2020 Acura MDX vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Acura MDX was distinctively designed as a well-balanced crossover SUV. Its exterior didn't tend to grab much attention with groundbreaking or breathtaking styling, but it still maintained an appearance that was both respectable and elegant. The MDX was constructed to blend in rather than stand out, making it a suitable choice for those who preferred a subtle yet stylish vehicle without causing a stir in places like parking lots or country clubs.

Acura had a noteworthy feature in its early adoption of LED headlights, notably the Jewel Eye headlights which were visually spectacular and functional. Each side of the front comprised five LED elements horizontally arranged alongside turn signals and running lamps. These headlights formed a significant part of its expressive face, anchored by a trapezoidal grille bearing the prominent Acura logo.

Despite being a three-row SUV, the MDX had a sleek and low-slung profile, embellished with chiseled details and a fast roofline. It was impeccable in its paint and chrome quality, a traditional strong suit for Acura. Inside, the MDX featured a modern, minimalist design void of the excessive padding and stitching common in contemporary luxury interiors. The centerpiece was its twin infotainment screens—a high-mounted 8.0-inch LED for navigation complemented by an On Demand Multi-Use Display (ODMD) touchscreen, coupled with a three-row button setup and a significant command wheel. The high-quality materials and superior fit and finish further added to the MDX’s solid and well-constructed feel, with knobs and switches offering a tactile and rewarding response.

Meanwhile, the 2020 Honda CR-V’s design had been familiar by 2020 after its introduction in the 2017 model year. Sporting a curvy, car-like design akin to Honda’s sedans, the CR-V leaned more towards an aesthetic of a modern family station wagon. Its exterior lines emphasized an ease and soft approach, becoming the model standard for family transportation.

However, the inside of the CR-V told a different story. The interior was a blend of multiple textures and materials, ranging from higher-quality wood-look trim and leather upholstery in pricier models, to lower-quality plastics present in the base models. This contrast underscored the CR-V’s nature as a commodity car rather than a premium upgrade. The base FWD LX trim level started with an MSRP of $26,270 and standard features, while higher trims like EX and EX-L added enhanced features and improved interiors. Each trim came with Honda’s comprehensive three-year or 36,000-mile warranty and allowed for a $1,500 AWD option.

Visually, CR-V had standard 17-inch wheels, with 18-inch wheels for the EX, and 19-inchers for the Touring trim. The higher trims also boasted leather seats and a retractable moonroof, although not the panoramic-style sunroof found in some competitors. With roof rails only on the Touring model and even then being low-profile, the CR-V maintained its car-like look across various trims.

The 2020 Acura MDX came furnished with two powertrain choices. The first was a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in both FWD and AWD configurations. The second option was the MDX Sport Hybrid, which combined a 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine and three electric motors to achieve a combined system power of 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) and all-wheel drive.

During testing, the gasoline-only model equipped with Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system showcased impressive performance with quick acceleration. Paddle shifters allowed sequential shifting, though the transmission's automatic mode was so adept it rarely needed manual interference. The SH-AWD system integrated torque-vectoring technology, directing power to the outside wheel during cornering maneuvers, thereby improving handling and making the MDX remarkably agile for its size. The system's capability was notably evident in scenarios requiring sharp turns and acceleration, seamlessly distributing power without disrupting the vehicle's stability.

The MDX also featured a four-wheel independent suspension system that adeptly absorbed road bumps, ensuring a comfortable ride, whether navigating city streets or embarking on long drives.

Conversely, the 2020 Honda CR-V had simplified its powertrain offerings by replacing the previous 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a CVT. Despite common issues with CVTs—such as sluggish responses—Honda’s implementation was considered effective, allowing for quick acceleration, especially in Sport drive mode. The CVT mimicked the behavior of a conventional automatic transmission well enough that most drivers wouldn’t notice the difference.

The CR-V’s road manners were praiseworthy, resembling a small sedan in terms of steering feel and nimble handling. Despite not being exceptionally sporty, the CR-V offered a firm yet comfortable ride with minimal body roll, aided by the relatively low curb weight of around 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model.

Further bolstering the CR-V’s positive driving dynamics was its commendable fuel economy. FWD models were EPA-rated at 30 miles per gallon combined, while AWD models achieved 29 mpg, which was competitive within its class. Additionally, Honda introduced a hybrid version of the CR-V in 2020 to cater to those seeking even better fuel efficiency.

The 2020 Acura MDX catered to families, offering a highly functional interior that could compete with traditional minivans, but with a more stylish SUV presentation. Its second-row seats were both sliding and reclining, enhancing access to the third row and allowing for the legroom balance between rows. Headroom was sufficient in all three rows.

