[jsfbay]

This is an interesting link. The MDX has a higher depreciation rate than the Pilot. While this link is valuable, it does not have a 1/1 comparison with the ‘23 Pilot. But as I had researched before buying my MDX, the depreciation rate continues to be higher.

Acura MDX vs. Honda Pilot - iSeeCars.com

How do the Acura MDX and Honda Pilot compare? Use our comparison tool to see over 140 data points, including price, trims, reliability ratings, mpg, rankings, horsepower, depreciation, and standard and optional equipment.

www.iseecars.com

Most luxury brands suffer the same problem of higher depreciation rates. Not unique to Acura. I keep vehicles for 20 years though so I don't really care about depreciation.

 

[wrxdev]

So wait, you're saying that the regular MDX (not Type S) 3.5L engine is DOHC? I would be surprised if that was the case. Fine if it is, but surprising.

Base MDX is SOHC. The new Pilot is DOHC, J35YA. There is a possibility this new engine from the Pilot will make it into the 2024 MDX with maybe 5 more hp.

 

[jsfbay]

thanks. Don't know why I put X but fixed it. I actually have a spreadsheet going now.

I've been looking for two new vehicles since before COVID started! I had to put everything on hold due to the crazy car market with some vehicles going for way over Monroney. One of the two vehicles is to be a replacement for a 2001 Suburban LT (for when we had three kids that we wanted to all sit in the 2nd row.) Now we don't need something the size of the Suburban, but want as much space as possible in a 3-row unibody mid-size S/CUV. Would you be willing to share your spreadsheet? I have one too but it's from 2018 :-( and I can't use a computer for more than an hour without debilitating pain. Just curious, and I get it if you don't want to (or if there's no way to do so.)

I've heard that the Type S isn't selling all that well - can anyone out there confirm that? The MDX Type S is high on my list due to the 3.0L Turbo V6. But the 2023 Pilot, with it's much more spacious interior, is now in the running (but I hate buying the first model year, even though I've done so before without regret.)

 

[Matztrk]

MDX has old dependable SOHC engine with much better tuning then a pilot, even 9 speed pilot transmission has a bit harsher running, don't know 10 speed SH-AWD is what makes Acura Stand out over competition, much sportier feel to a driver, Pilot does feel and rides like minivan, yes 2023 from outside is less minivan like but inside has not changed much still a minivan feel

 

[jsfbay]

Base MDX is SOHC. The new Pilot is DOHC, J35YA. There is a possibility this new engine from the Pilot will make it into the 2024 MDX with maybe 5 more hp.

Thanks, I hope the base MDX gets the new V6. I assume they created a new V6 for emissions reasons (and maybe they were hoping for another 1 mpg on the EPA loop but that didn't happen.)

Is there any news on how the 3.0L Turbo is holding up? And do you know how much boost Honda is shoving into the motor? I ask for two reasons: 1) the lower the max boost, the better the engine will last, all other things consider, and 2) is there headroom for more boost to make the 3.0 more powerful?

 

[mdxstang]

The MDX Type S is high on my list due to the 3.0L Turbo V6. But the 2023 Pilot, with it's much more spacious interior, is now in the running

If you'd be happy enough with the engine in the Pilot why wouldn't you be looking at the non 'S' MDX with almost the same engine as the Pilot rather than bumping for many thousands of dollars to the 'S' for the turbo and 3.0 engine? It'd be a more apples to apples comparison in the power department.

 

[jsfbay]

If you'd be happy enough with the engine in the Pilot why wouldn't you be looking at the non 'S' MDX with almost the same engine as the Pilot rather than bumping for many thousands of dollars to the 'S' for the turbo and 3.0 engine? It'd be a more apples to apples comparison in the power department.

Just for the performance. And, if my info is correct and the Type S isn't selling well, then I could potentially buy a Type S for close to invoice, or have to pay a markup for the new '23 Pilot... The regular MDX is fine but I really like a sportier vehicle. If I'm going to sacrifice sportiness (i.e. get the regular MDX) then I'd be looking at the '23 Pilot since it has so much more interior space now.

 

[IanCH]

Mdx type s only pushing 15psi max boost stock. Tiny boost for turbo car.

I was running 27-28 in golf R for 45k miles no problems.

 

[jsfbay]

Mdx type s only pushing 15psi max boost stock. Tiny boost for turbo car.

I was running 27-28 in golf R for 45k miles no problems.

That's good to hear. The question is, is the 3.0L built to take the punishment, having forged crank, rods, pistons, and so on? Certainly Honda has plenty of experience with turbo motors so they are certainly capable of building a tough V6 built to take gobs of boost. I hope they did

 

[IanCH]

Mine runs fine at 19 psi, so far.

According to the mdx type s press kit the engine has all forged internals and hardened gearset in the trans.

Manufacturers sometimes aren't telling the specific truth in these things but people have been FBOing tlx type s without any reports of blown engines that I know of.

