2020 Acura MDX vs 2020 Ford Expedition

The 2020 Acura MDX offered a stylish, if not revolutionary, design as a crossover SUV. It wasn’t the kind of vehicle to command attention in a crowded lot, but its aesthetics were competent without shaming its driver. The MDX’s exterior featured Acura's signature Jewel Eye headlights, enhancing functionality and giving a richer look to the vehicle's front. The headlights included five LED elements per side, flanking a trapezoidal grille with a prominent Acura logo that made for an expressive face. The MDX also boasted a sleek and low-slung profile for a three-row SUV, with immaculate paint and chrome finishing.

Inside, the MDX had a modern and simplistic design devoid of excessive padding and stitching. The center stack was notable with dual infotainment screens: an 8.0-inch LED screen atop another On Demand Multi-Use Display (ODMD) touchscreen. It provided a high-tech atmosphere with an array of buttons and a prominent command wheel. The material quality and fit-and-finish gave an impression of solidity and craftsmanship, with knobs and switches operating with a sense of authority.

In comparison, the 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, had a clean and somewhat bland exterior that nonetheless aged well. Some might have found the styling boring, but it appealed to those planning to keep their SUV for several years. The Expedition King Ranch trim added upscale touches like 22-inch aluminum wheels, a mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive exterior trim. The distinctive front fender emblems and Star White metallic paint added to its appeal, though the shape of the taillights and the C-pillar design were questionable stylistic choices.

The Expedition’s interior in the King Ranch trim featured special Del Rio leather in Mesa brown over Ebony with numerous King Ranch logos. While luxurious in many respects, the presence of hard plastic, especially in lower trims like the XLT, was disappointing. Spending over $75,000 on higher trims like the King Ranch or Expedition Platinum exacerbated this issue. Upgrading to a Lincoln Navigator could resolve this.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered two powertrain options. The standard model had a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Alternatively, the MDX Sport Hybrid had a 3.0-liter V6 engine combined with three electric motors generating 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

During tests, the gasoline-only MDX with Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) demonstrated good straight-line performance and nimble handling in corners. The SH-AWD system’s torque-vectoring technology improved turn-in and handling by directing power to the outside wheel during cornering. This made the MDX accelerate confidently from a standstill around corners, without unsettling the vehicle or engaging traction control. The independent suspension effectively absorbed road bumps, making it a comfortable choice for long journeys.

On the other hand, every 2020 Ford Expedition came with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine. This robust engine delivered 375 horsepower and a substantial 470 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Expedition was available with rear-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive. The vehicle showcased impressive towing capabilities, with a standard model capable of towing 9,300 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 9,200 pounds with 4WD, while the MAX 4WD could handle 9,000 pounds.

Driving the Expedition was pleasurable, with its powerful twin-turbo engine and responsive 10-speed automatic transmission. The SUV’s adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch trim helped control ride motions, though the 22-inch wheels sometimes transmitted road imperfections. Its independent rear suspension contributed to better interior space and ride quality, setting it apart from competitors like the Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, which only began adopting this design in 2021.

The 2020 Acura MDX, as a three-row SUV, accommodated families with features reminiscent of minivans. The sliding and reclining second-row seats facilitated access to the third row and helped share legroom as needed. The MDX offered 15.8 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expandable to 43.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 90.9 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down. Additional storage included a recessed cubby and underfloor storage for concealed items. Up front, storage abounded with a large glove box, overhead sunglass pocket, and a flexible center console with multiple power outlets and enough depth for various personal items.

Comparatively, the 2020 Ford Expedition excelled as a people and cargo hauler. Its power running boards facilitated entry, especially in the King Ranch trim. All seating positions were comfortable, with the front seats offering heating and ventilation, and the steering wheel providing additional warmth. Storage in the Expedition was abundant, with features like a dual glove compartment and a large bin under the center armrest.

The King Ranch’s second-row captain’s chairs were heated, and access to the third-row bench was easy via a wide pass-through or via tilting and sliding the seats. The Expedition’s third-row seat stood out for its comfort and spaciousness, making it suitable for long trips, unlike most third rows. It further featured significant cargo space, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row in standard models and an impressive 57.5 cubic feet with the seats down (73.3 cubic feet in the MAX). Folding all rows provided 104.6 cubic feet (121.5 cubic feet in the MAX).

The 2020 Acura MDX focused on comprehensive packages rather than standalone options. The base model was well-equipped with Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SMS/MMS text and email capability, an eight-speaker audio system, and multiple USB ports and satellite radio. Adding the Technology Package introduced features like rain-sensing wipers, LED puddle lights, navigation with real-time traffic, GPS-linked climate control, remote start, and a premium audio system. The Advance Package further included an active damper system, heated and ventilated seats, a surround-view camera, and third-row USB ports. The Entertainment Package offered rear-seat entertainment, with the Advance Package version having a larger screen and more speakers.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford Expedition, while equipped with the user-friendly Sync 3 infotainment system, suffered from an outdated 8-inch touchscreen, lacking compared to newer offerings like the 12-inch Sync 4 in the 2021 F-150. Sync 3, however, was still functional with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, FordPass Connect with WiFi hotspot, and available premium sound from Bang & Olufsen. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, as was Pro Trailer Backup Assist, useful for towing.

Safety was a strong suit for the 2020 Acura MDX with its comprehensive AcuraWatch suite. This included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Technology and Advance Packages added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Head-Up Warning. The MDX featured multiple airbags, stability and traction control, and sophisticated body engineering to absorb impacts. The IIHS rated it highly for crash tests, and it earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2020 Ford Expedition's ample size contributed to its crash safety, though drivers were urged to drive responsibly. Standard Ford Co-Pilot360 included adaptive cruise control, collision warning and emergency braking, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings, and lane-keeping assistance. These systems functioned smoothly to enhance driver confidence without causing annoyance. The Expedition earned five-star safety ratings from the NHTSA overall, with a four-star rollover resistance rating, though it had not been tested by IIHS at the time of the review.