Head-to-Head Comparison: 2024 Acura MDX vs. 2024 Mercedes GLE 350

• The 2024 Acura MDX and 2024 Mercedes GLE 350 at in the same vehicle category.
• If you cannot afford the 2024 GLE350, you can go for the 2024 Acura MDX.
• While they have similarities, they are still quite different from different brands.

The 2024 Acura MDX and the 2024 Mercedes GLE 350 fall within the same category. Both vehicles are luxury compact SUVs that buyers can choose from interchangeably. While they share a lot of similarities, their differences also abound.

In this article, we will be looking at the 2024 Acura MDX and the 2024 Mercedes GLE 350 to determine which of them is better.

2024 Acura MDX Overview

The 2024 Acura MDX gets sleek exterior styling, additional legroom in all three rows, and a long list of tech and interior updates. The MDX has long been one of our more highly recommended models among three-row luxury SUVs.  It also offers most of the same features as rival SUVs for less money. And unlike some other SUVs in the class, the MDX’s third-row seat is roomy. There’s even an available cabin intercom system so you can keep the conversation flowing (or issue an occasional parental directive to younger passengers) and two very good sound systems to choose from.

The 2024 Acura MDX offers four trim levels: MDX, Technology, A-Spec, and Advance. The base and Technology trims come standard with front-wheel drive and offer all-wheel drive as an option. The upper trim levels come standard with AWD.

For 2024 Acura updated its small lineup of cars and SUVs and the three-row MDX happens to be one of them. This SUV takes its handsome styling cues from the compact RDX SUV and TLX sedan, and the cabin boasts luxury materials and features worthy of the Acura’s premium badge. 

Each MDX features an exclusive performance-focused wheel design. Tailor your MDX further with Acura Genuine Accessory wheels. A longer body and tapering cabin create a powerful stance while increasing interior space. 

The 2024 Acura MDX is a seven-seat midsize SUV offered in six trim levels (although Acura calls them packages): MDX, Technology, A-Spec, Advance, Type S, and Type S Advance. The base and Technology trims come with front-wheel drive and offer optional all-wheel drive. All other MDX trims come standard with AWD.

2024 Mercedes GLE 350 Overview

For the 2024 GLE model, Mercedes introduces a GLE-class SUV that experts have described as having the “panache and features you’re familiar with, but rival SUVs in the mid-size segment are closely matched.” Like other Benz, the 2024 model is equipped with lots of tech features and comes with a turbo inline-four engine.

The 2024 GLE350 also has a monolithic dashboard display that provides a lot of digital space. The 2024 GLE350 Mercedes offers more off-road capability when equipped with an optional air suspension that can provide more ground clearance. 

Interestingly, what Mercedes has done to the look of the 2024 GLE350 is giving it a facelift to include a revised front bumper design, an updated grille, new lighting elements, and restyled wheels, and its higher trims come with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. While the GLE has higher trims, experts recommend the GLE350 model because “it moves with enough authority to satisfy most drivers.” Not only that, the GLE350 has the best fuel economy of all the other models.

2024 Acura MDX Vs. 2024 Mercedes GLE 350: Engine and Performance

The base powertrain for the 2024 Acura MDX front driver consists of a 290-hp 3.5-litre V-6 and a 10-speed automatic, and all-wheel drive is available. But if you select the performance-oriented Type S model you’ll get a turbocharged 355-hp 3.0-liter V-6 and standard all-wheel drive.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 comes powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with either rear- or all-wheel drive (4Matic in Mercedes parlance) and a nine-speed automatic transmission that produces 255 horsepower. With the higher trims like the GLE450, you will get 362 horsepower, with the plug-in hybrid, GLE450e producing 381 horsepower, and the GLE580 produces a whopping 504 horsepower.

2024 Acura MDX Vs. 2024 Mercedes GLE 350: Interior Quality

The MDX’s cabin has a premium look and feel, especially on high-end trims, which come with French-stitched leather on the dashboard and open-pore wood intermingled with metal and piano-black accents. Acura has also outfitted the MDX with plenty of creature comforts, such as dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and leather upholstery. The front seats are supportive and comfortable and can be equipped with niceties such as 16-way power adjustability as well as massage. 

The MDX has some other nice interior aspects. The cabin has ample space up front and in the second row. The third row is a bit tight for adults but should suffice for kids. Getting in and out of the cabin takes little effort, and Acura’s push-button seat release for the second row is very easy to use. The middle seat of the second row can be removed for a captain’s chair setup and a centre pass-through that makes third-row access even easier.

The 2024 Mercedes GLE350 comes with fine materials such as genuine leather, wood, and metal imparting a sense of true luxury. The front seats, armrests, and centre console of the SUV can be heated. In the dashboard area, the GLE has some prominent displays and is filled with other tech features. 

The GLE350 also uses a 12.3-inch infotainment display screen that is almost the length of the dashboard and offers several ways to interact with the system, including the MBUX voice recognition system. The MBUX is just like Apple’s Siri and Google’s Virtual Assistant that responds to commands, which helps the driver to keep their hands on the wheel and focus on driving.

2024 Acura MDX Vs. 2024 Mercedes GLE 350: Safety Features

The 2024 Acura MDX comes with a handful of safety features but only a few of these features are standard in the vehicle and they include automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 comes equipped with a series of tech features. However, only a handful of features are standard in the vehicle, and they include automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.

2024 Acura MDX Vs. 2024 Mercedes GLE 350: Price in Nigeria

The starting price of the 2024 Acura MDX in Nigeria is expected from N72 million and above. This price is mainly due to the increased dollar rate in the country, which has impacted the price of commodities. The starting price of the 2024 Acura MDX is N75 million, and above.

2024 Acura MDX vs. 2024 Mercedes GLE 350: Which is Better?

Both vehicles come equipped with great features. However, the 2024 Mercedes GLE 350 has a better-looking interior quality, and greater performance compared to the 2024 Acura MDX.