2020 Honda CR-V vs 2019 Acura MDX

The 2019 Acura MDX, a longstanding pillar in the midsize, 3-row luxury crossover market, continued to enjoy its dominant position by offering a blend of luxury and practicality. Acura had maintained a steady improvement strategy for the MDX since 2017. A significant facelift removed the unsightly silver "beak" grille, setting the stage for a newer, sleeker look. By 2019, Acura had introduced a racy new A-Spec Package which furnished the MDX with visual upgrades to enhance its sporty appeal.

The 2019 MDX A-Spec arrived with a striking aesthetic that included unique front bumper designs, Shark Gray 20-inch wheels, a mix of dark chrome, gloss black trim elements, and darkened lighting features. Fatter exhaust outlets on a redesigned rear bumper hinted at a more aggressive stance. Inside, the A-Spec trim sported heated and ventilated front seats clad in red leather and black Alcantara suede, a special steering wheel with paddle shifters, metallic pattern trim, and red instrument panel illumination.

In terms of dashboard design, Acura adhered to a dual-cowl layout, integrating controls on a waterfall-style center panel with dual infotainment screens, which contributed to a futuristic yet somewhat cluttered look. High-quality materials were evident throughout the cabin, particularly in the A-Spec's special red leather and black Alcantara seats. Overall, the MDX A-Spec managed to blend a serious, luxury-sport demeanor with practical Japanese functionality.

By 2020, the Honda CR-V, a staple in the compact crossover segment, had been on the market since the 2017 model year. Its familiar, curvy design closely resembled Honda’s sedan lineup, with front and rear fascias hinting more toward a station wagon than an SUV. This soft-lined aesthetic made the CR-V appealing for modern family transportation needs.

The interior of the 2020 CR-V, however, was a mix of high and low-quality materials. While higher trims featured wood-look trim and leather upholstery, these upscale elements often clashed with cheaper plastics. The base CR-V LX started at $26,270 and offered very little in terms of luxury. Higher trims incorporated better features and finishes, but still fell short of being considered premium. The visual appeal of the CR-V’s exterior, combined with the disparity of its interior quality, ultimately mirrored the balance between practical family use and limited luxury.

Under the hood, the 2019 Acura MDX featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. The engine was mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission that powered the front wheels as standard. Notably, the Technology Package added 20-inch aluminum wheels with 245/50 tires, while the A-Spec and Advance Package versions upgraded to 265/45 tires on 20-inch wheels.

The SH-AWD system, available for an additional $2,000 and mandatory for the A-Spec Package, offered a torque-vectoring AWD capability, sending up to 70% of power to a single rear wheel. This system also improved weight distribution and included thicker stabilizer bars, enhancing driving dynamics. The MDX Sport Hybrid model, which paired a 3.0-liter V6 with three electric motors to produce 321 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque, offered even better fuel economy and an exhilarating driving experience.

During tests, the MDX A-Spec exhibited rapid acceleration and a satisfying engine roar, while transmission updates in 2019 resolved previous erratic shifting issues. Ride quality was firm yet comfortable, with some dive, squat, and body roll, but these did not detract from the vehicle's driving fun. The MDX A-Spec achieved an average fuel economy of 19.7 mpg on test drives, slightly below its EPA-rated 21 mpg.

The 2020 Honda CR-V simplified its lineup by eliminating the previous base engine and opting solely for a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which smoothly simulated a conventional automatic, delivering a satisfying response once the CR-V gained momentum.

The CR-V’s car-like handling reflected its road manners: nimble steering, minimal body roll, and a firm yet comfortable ride. Weighing just 3,337 pounds in its FWD LX model, it stood among the lightest in its class, which contributed positively to its acceleration, handling, and fuel economy. The EPA rated the FWD models at 30 mpg combined, while AWD models achieved 29 mpg combined, making it one of the most fuel-efficient options in its segment.

The 2019 Acura MDX offered an exceptionally practical and comfortable interior. The front seats were well-cushioned and supportive, and the GPS-linked triple-zone climate control system ensured passenger comfort. While the second-row seat was spacious for both adults and children, the third-row seat was less comfortable and more suited for occasional use.

With the third-row seat folded, the MDX provided 38.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 68.4 cubic feet with the second row also folded. Cargo space shrank to just 15 cubic feet when all seats were in use, limiting its practicality for full-capacity, multi-passenger use.

The 2020 Honda CR-V showcased Honda's exceptional packaging skills, offering a spacious interior that rivaled the larger Volkswagen Tiguan without feeling overly big. The driver's seat and passenger seats had ample head- and legroom, thanks to a well-designed seating position and excellent front visibility.

The CR-V excelled in cargo management, boasting 75.8 cubic feet of total cargo space with the 60-40 split rear seats folded down. A two-position load floor allowed for flexible usage, either maximizing cargo space or creating a flat load surface. The center console's clever storage design, influenced by the Odyssey minivan, provided a deep well for securely storing items. Even the door pockets were spacious, accommodating various personal items with ease.

The 2019 Acura MDX’s dual-screen infotainment system received mixed reviews. Although updated to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the system's overall functionality was perceived as cumbersome. The upper screen managed navigation, smartphone integration, and vehicle settings, operated through center console buttons and a knob, or via a voice-recognition system, which often failed to understand commands.

The lower touchscreen handled radio and secondary climate controls, lacking tactile tuning knobs and requiring multiple steps to operate. While the design might have appeared modern, small screen sizes and low resolutions were problematic. However, Acura anticipated that future MDX models would benefit from the improved True Touchpad Interface seen in the 2019 RDX.

Even in its fourth model year, the 2020 Honda CR-V’s infotainment system lagged behind competitors. The base LX trim featured a basic 5-inch screen, while higher trims received a 7-inch touchscreen—still smaller than some rivals. The system lacked physical controls, making operations more cumbersome than desired.

Utilizing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better navigation, but their integration felt secondary. Honda included an adequate number of USB ports from the EX trim upward, and the 2020 Touring trim introduced a wireless phone charger. Despite these features, the overall infotainment experience was underwhelming.

A key selling point for the 2019 Acura MDX was its top-tier safety credentials. Featuring the AcuraWatch suite as standard, it included essential driver-assistance and collision-avoidance technologies. Upgrading to the Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, refining the model’s safety package.

The NHTSA awarded the MDX a Top Safety Pick title, despite Acceptable ratings in headlight performance and child safety seat anchor ease. The Jewel Eye LED headlights provided excellent illumination but lacked curve adaptability. AcuraWatch’s systems were functional but exhibited less refinement compared to newer luxury vehicles. Post-purchase, AcuraLink Connect offered valuable safety services but lacked teen-driving and rear-seat reminder features.

Honda marketed the "Honda Sensing" suite as standard across all CR-V trims, encompassing forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. These comprehensive features were complemented by additional safety technologies in higher trims, such as blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert.

The NHTSA granted the 2020 CR-V a five-star safety rating, while the IIHS designated it a Top Safety Pick, albeit only for the Touring trim with superior LED headlights. Lower trims equipped with halogen headlights managed only Marginal ratings for nighttime visibility. Nonetheless, the CR-V’s robust suite of safety features positioned it as a reliable option for safety-conscious buyers.