MDX vs Nautilus
Few matchups in the midsize luxury suv class come up as often as the MDX against the Nautilus. The MDX has the edge in 3 of the 5 areas we looked at, most visibly in the engine & performance category.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance MDX wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Nautilus wins
- Space & Practicality MDX wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Safety & Tech MDX wins
- Price MDX wins
- Fuel Economy & Range7.9
- Fuel Economy & Range9.1
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The MDX has 40 hp more power
The Nautilus lists 250 hp; the MDX comes in at 290 hp. That’s not a rounding error. The MDX’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
-
The MDX has room for 7 seats
At 7 seats versus 5 seats, this is a decisive lead for the MDX, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. Third-row seats are often best for kids, so check legroom figures if adults will sit there.
-
The Nautilus has better fuel economy
Close, but not identical: the Nautilus lists 24 mpg and the MDX lists 22 mpg. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
-
The Nautilus has better highway fuel economy
The gap on fuel economy (highway) is slim (29 mpg against 26 mpg), yet it tips toward the Nautilus. The Nautilus uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
-
The MDX has a bigger 12.3 in touchscreen
You may not notice this one every day, but the MDX’s 12.3 in is a step ahead of the Nautilus’s 11.1 in. A bigger touchscreen makes maps and phone mirroring easier to read at a glance.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | MDX | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 198.4 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width (no mirrors) | 78.7 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Height | 67.9 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 113.8 in | N/A (not specified) |
Engine & Performance
MDX leads
No contest in engine & performance: the MDX is the stronger of the two. Point to the MDX for 40 hp more power. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels. If engine & performance is your priority, the MDX is the car to pick.
Total system output
MDX: 290 hp Nautilus: 250 hp More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
Fuel Economy & Range
Nautilus leads
Look at the fuel economy & range table and one name keeps coming out on top: the Nautilus. The Nautilus has the edge with better fuel economy. The Nautilus uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot. So if fuel economy & range tops your list, lean toward the Nautilus.
Fuel economy (combined)
MDX: 22 mpg Nautilus: 24 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (highway)
MDX: 26 mpg Nautilus: 29 mpg Highway fuel economy matters if you cover long distances at steady speeds.
Space & Practicality
MDX leads
When it comes to space & practicality, the MDX is comfortably ahead. Choose the MDX and you get room for 7 seats. The MDX has room for more passengers, useful for growing families and carpools. The takeaway: on space & practicality, the MDX is the stronger car.
Seats
MDX: 7 seats Nautilus: 5 seats Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
On paper, the off-road & towing comparison ends all square. Either car will serve you equally well on off-road & towing.
Safety & Tech
MDX leads
Call it a small but real win for the MDX in this area. In its favor, the MDX has a bigger 12.3 in touchscreen. The MDX’s larger display gives navigation and menus more room. The safety & tech verdict goes to the MDX.
Largest touchscreen
MDX: 12.3 in Nautilus: 11.1 in Screen size isn’t everything (physical controls and software speed matter too), but bigger is easier to read.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | MDX | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 3.5L V6 | 2.0L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 290 hp (winner) | 250 hp |
| Torque | 267 lb-ft | N/A (not specified) |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD (SH-AWD available) | AWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | MDX | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 22 mpg | 24 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 19 mpg | 21 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 26 mpg | 29 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel tank | 18.5 gal | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | MDX | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 7 seats (winner) | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 16.3 cu ft | N/A (not specified) |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 71.4 cu ft | N/A (not specified) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | MDX | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | N/A (not specified) |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | MDX | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 12.3 in (winner) | 11.1 in Smallest touchscreen |
| Driver-assist suite | AcuraWatch | Lincoln Co-Pilot360 |
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | MDX | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 198.4 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width (no mirrors) | 78.7 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Height | 67.9 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 113.8 in | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | MDX | Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $51,800 (winner) | $53,940 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Choosing the MDX saves $2,140 at launch prices, which is nice but not decisive. If value matters, the MDX makes a strong case: it saves $2,140 and wins more of the comparison.
Launch prices in the US as of launch; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the MDX if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (290 hp vs 250 hp)
- you regularly carry extra passengers (7 seats vs 5 seats)
- you want the bigger touchscreen (12.3 in vs 11.1 in)
- you’d put the $2,140 saving toward something else
Choose the Nautilus if…
- you drive a lot and want lower running costs (24 mpg vs 22 mpg combined)
- you want better highway fuel economy (29 mpg vs 26 mpg)
- you mostly drive in town (21 mpg vs 19 mpg in the city)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the MDX or the Nautilus?
The MDX makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you need better fuel economy, which only the Nautilus offers.
Which costs less, the MDX or the Nautilus?
At launch, the MDX undercut the Nautilus by $2,140. These figures are as of launch, and street prices can change.
Executive Summary
If it were just about the brand, you wouldn’t be here. So let’s talk about the MDX and the Nautilus on their merits. I keep coming back to one thing: the MDX gets 40 hp more power. There’s a bonus as well: the MDX has room for 7 seats. The Nautilus does have a strong card to play: better fuel economy.
Choose by what you’d use most: engine & performance leads to the MDX, fuel economy & range leads to the Nautilus.
My pick: the MDX gets my vote, but the Nautilus is the right call if you value better fuel economy above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.