM's Teen Driver technology, allowing parents to set speed and volume limits and receive driving reports. Super Cruise, GM's hands-free highway driving technology, was available on all trims for an additional cost, with a subscription required after three years. The 2025 Enclave had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2024 model received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and performed well in most IIHS tests.