 

[jsfbay]

Mine runs fine at 19 psi, so far.

According to the mdx type s press kit the engine has all forged internals and hardened gearset in the trans.

Manufacturers sometimes aren't telling the specific truth in these things but people have been FBOing tlx type s without any reports of blown engines that I know of.

Okay, thanks for that info, that's great news (including that the transmission is beefed up too)!

 

[wrxdev]

That's good to hear. The question is, is the 3.0L built to take the punishment, having forged crank, rods, pistons, and so on? Certainly Honda has plenty of experience with turbo motors so they are certainly capable of building a tough V6 built to take gobs of boost. I hope they did

As Ian indicated, the turbo is running at a lower boost for longer life. I haven’t seen any documented issues in this engine in either the TLX or the MDX albeit it is out only for a year and half. Honda has a solid track record in petrol engines, so I would not hesitate to buy them. The only ones that had poor quality control were the 1.5T in Civic, Accord, and CRV with oil dilution and that has since been resolved.

 

[Hogan773]

Have you factored in the resale value at some point when you're done with the vehicle? Given that the MDX starts out at a higher price than the Pilot it usually means that 4 or 6 or 8 years down down the road when you go to sell it, it'll sell for a higher price than the Pilot. Your actual ROI cost related to this is the delta between what you bought it for new and the resale value down the road. In other words, if the MDX cost you $10K more up front but nets you $7K more down the road when you sell it then the 'premium' you paid for the MDX vs the Pilot was only $3K rather than the $10K. I totally made up the numbers but you get the drift. Another factor could be depreciation rate but I don't know how the MDX vs the Pilot are on that point but I assume there are some data points to be found on that.

Yep this is true. In my case, I seem to hold cars relatively long (like 8-12 years) and so the longer you go out, the lower the overall values falls and so the delta between an "old Pilot" and "old MDX" will also be less

 

[Hogan773]

So wait, you're saying that the regular MDX (not Type S) 3.5L engine is DOHC? I would be surprised if that was the case. Fine if it is, but surprising.

So wait, you're saying that the newer tweak version of the same V6 engine from the MDX that is now in the Pilot with 5 more HP is by definition worse than the one in the MDX?

Would not be surprised at all if the MDX gets that engine too?

 

[Hogan773]

Most luxury brands suffer the same problem of higher depreciation rates. Not unique to Acura. I keep vehicles for 20 years though so I don't really care about depreciation.

Right, and so pretty sure that after 20 years, the MDX will not be valued $15K higher than the Pilot

 

[jsfbay]

So wait, you're saying that the newer tweak version of the same V6 engine from the MDX that is now in the Pilot with 5 more HP is by definition worse than the one in the MDX?

Would not be surprised at all if the MDX gets that engine too?

Not worse, just not as "clean" emissions-wise. I assume that's why Honda went to the trouble of making this new V6 for the Pilot. Does the MDX get it? I wouldn't be surprised, but, since the Pilot sells in the hundreds of thousands and the MDX (I actually don't know but I suspect at least 50% less than Pilot if not a lot more) there is less need to put it in the MDX. Just my thoughts. I could be wrong, I frequently am.

 

[jsfbay]

Right, and so pretty sure that after 20 years, the MDX will not be valued $15K higher than the Pilot

I'm pretty sure you're quite right.

 

[spektakle]

It's not 10-15k. Comparable trim features is less than 5k difference.

Not worse, just not as "clean" emissions-wise. I assume that's why Honda went to the trouble of making this new V6 for the Pilot. Does the MDX get it? I wouldn't be surprised, but, since the Pilot sells in the hundreds of thousands and the MDX (I actually don't know but I suspect at least 50% less than Pilot if not a lot more) there is less need to put it in the MDX. Just my thoughts. I could be wrong, I frequently am.

Actually you are bang on:
2022 they sold just shy of 100k (99567) Pilots and 46425 MDX's.

I would guess the engine will move to mdx and the others at some point to maintain just one engine line.

 

[wrxdev]

It's not 10-15k. Comparable trim features is less than 5k difference.


Actually you are bang on:
2022 they sold just shy of 100k (99567) Pilots and 46425 MDX's.

I would guess the engine will move to mdx and the others at some point to maintain just one engine line.

Definitely, a very good chance that the 2024 MDX will get this new J35Y8 as the base engine with maybe 295 or 300 hp.

 

[Hogan773]

It's not 10-15k. Comparable trim features is less than 5k difference.

No, not really

I believe an Elite Pilot has everything that the Advance does and maybe a few it doesnt even have...heated wiper zone? and the Advance is $63.5 vs $52k for the Pilot so 11.5 more. Tech does have power folding mirrors but otherwise seems to look like a Touring and it is 8K more for that. Not sure what you are comparing to get to "less than 5K". If you are thinking you need to get an Elite Pilot just to get to the features of a Tech MDX then that isn't correct.