Telly SXP or MDX A spec 2020?

[Tellusride]

Hi, Everyone

I have being comparing these two three rows SUV for a while and Still confusing which one that I would choose. Just wondering if they are at the same price level, what you guys will chose?

 

[jw_tx21]

Hi, Everyone

I have being comparing these two three rows SUV for a while and Still confusing which one that I would choose. Just wondering if they are at the same price level, what you guys will chose?

But, they aren't at the same price level. If you were to negotiate way down on the MDX below SXP, you might choose that - it's arguably more comfortable for taller drivers (more open front cabin - no grab handles hitting knees nor high console like in Palisade).

I didn't choose it for 4 reasons:

(1) Third Row seat is small
(2) No Captains Chairs - have to go up to Advanced - sticker at 60k - good luck getting it at SXP price
(3) Transmission shifts awkwardly
(4) Infotainment system is ridiculous, out dated and I dislike the two screens. Even the one screen in RDX is hampered by the touchpad. Kia's touchscreen is MUCH easier to use and more thoughtfully designed.

Why buy the A Spec over SXP? Well, it does look neat, but you'll pay for that look. Also, the SX-P is AWD, which you'd want to compare with A Spec with SH-AWD.

You can't go wrong with either vehicle - I bet you could get 9-10k off A Spec sticker by end of year.

 

[JCzoom]

I personally would go for the Acura if they cost the same, but the A spec is at least 10 k more. Not worth it. And your not gonna get 10k off the sticker, ever. The Telly is a great value at its msrp. Not some crazy markup price.

 

[jdaake07]

If you’re going to lease, you can get the lower end MDXs in the $400s from what I’ve seen on LeaseHacker. I tried leasing an Advanced in the summer and the lowest they’d go was $625 before taxes. That is in line with the SXP.

Personally, I feel the MDX’s Technology is dated as is the design as a whole. It’s getting entirely redesigned for next year so there are plenty of deals to be had. My wife and I both wish the Telluride had the MDX Advanced’s second row captains chairs and console. They’re way better for older kids or adults.

Anyone leasing should consider the XC90, MDX, and the Telluride. Their payments will all be in the same ballpark with the latter’s MSRP being $15-25K lower. The are other items like dealership experience that may impact your decision as well. My experience with my Genesis G80 was way worse than when I had a Mercedes GLK.

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[SorentoSXL]

A friend has a '19 MDX. If you plan to use the 3rd with any regularity, the Kia is the only way to go. On top of that, if you do need the 3rd row, even with smaller kids who would fit in the Acura, the cargo space behind it is tiny, similar in size to the CX-9 it seems.

As mentioned, the infotainment system is a previous era design unlike the new easier to use Honda systems. It has no pano roof which is a must have at this price point if you ask me and no 3rd row HVAC vents.

The pros for the MDX are exterior styling and good performance. Outside of that, I think it's outdated. Unless you can get an absolute steal of a price, I don't think you go with Acura. Traffic is so bad in so many places that putting emphasis on high performance family vehicles doesn't make too much sense to me. That's the MDX's main selling feature.

 

[Tellusride]

But, they aren't at the same price level. If you were to negotiate way down on the MDX below SXP, you might choose that - it's arguably more comfortable for taller drivers (more open front cabin - no grab handles hitting knees nor high console like in Palisade).

I didn't choose it for 4 reasons:

(1) Third Row seat is small
(2) No Captains Chairs - have to go up to Advanced - sticker at 60k - good luck getting it at SXP price
(3) Transmission shifts awkwardly
(4) Infotainment system is ridiculous, out dated and I dislike the two screens. Even the one screen in RDX is hampered by the touchpad. Kia's touchscreen is MUCH easier to use and more thoughtfully designed.

Why buy the A Spec over SXP? Well, it does look neat, but you'll pay for that look. Also, the SX-P is AWD, which you'd want to compare with A Spec with SH-AWD.

You can't go wrong with either vehicle - I bet you could get 9-10k off A Spec sticker by end of year.

Thank you for sharing. I quoted the price online yesterday and the best I got so far is 48k for a 2020 A spec SH-AWD. Looks like Acura dealers are willing to negotiate the price unlike Telluride SXP since MDX is going to be redesigned in 2021.

 

[Tellusride]

I personally would go for the Acura if they cost the same, but the A spec is at least 10 k more. Not worth it. And your not gonna get 10k off the sticker, ever. The Telly is a great value at its msrp. Not some crazy markup price.

MDX is gong to be resigned in 2021, I have got a price quote for 48K. I just check turecar.com and the average price is around 47K for 2020 A SPEC SH-AWD. I love their red and black leather seat.

 

[Tellusride]

If you’re going to lease, you can get the lower end MDXs in the $400s from what I’ve seen on LeaseHacker. I tried leasing an Advanced in the summer and the lowest they’d go was $625 before taxes. That is in line with the SXP.

Personally, I feel the MDX’s Technology is dated as is the design as a whole. It’s getting entirely redesigned for next year so there are plenty of deals to be had. My wife and I both wish the Telluride had the MDX Advanced’s second row captains chairs and console. They’re way better for older kids or adults.

