Which is the better luxury SUV, the 2023 Buick Enclave or Acura MDX? Depending on what you want out of an upscale daily drive, one of these stylish models is indeed better than the other. Our buying guide is here to help you select the compact luxury SUV that best suits you!
Key Takeaways
- For the best price on a small luxury SUV, choose the Buick Enclave!
- The Enclave comes standard with a punchier powertrain, though the MDX offers you more power with its optional engine upgrade.
- The MDX comes standard with more luxury features, though both small crossovers provide an upscale performance.
- These small luxury SUVs are home to cutting-edge tech features, including user-friendly infotainment and driver safety aids.
Best Price: 2023 Buick Enclave
If you’re looking for the best deal on a small luxury SUV, choose the 2023 Buick Enclave. This Buick starts at $44,800, saving you a healthy chunk of change over the 2023 Acura MDX, which starts at $49,550.
Standard Power: 2023 Buick Enclave
The Enclave only offers one engine, but it’s a good one. Every Enclave trim model zooms around with 310 horses and a quick-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission. And all-wheel drive is available to help you travel safely over soft surfaces, like sandy beach trails or mountain paths.
The 2023 Enclave powertrain specs include:
- 3.6L V6 (310 horsepower, 266 lb-ft)
- Nine-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive
Although the base Acura MDX isn’t quite as powerful as the Enclave, it’s pretty quick on its feet, with 290 horsepower. The top-trim Type S and Type S Advance treat you to even more power, compliments of a turbocharged V6. These small luxury SUVs also come standard with all-wheel drive, so you’re always maximizing traction, whether on an icy road or an off-road trail.
The 2023 Acura MDX powertrain options include:
- Standard 3.5L V6 (290 hp, 267 lb-ft)
- Type S: turbocharged 3.0L V6 (355 hp, 354 lb-ft)
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- Standard all-wheel drive
Rich Interior Comfort: 2023 Acura MDX
With its steeper price tag, it’s probably no surprise that the Acura MDX comes standard with more luxury features. For instance, the base MDX gives you a panoramic sunroof, tri-zone automatic climate control, and heated front seats. And moving up the MDX’s trim levels (MDX, Technology, A-Spec, Advance, Type S, and Type S Advance) will only establish a more luxurious ride, with available features that include remote ignition, front-seat ventilation, and a 16-speaker ELS premium audio system.
The 2023 Buick Enclave is also a stylish option, however. It comes standard with desirable features like leather upholstery, heated front seats, a hands-free liftgate, and tri-zone automatic climate control. And with three trim models (Essence, Premium, and Avenir), you can upgrade to an increasingly luxurious cabin. Available features include ventilated front seats, a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, and adaptive cruise control.
Safety Gear: It’s a Tie!
Although availability is slightly different between these two luxury SUVs, both deliver an impressive range of driver safety aids that work well. The Enclave comes standard with a safety alert seat that vibrates to alert you to a safety warning. It also comes with blind-spot warning and forward collision mitigation to help you maintain vigilance on a busy highway. Available upgrades include a surround-view camera system and adaptive cruise control.
On the Acura MDX, adaptive cruise control is standard to help you automatically maintain a safe cruising distance from the vehicle up ahead. Also standard are accident-averse systems like forward collision mitigation and lane keeping assist. A surround-view camera is optional for the MDX.
Your Three-Row Luxury SUV
In the end, the 2023 Acura MDX is a very stylish option. But it’s the 2023 Buick Enclave that gives you the best balance of price, power, style, and safety! Choose Buick’s small luxury SUV for the smartest deal.