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The 2026 Acura MDX weighs 4,544 pounds against the GV80’s 5,054, uses a 3.5-liter V-6 against the Genesis base 2.5-liter four, and pairs it to a 10-speed rather than an 8-speed. Third-row seating, the panoramic moonroof and heated front seats are standard on the MDX and cost extra on the GV80.
The GV80 is the vehicle that made a lot of people take Genesis seriously, and deservedly so. It looks expensive, the cabin is well finished, and the brand’s warranty is aggressive.
What the spec sheet shows is that the MDX is the lighter, more mechanically sophisticated vehicle, and that several things the GV80 charges for are already fitted to the Acura.
| Specification | 2026 Acura MDX | 2026 Genesis GV80 |
|---|---|---|
| Curb weight | 4,544 lb | 5,054 lb |
| Engine | 3.5-liter V-6 | 2.5-liter inline four |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Front suspension | Double-wishbone | Multi-link |
| Third-row seating | Standard | Additional cost |
| Power panoramic moonroof | Standard | Additional cost |
| Heated front seats | Standard | Additional cost |
| Road Departure Mitigation | Standard | Not available |
| AWD torque vectoring | Available with SH-AWD | Not offered |
Curb weights are manufacturer-published figures for comparable base configurations. Equipment varies by trim.
Half a ton is a lot of difference between two vehicles this similar in size. At 4,544 pounds the MDX is 510 pounds lighter than the 5,054-pound GV80, and every part of the driving experience is downstream of that — braking distances, how quickly it changes direction, how hard the engine has to work.
The MDX also uses a double-wishbone front suspension where the GV80 uses a multi-link. Combined with the weight difference, the MDX feels noticeably more alert on a road like Grant Line or the run out toward Jackson.
| Specification | MDX | GV80 |
|---|---|---|
| Curb weight | 4,544 lb | 5,054 lb |
| Front suspension | Double-wishbone | Multi-link |
A 3.5-liter V-6 with a 10-speed automatic against a 2.5-liter turbocharged four with an 8-speed. The MDX has two more ratios and two more cylinders in the base configuration.
Genesis has also moved all-wheel drive off the base GV80 trim, so entry-level buyers no longer get it. Acura offers SH-AWD across the MDX range, and its torque vectoring — overdriving the outside rear wheel through a corner — is a capability the GV80’s all-wheel-drive system does not provide.
| Specification | MDX | GV80 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5-liter V-6 | 2.5-liter inline four |
| Transmission | 10-speed | 8-speed |
| AWD availability | SH-AWD available on all trims | No longer available on base trim |
| Torque vectoring | Yes | No |
Third-row seating is standard on the MDX and an extra-cost item on the GV80. So is the power panoramic moonroof. So are heated front seats. Individually those are line items; together they are a meaningful chunk of the price gap once you configure the Genesis to match.
The MDX also has one-touch third-row access — press an illuminated button, the second row slides, you step in — where the GV80 does not. And the MDX second-row middle seat folds into an armrest and lifts out entirely to make captain’s chairs; the GV80 does not offer a configurable second row.
| Specification | MDX | GV80 |
|---|---|---|
| Third-row seating | Standard | Additional cost |
| One-touch third-row access | Standard | Not offered |
| Panoramic moonroof | Standard | Additional cost |
| Heated front seats | Standard | Additional cost |
| Removable second-row middle seat | Standard | Not available |
The Genesis warranty is the headline advantage and it is a real one. Genesis has consistently offered longer basic and powertrain coverage than most of the segment, and it includes a period of complimentary scheduled maintenance. Get both dealers to put current terms in writing and compare them line by line.
GV80 interior design and material quality punch above its price. If you judge a vehicle primarily by how the cabin looks and feels when you close the door, the Genesis makes a strong first impression.
Genesis offers a twin-turbo V-6 above the base four, and the GV80 Coupe adds a more aggressive body style. If outright output is the priority, compare those trims rather than the base car.
Buy the MDX if you want the lighter, more agile vehicle with the more sophisticated suspension, all-wheel drive available across the range, and the third row and moonroof included rather than optioned.
Buy the GV80 if the warranty term is the deciding factor and you prefer its interior. That is a defensible choice and we will not pretend otherwise.
Drive them back to back if you can. The weight difference is the thing that does not show up in photographs.
Yes. The MDX has a published curb weight of 4,544 pounds against 5,054 pounds for the GV80 — a difference of 510 pounds, which affects braking, cornering and acceleration.
No, not as standard. Third-row seating is an extra-cost option on the GV80. It is standard on every 2026 Acura MDX, along with one-touch access that the GV80 does not offer.
All-wheel drive is no longer available on the base GV80 trim. Acura offers Super Handling All-Wheel Drive across the MDX range, and it adds torque vectoring that the GV80 system does not provide.
Genesis generally offers longer basic and powertrain coverage than Acura and includes a period of complimentary scheduled maintenance. Acura covers the MDX powertrain for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Ask each dealer to confirm current terms in writing, as these programs change.
Third-row seating, the power panoramic moonroof and heated front seats are all standard on the MDX and extra-cost items on the GV80. Road Departure Mitigation is standard on the MDX and not offered on the GV80.
Elk Grove Acura, 8585 Laguna Grove Dr, Elk Grove, CA 95757. Call 833-857-1325. We serve Sacramento, Elk Grove, Galt, Lodi, Davis and West Sacramento.
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.