In terms of cargo capacity, the MDX accommodated 15.8 cubic feet of luggage behind the third row. When the third row was folded flat in a 50/50 split, cargo space expanded to 43.4 cubic feet. The second row folded flat in a 60/40 split, creating a maximal cargo space of 90.9 cubic feet, featuring a reasonably flat load floor to the front seats. Extra storage spaces included a recessed cubby hole and an underfloor compartment for concealing items like a briefcase or camera bag.

The MDX also featured considerable upfront storage solutions, including a spacious glove box, an overhead sunglass pocket, a flexible center console with cupholders, USB ports, power jacks, and room for various personal items. Door panels provided additional bottle pockets and open storage, while second-row passengers had cupholders and front-seat back pouches. Tri-zone climate control was standard, ensuring separate climate settings for the driver, front passenger, and rear cabin areas.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled with Honda’s renowned interior packaging. Matching the Volkswagen Tiguan’s volume, the CR-V offered extensive headroom and legroom both in the front and rear without feeling overly large. The excellent seating position contributed to the overall spacious and comfortable environment while also enhancing visibility.

Honda’s efficient use of space extended to clever storage solutions; the center console offered a deep well with a sliding cover for securing loose items. The gearshift’s placement on the dashboard allowed for this spacious setup. The rear cargo area featured a two-position load floor that provided 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded flat, and extra space above the spare tire compartment for storing dirty or wet items away from the carpeting.

Door pockets were also ample, with compartments extending behind the lower door panel for extra capacity. Overall, the CR-V’s versatile interior design made it user-friendly and efficient for everyday use.

For the 2020 MDX, Acura simplified the technology offerings through various packages. The base model was adequately equipped with tech features, including Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SMS/MMS text and email capabilities, a CD/MP3/WMA-compatible CD player, five USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an eight-speaker audio system.

Advanced tech features were bundled into the Technology Package ($5,000), which included rain-sensing windshield wipers, LED puddle lights, front and rear parking sensors, sophisticated navigation with Acura Real-Time Traffic and Traffic Rerouting, GPS-linked climate control, remote engine start, and a premium 10-speaker audio system from Acura/ELS Studio. For an additional $6,750, the Advance Package added even more, such as active suspension dampers, LED fog lights, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, and a surround-view camera system.

Further, for an additional $2,000, entertainment packages for both Technology and Advance Packages provided a DVD rear entertainment system with a 110-volt power outlet and wireless headphones. The Advance package upgraded to a 16.2-inch Ultra-Wide Full VGA screen with HDMI compatibility and extra speakers, while the Technology Package included a 9.0-inch Full VGA screen with one additional speaker.

The 2020 Honda CR-V’s infotainment system, however, showed signs of aging. The base LX trim housed a modest 5-inch screen with limited features, primarily Bluetooth and Pandora compatibility. An upgrade to higher trims only provided a small 7-inch touchscreen, which paled in comparison to newer, larger screens in competitors like the VW Tiguan.

The CR-V’s infotainment system had been criticized for its lack of hard buttons, save for a single power/volume knob, making navigation through the system cumbersome. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available from EX trims upward, provided better usability than Honda’s in-house navigation system, which was limited to the Touring trim.

Though lacking in modern touchscreen complexity, the CR-V did offer abundant USB ports in higher trims, with two located in the front and two high-powered ports in the backseat. The Touring trim also boasted a wireless phone charger.

The 2020 Acura MDX came with AcuraWatch standard, a comprehensive suite of passive and active safety features as well as advanced driver assistance systems. These included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package added blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring, while the Advance Package provided a Head-Up Warning system. Safety enhancements also comprised a rearview camera with dynamic guidelines (upgraded to surround-view in the Advance Package), multiple airbags, stability control, motion-adaptive steering, and Trailer Stability Assist for AWD models.

Acura's Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) Body Structure aimed to absorb and disperse crash energy, enhancing occupant protection. The MDX earned a “good” rating from IIHS in all crash-test categories, “acceptable” for headlights, “superior” for front crash prevention, and “acceptable” for LATCH ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the MDX a five-star overall safety rating.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was similarly equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced safety features included across all trims. This included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, road-departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. Higher trims added blind-spot and cross-traffic monitoring. Standard safety equipment also included stability control, LATCH anchors, and airbags.

The CR-V achieved a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with high marks in frontal, side, and rollover tests. The IIHS granted the CR-V a Top Safety Pick designation for Touring trims with LED headlights; however, lower trims with halogen headlights were rated only Marginal.