I always use some kind of all-season mats or liners in our vehicles. I ordered the WeatherTech "Digital Fit" floorliners for the MDX before our vehicle arrived. Our MDX came with the Acura all-season mats included, but I removed them on day 2 based on the following evaluation. I hope that this may help those deciding between the two.
The WeatherTechs are listed as the same fit for the 2014, 2015, and 2016 models. As of this writing, the 2017 MDX hasn't been shipped yet, and I have no idea of whether the current mats will fit it.
The main feature of the WeatherTechs is the additional area protected, most notably in the front driver's floorliner. A floorliner usually covers more area than a mat, though one can argue about the definitions.
The Acura mats use a more rubbery material so they don't maintain any shape, but are thus "grippy" under your footwear. The WeatherTech mats use a stiffer, thermoplastic or similar material so they aren't as "sticky" but the retain their shape.
This is the front driver's side comparison. Note that both have the notches to "lock in" the mat using the toggle buttons on the floor of the MDX. You can see a huge difference in coverage.
I overexposed the photos a bit so you could see more detail in the mats. Each floor tile is 12" square so you get the idea of how big the WeatherTechs are.
In the following photo, I nested the Acura mat inside the WeatherTech to show the additional area the WeatherTech covers
But it's more than just the flat area -- the WeatherTech is far deeper and actually runs up the sides a bit, to try to contain any spills and cover more area under the pedals. I guess the stiffer thermoplastic helps it go for a deeper shape.
Here is a photo of the WeatherTech installed in the driver's area. It covers the area under the brake and gas pedals, runs up the console a bit, and covers more than half of the dead pedal. I think the Acura mats don't attempt to cover the area under the pedals because the floppier rubber could interfere with the pedals and cause lawsuits. I don't see how the WeatherTechs could have that problem because they are stiff and there's no bending, and it's locked in with the Acura fasteners.
For the front passenger, the WeatherTech runs up the sides more than the Acura model. It's much deeper. Again, it has the notches to securely lock into the Acura toggle fasteners.
Here are the second-row mats, with the Acura nested inside the WeatherTech ones. One difference here is that the WeatherTech does NOT have the notches to lock onto the Acura toggle fasteners on the floor. This must have been a conscious decision as there are molded "bumps" to go over them. After playing with it, I don't think there's anything lost here as I don't see how that mat can move by itself in a limited space, and the "bumps" do catch onto the shape of the fasteners even though it's not the same as locking in.
OTOH the WeatherTech also covers some additional area going under the front seats. It covers the ends of the front seat rails and the area in between. I've tested it with the front seats all the way back and there is no interference. The lip of the liner of the WeatherTech is deeper, though not as pronounced as in the front mats.
Because the WeatherTech's second row liner is bigger, it's a slightly tougher install to insert it correctly. Once it's in, it doesn't budge, though. Been there 2.5 months and two kids haven't dislodged it.
I didn't buy the third row mats; we rarely use the third row.
Summing it up ...
Why buy the WeatherTech?
Why buy the Acura?
I decided to keep the WeatherTechs rather than returning them While I don't routinely track a bucket of mud on my boots into the MDX, dirt does get there. The deciding factor was how much more coverage there was under the pedals.
The WeatherTechs are listed as the same fit for the 2014, 2015, and 2016 models. As of this writing, the 2017 MDX hasn't been shipped yet, and I have no idea of whether the current mats will fit it.
The main feature of the WeatherTechs is the additional area protected, most notably in the front driver's floorliner. A floorliner usually covers more area than a mat, though one can argue about the definitions.
The Acura mats use a more rubbery material so they don't maintain any shape, but are thus "grippy" under your footwear. The WeatherTech mats use a stiffer, thermoplastic or similar material so they aren't as "sticky" but the retain their shape.
This is the front driver's side comparison. Note that both have the notches to "lock in" the mat using the toggle buttons on the floor of the MDX. You can see a huge difference in coverage.
I overexposed the photos a bit so you could see more detail in the mats. Each floor tile is 12" square so you get the idea of how big the WeatherTechs are.
In the following photo, I nested the Acura mat inside the WeatherTech to show the additional area the WeatherTech covers
But it's more than just the flat area -- the WeatherTech is far deeper and actually runs up the sides a bit, to try to contain any spills and cover more area under the pedals. I guess the stiffer thermoplastic helps it go for a deeper shape.
Here is a photo of the WeatherTech installed in the driver's area. It covers the area under the brake and gas pedals, runs up the console a bit, and covers more than half of the dead pedal. I think the Acura mats don't attempt to cover the area under the pedals because the floppier rubber could interfere with the pedals and cause lawsuits. I don't see how the WeatherTechs could have that problem because they are stiff and there's no bending, and it's locked in with the Acura fasteners.
For the front passenger, the WeatherTech runs up the sides more than the Acura model. It's much deeper. Again, it has the notches to securely lock into the Acura toggle fasteners.
Here are the second-row mats, with the Acura nested inside the WeatherTech ones. One difference here is that the WeatherTech does NOT have the notches to lock onto the Acura toggle fasteners on the floor. This must have been a conscious decision as there are molded "bumps" to go over them. After playing with it, I don't think there's anything lost here as I don't see how that mat can move by itself in a limited space, and the "bumps" do catch onto the shape of the fasteners even though it's not the same as locking in.
OTOH the WeatherTech also covers some additional area going under the front seats. It covers the ends of the front seat rails and the area in between. I've tested it with the front seats all the way back and there is no interference. The lip of the liner of the WeatherTech is deeper, though not as pronounced as in the front mats.
Because the WeatherTech's second row liner is bigger, it's a slightly tougher install to insert it correctly. Once it's in, it doesn't budge, though. Been there 2.5 months and two kids haven't dislodged it.
I didn't buy the third row mats; we rarely use the third row.
Summing it up ...
Why buy the WeatherTech?
- You want superior coverage especially for the driver. I'm disappointed how little area the Acura mats cover and how gunk can easily accumulate in front of the mat.
- You want protection against spills that can be contained by the deeper lips (though the second row WeatherTech mat isn't that much deeper, and that's where the spilling kiddies would ride ... so it's more you and your latte, or your passenger dropping their grande or beer can).
- You prefer the smoother, non-gripping surface (good for softer-sole shoes that can grab too much).
- You want mats that are easier to do a heavy cleaning on (hose them down). The Acura mats are rubbery and have deeper molded channels that don't release the dirt as easily and take longer to dry. The WeatherTechs are smoother and release the dirt quicker and dry faster. Keep in mind that the 2nd row WeatherTech mats are harder to put in/remove than the Acuras, though.
Why buy the Acura?
- You don't want to spend as much. I see occasional coupons on the WeatherTechs, but they're more expensive. Especially if you get the Acura mats for free!
- You want a grippier mat (if you wear dress shoes with smooth bottoms, they'd slide around more on the WeatherTechs, even with the ribs) (then again if you wear those kind of shoes in the MDX you probably don't need either mat anyway!).
- You require the MDX logo on your mat, to remind you and your front passenger that you have an MDX.
I decided to keep the WeatherTechs rather than returning them While I don't routinely track a bucket of mud on my boots into the MDX, dirt does get there. The deciding factor was how much more coverage there was under the pedals.