Anyone leasing should consider the XC90, MDX, and the Telluride. Their payments will all be in the same ballpark with the latter’s MSRP being $15-25K lower. The are other items like dealership experience that may impact your decision as well. My experience with my Genesis G80 was way worse than when I had a Mercedes GLK.

Thank you for sharing. I plan to finance, but I haven't decide which one. I have test drive Telly and plan to test drive MDX this weekend. KIA Dealers markup and waiting list is killing me.

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[Tellusride]

A friend has a '19 MDX. If you plan to use the 3rd with any regularity, the Kia is the only way to go. On top of that, if you do need the 3rd row, even with smaller kids who would fit in the Acura, the cargo space behind it is tiny, similar in size to the CX-9 it seems.

As mentioned, the infotainment system is a previous era design unlike the new easier to use Honda systems. It has no pano roof which is a must have at this price point if you ask me and no 3rd row HVAC vents.

The pros for the MDX are exterior styling and good performance. Outside of that, I think it's outdated. Unless you can get an absolute steal of a price, I don't think you go with Acura. Traffic is so bad in so many places that putting emphasis on high performance family vehicles doesn't make too much sense to me. That's the MDX's main selling feature.

Thank you for sharing. I will definitely check third row and cargo space when test drive the MDX. Telly's thrid row is very impress me.

 

[SorentoSXL]

Thank you for sharing. I plan to finance, but I haven't decide which one. I have test drive Telly and plan to test drive MDX this weekend. KIA Dealers markup and waiting list is killing me.

The mark-ups are pretty disgusting. I don't think the Telluride makes sense marked-up. It's not like you can get any value back out of it.

 

[jdaake07]

Thank you for sharing. I plan to finance, but I haven't decide which one. I have test drive Telly and plan to test drive MDX this weekend. KIA Dealers markup and waiting list is killing me.

I’d look at LeaseHacker to see what kind of negotiated sales prices people are getting. In July and August people were leasing and then buying out a month later due to the increased incentives with leasing.

 

[AustereSpoon]

The mark-ups are pretty disgusting. I don't think the Telluride makes sense marked-up. It's not like you can get any value back out of it.

I mean the markup has nothing to do with value, its about supply vs demand. They cant make them fast enough so dealers know they can bump the price (especially on the higher packages, I saw a SXpp getting a 58k sticker price slapped on it in Chicagoland within the last month) and someone will likely still buy it because demand is high.

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[mberns1]

We also considered the MDX and it is a very nice vehicle. I would certainly wait till 2021 for redesign because the infotainment system alone in the MDX is a good reason not to buy, its awful in my opinion. The shifting issue per reviews was supposedly fixed for 2019 model. Their awd system is very good but from what I have read/seen, the Telluride system works in about the same way. The Telluride is much roomier too. And Kia's safety/advanced driving systems I think are superior to Honda's/Acuras. If you dont mind buying an MDX that was a loaner, we found several 2019's Advanced models with 2-3k miles in the $47-48k range. And they were certified which means u get the good certified warranty.

 

[SorentoSXL]

I mean the markup has nothing to do with value, its about supply vs demand. They cant make them fast enough so dealers know they can bump the price (especially on the higher packages, I saw a SXpp getting a 58k sticker price slapped on it in Chicagoland within the last month) and someone will likely still buy it because demand is high.

It has everything to do with value. If you pay $5-10k more than the vehicle is "worth" when new, that puts you further into a hole residually. You are paying more interest and tax for nothing. It just puts your loan to value in an upside down position.

 

[AustereSpoon]

It has everything to do with value. If you pay $5-10k more than the vehicle is "worth" when new, that puts you further into a hole residually. You are paying more interest and tax for nothing. It just puts your loan to value in an upside down position.

Yes of course, sorry the one I quoted and replied to was stating that the person was not sure why things were being marked up and people were buying them because you are not getting any more value back out of them. You are technically correct in that not only are you not getting more value, you are actually losing value as you said tax cost, depreciation etc. But its definitely not a value add. You are spot on as well.

 

[Tellmeride]

We have a lot of people with more diposable $$$ than brains... hence why they get sold even with the $5k+ markup.

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[jw_tx21]

We also considered the MDX and it is a very nice vehicle. I would certainly wait till 2021 for redesign because the infotainment system alone in the MDX is a good reason not to buy, its awful in my opinion. The shifting issue per reviews was supposedly fixed for 2019 model. Their awd system is very good but from what I have read/seen, the Telluride system works in about the same way. The Telluride is much roomier too. And Kia's safety/advanced driving systems I think are superior to Honda's/Acuras. If you dont mind buying an MDX that was a loaner, we found several 2019's Advanced models with 2-3k miles in the $47-48k range. And they were certified which means u get the good certified warranty.

Good post - I'm just worried they'd bring that awful touchpad from RDX to the MDX... why can't Acura just do a full touchscreen like Hyundai / Kia and remove the touchpad? Even a rotary dial is better...