2020 Audi Q7 vs 2019 Acura MDX

The 2019 Acura MDX had long dominated the luxury midsize, 3-row crossover segment due to the lack of significant competition. Until 2018, its biggest rivals were the more expensive Audi Q7, the Infiniti QX60 with its droning drivetrain, and the pricier Volvo XC90. Even Lexus, a sales champion in the luxury SUV market, had not packed a third row into the RX until 2018, and the RX L’s cramped third row barely qualified it as a 3-row crossover. The landscape began to change with new entrants like the BMW X7, Cadillac XT6, Genesis GX80, and Lincoln Aviator. Mercedes-Benz also joined the fray with a third-row seat option for its redesigned 2020 GLE-Class.

Despite increasing competition, the 2019 MDX continued to evolve. Acura had continuously improved it since 2017, upgrading the infotainment system and introducing the Sport Hybrid version which featured a refined drivetrain without the infamous silver "beak" grille. In 2019, the MDX was further enhanced with an A-Spec Package trim level featuring sportier aesthetics, better interior materials, an adaptive damping suspension with the Advance Package, and transmission modifications to resolve unpredictable shifting issues.

The A-Spec trim, priced at $55,795, combined with the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, contributed to an aggressive look and performance. The exterior enhancements included a unique front bumper design, Shark Gray 20-inch wheels, and dark chrome and gloss black trim elements. Inside, the A-Spec featured heated and ventilated front seats upholstered in red leather and black Alcantara, a distinct A-Spec steering wheel with paddle shifters, and red instrument panel illumination.

In contrast, the 2020 Audi Q7 presented a refreshed look with design updates aligning it with the brand's flagship Q8 model. Audi offered multiple variations of the Q7, notably the 45 TFSI with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and the 55 TFSI with a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. Our focus was on the 55 TFSI version, priced from $60,800, and tested in the upscale Prestige trim with additional packages bringing the total to $74,290. The exterior changes included new wheels and lighting elements, enhancing the SUV’s sophisticated appearance. Standard 20-inch turbine-style wheels were equipped with run-flat all-season tires that added practicality.

Inside, the Q7 adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation of the Q8, eliminating most physical controls in favor of three digital displays. The cabin, decked out in Okapi Brown leather and Fine Grain Ash natural wood inlays, exuded luxury. The multi-color ambient lighting of the Prestige trim added a soothing environment, particularly noticeable during nighttime drives.

The 2019 Acura MDX came with a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, but the optional SH-AWD was highly recommended for enhanced driving dynamics. SH-AWD provided torque-vectoring capabilities, transferring up to 70% of engine power to a single rear wheel and incorporating thicker stabilizer bars for better weight distribution. An engaging alternative was the MDX Sport Hybrid, blending a 3.0-liter V6 with three electric motors to produce 321 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque, achieving superior city fuel economy.

During testing, the MDX A-Spec impressed with its brisk acceleration and enjoyable driving experience. The redesigned transmission resolved past shifting issues, and the SUV offered various driving modes: Comfort, Normal, and Sport. The SUV's steering was precise with good weight, making it a pleasure to maneuver. Despite some brake fade under heavy use, the MDX offered firm ride quality and minimal uncomfortable body movements. The test car returned 19.7 mpg, just shy of the official EPA rating.

Meanwhile, the 2020 Audi Q7 introduced a new turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine with 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, enhanced by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system for improved fuel efficiency. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive, with Audi Drive Select offering various driving modes. The SUV accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and had a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds. It achieved 18 mpg combined, surpassing expectations with 21 mpg during testing.

The Q7 55 TFSI was equipped with an adaptive air suspension for a comfortable ride, and drivers could adjust the suspension height and firmness through Audi Drive Select. The SUV handled various terrains with ease, especially in Allroad mode. Despite its size, the Q7 was agile in urban environments and maintained stability at high speeds, with the cabin remaining remarkably quiet due to dual-pane acoustic glass.

The 2019 Acura MDX’s interior was noted for its comfort and practicality. The front seats provided excellent cushioning and support, complemented by a spacious center armrest. The triple-zone climate control kept all passengers comfortable, and the second-row seat was versatile enough for both adults and children. However, the third-row seat was less accommodating, suitable only for occasional use and best left folded to maximize cargo space. With the third row folded, the MDX offered 38.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 68.4 cubic feet with both rows down. Only 15 cubic feet were available with all seats in use.

In contrast, the 2020 Audi Q7, though a seven-seater, was best utilized as a five-passenger vehicle. The third-row seat was cramped, ideal only for children. Sliding the second-row seats forward was necessary to accommodate third-row passengers, significantly reducing cargo space to 14.2 cubic feet. With the third row folded, cargo capacity expanded to 35.7 cubic feet, and folding both rows offered a maximum of 69.6 cubic feet.

The Q7’s seats were comfortable for long journeys. Despite lacking the Luxury Package’s premium leather and massaging front seats, the Prestige trim’s heated and ventilated chairs provided ample support. The second-row seats offered generous legroom, and rear-side window shades and heated cushions added to passenger comfort, aided by a panoramic sunroof.

While the Acura MDX excelled in interior storage with plenty of compartments, the Audi Q7 fell short in this area. The center console space was mostly occupied by the Audi Phone Box, leaving minimal room for other items. Second-row passengers had limited storage options, finding only netted storage and door bins.

The 2019 Acura MDX’s infotainment system, despite upgrades, still faced criticism for its dual-screen layout. The top display handled navigation and smartphone integration, operated by dashboard buttons and a knob, or through voice commands, which were often ineffective. The bottom touchscreen managed radio and climate controls, but tuning the radio was cumbersome. The screen sizes were too small for a luxury SUV, and the voice-recognition system was outdated.

Conversely, the 2020 Audi Q7 featured the new Multi-Media Interface (MMI) Touch Response with upper and lower touchscreens. The setup included natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation with Google Earth, and Audi Connect services. While generally intuitive, the touchscreens sometimes required multiple attempts to register inputs due to dry fingertips. A traditional knob for volume control and excellent voice recognition made interactions seamless. The Prestige trim featured a full-color head-up display, though incompatible with polarized sunglasses, and a quality Bose sound system that Audi planned to upgrade to Bang & Olufsen components.

Safety was a key consideration in the 2019 Acura MDX, which included the AcuraWatch suite of safety systems standard on all trims. The Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. While the MDX received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, it fell short of the Top Safety Pick+ due to headlight performance and child seat anchor accessibility. The Acura Jewel Eye LED headlights, though fantastic, did not adapt to curves. The AcuraWatch systems, while functional, were less refined compared to other luxury vehicles.

The 2020 Audi Q7 came equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), with additional features in the Executive Package or Prestige trim. Notable safety features included Emergency Assist, detecting unresponsive drivers, and Turn Assist, preventing unsafe left turns. Adaptive Cruise Assist, while effective in maintaining speed, had issues with traffic-sign recognition, often misreading signs and applying brakes unexpectedly. The Active Lane Assist system had its quirks on varying road widths, but collision protection ratings from the IIHS were excellent, hindered only by a "poor" headlight rating due to glare.