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The 2026 Acura MDX Type S includes SH-AWD with rear torque vectoring, adaptive air suspension, third-row seating, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist as standard. On the GLE 450 4MATIC, every one of those is an additional-cost item.
The GLE is one of the most recognizable luxury SUVs on the road and Mercedes builds it beautifully. It is also a vehicle where the advertised price and the price of the car you actually want are two very different numbers.
The MDX Type S takes the opposite approach: one well-equipped trim walk, with the expensive hardware already fitted.
| Specification | 2026 Acura MDX Type S | 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4MATIC |
|---|---|---|
| All-wheel drive | Standard SH-AWD with rear torque vectoring | Standard 4MATIC without rear torque vectoring |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 9-speed automatic |
| Standard wheels | 21-inch | 20-inch |
| Adaptive air suspension | Standard | Additional cost |
| Third-row seating | Standard | Additional cost |
| Ventilated front seats | Standard | Additional cost |
| Heated steering wheel | Standard | Additional cost |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | Standard | Additional cost |
| Lane Keeping Assist | Standard | Additional cost |
| Premium audio | 31 speakers | 13-speaker Burmester, in a package |
| Powertrain limited warranty | 6 years / 70,000 miles | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Base configurations of the named trims as published by each manufacturer.
SH-AWD is standard on the MDX Type S and its rear torque vectoring overdrives the outside rear wheel through a corner, actively helping the vehicle rotate. 4MATIC is standard on the GLE 450 and is a capable system, but it does not offer rear-wheel torque vectoring.
Adaptive air suspension with auto-leveling is standard on the Type S. On the GLE 450 both the adaptive dampers and the air adjustability are additional-cost items. Standard wheels are 21-inch on the Acura against 20-inch on the Mercedes, and the Type S runs a 10-speed against the GLE’s 9-speed.
| Specification | MDX Type S | GLE 450 |
|---|---|---|
| Rear torque vectoring | Standard | Not available |
| Adaptive air suspension | Standard | Additional cost |
| Standard wheels | 21-inch | 20-inch |
| Transmission | 10-speed | 9-speed |
Third-row seating is standard on the MDX Type S. On the GLE 450 it is an additional cost, and the Type S third row is reached with a one-touch Smart Slide mechanism where the Mercedes uses a mechanical fold.
Ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel are standard on the Type S and extra on the GLE. The Type S second-row middle seat also folds into an armrest and lifts out to make captain’s chairs, which the GLE does not offer.
| Specification | MDX Type S | GLE 450 |
|---|---|---|
| Third-row seating | Standard | Additional cost |
| Third-row access | One-touch Smart Slide | Mechanical operation |
| Ventilated front seats | Standard | Additional cost |
| Heated steering wheel | Standard | Additional cost |
| Removable second-row middle seat | Standard | Not available |
Adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist are standard on the MDX Type S. On the GLE 450 both sit inside the additional-cost Driver Assistance Package.
The Bang & Olufsen system in the Type S Advance uses 31 speakers. The GLE 450’s Burmester system runs 13 speakers and is itself part of an expensive package.
| Specification | MDX Type S | GLE 450 |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control | Standard | Additional cost |
| Lane Keeping Assist | Standard | Additional cost |
| Premium audio | 31 speakers | 13 speakers, in a package |
Mercedes interior craftsmanship and the MBUX system are genuinely class-leading, and the GLE cabin has a sense of occasion the Acura does not try to match.
The GLE range extends far above the 450 — to the AMG 53 and 63 — and offers a plug-in hybrid. If you want more performance or electric range than the Type S delivers, Mercedes has an answer and Acura does not.
Mercedes resale on the GLE is historically strong, and the brand’s dealer network and loaner programs in the Sacramento region are well established.
On content per dollar the MDX Type S wins this comfortably. Air suspension, the third row, ventilated seats, a heated wheel, adaptive cruise and lane keeping assist are all standard on the Acura and all cost extra on the Mercedes.
The GLE 450 wins on interior craft, brand prestige and the breadth of the range above it.
Configure a GLE 450 to match a Type S on equipment before you compare prices. That is the number that matters.
No. Third-row seating is an additional-cost option on the GLE 450 4MATIC. It is standard on the Acura MDX Type S, which also adds a one-touch Smart Slide access mechanism.
No. Adaptive dampers and air adjustability are both additional-cost items on the GLE 450. Adaptive Air Suspension with auto-leveling is standard on the MDX Type S.
4MATIC distributes torque between the front and rear axles but does not offer rear-wheel torque vectoring. Acura’s standard SH-AWD on the Type S overdrives the outside rear wheel through a corner to help turn the vehicle.
No. Adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist are both part of the additional-cost Driver Assistance Package on the GLE 450. Both are standard on the MDX Type S.
The MDX Type S Advance uses a 31-speaker Bang & Olufsen system. The GLE 450 offers a 13-speaker Burmester system as part of an additional-cost package.
Elk Grove Acura, 8585 Laguna Grove Dr, Elk Grove, CA 95757. Call 833-857-1325.
Elk Grove Acura, 8585 Laguna Grove Dr, Elk Grove, CA 95757. Sales 833-857-1325. Sales hours Monday–Saturday 9 AM–8 PM, Sunday 10 AM–7 PM.
Specifications, features and pricing are as published by each manufacturer at the time of writing and are subject to change. Competitive figures are drawn from manufacturer-published product information. Starting MSRP excludes tax, title, license, destination and handling, registration and documentary fees, and dealer-installed accessories. Dealers set actual selling prices. Feature availability varies by trim and may change during the model year — confirm equipment on the window sticker of the specific vehicle you are considering. Driver-assistance systems are aids only and do not replace safe driving; see the Owner’s Manual for limitations.