2021 Audi Q3 vs 2020 Acura MDX

The 2020 Acura MDX was a well-designed crossover SUV, though its styling was not particularly groundbreaking or attention-grabbing. It blended seamlessly into its surroundings, offering a sense of understated elegance without drawing undue attention. The MDX featured Acura's signature Jewel Eye LED headlights, which added a touch of sophistication to its front end. These headlights, with their five LED elements per side, flanked a trapezoidal grille that bore the prominent Acura logo, creating an expressive and polished appearance. The MDX's sleek and low-slung profile, combined with its chiseled details and flawless paint and chrome, contributed to its overall refined look. Inside, the MDX boasted a modern and simple interior design, with a center stack highlighted by twin infotainment screens and a high-quality fit and finish that exuded a sense of solidity and craftsmanship.

In contrast, the 2021 Audi Q3 embraced a more postmodern automotive styling approach, with its massive Audi corporate grille complementing the stout and chunky design. This design conveyed a sense of utility and dynamic handling, even if it primarily delivered on the latter. The Q3's cabin echoed this mechanical and modern aesthetic, with a dash design that prominently framed the center touchscreen. While the Q3's interior design was initially a standout when it debuted in 2019, it faced competition from Volkswagen's newer interiors. Nevertheless, the Q3's cabin retained a modern and refined feel, even if it no longer felt as unique. The Q3 offered two trims, Premium and Premium Plus, with a range of standard and optional features, including leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and advanced driver assistance features, making it a well-equipped and comfortable choice for drivers.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered two powertrain options, starting with a naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine that produced 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. Alternatively, the MDX Sport Hybrid featured a 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine combined with three electric motors, delivering a total system power of 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque. This hybrid model came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The MDX demonstrated impressive straight-line performance, with its Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system enhancing its nimbleness in corners and curves. The SH-AWD system's torque-vectoring technology directed power to the outside wheel during cornering, improving handling and providing a smooth and confident driving experience. The MDX's four-wheel independent suspension further contributed to its comfortable ride, making it a reliable companion for long journeys.

The 2021 Audi Q3 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The S-Line trim offered a more potent version of the same engine, delivering 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine option was previously standard but became an optional upgrade, with a $2,000 price reduction in the base MSRP. The more powerful engine provided lively performance and solid power for passing, especially in Sport mode, which enhanced throttle response and transmission mapping. The Q3 also featured Audi's Drive Select, offering various drive modes, including Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, and Off-Road. While the base engine exhibited some turbo lag, the Q3's handling was nimble and engaging, providing a comfortable and refined ride that balanced performance and comfort effectively.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered a spacious and versatile interior, making it a practical choice for families. With sliding and reclining second-row seats, accessing the third row was convenient, and the legroom could be adjusted to suit passengers' needs. The MDX provided 15.8 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, which could be expanded to 43.4 cubic feet by folding the third row flat. Folding the second row created a generous 90.9-cubic-foot cargo hold with a flat load floor. Additional storage options included a recessed cubby hole, underfloor storage, and various compartments throughout the cabin. The MDX featured tri-zone climate control, ensuring comfort for all passengers, and offered a range of storage solutions, including cupholders, door pockets, and a flexible center console.

The 2021 Audi Q3, while offering less cargo space compared to the MDX, provided 23.7 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 48 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Despite its subpar cargo capacity for the class, the Q3 excelled in passenger space, offering comfortable front seats with ample storage pockets and impressive headroom and legroom in the rear seats. The Q3 could accommodate five passengers, but four passengers could enjoy a road trip in comfort, provided they packed light.

The 2020 Acura MDX featured a simplified trim structure with packages that included a range of technology features. The base MDX came equipped with standard tech features such as Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and an eight-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added advanced features like rain-sensing windshield wipers, navigation, and a premium audio system. The Advance Package further enhanced the MDX with features like a surround-view camera system, heated and ventilated front seats, and additional USB ports. The Entertainment Package offered a rear entertainment system with a large screen and wireless headphones, making the MDX a tech-savvy choice for families.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Audi's MMI system, which included Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. An upgraded 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation was available, along with features like wireless device charging and a premium audio system. The Audi Virtual Cockpit replaced the traditional instrument cluster with a customizable digital display, offering a modern and high-tech driving experience.

The 2020 Acura MDX was equipped with AcuraWatch, a suite of safety features that included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Advance Package included a Head-Up Warning. The MDX featured a sophisticated body design called "Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) Body Structure," designed to absorb crash impact and protect occupants. The MDX received high safety ratings, with the IIHS rating it as "good" in all crash-test categories and the NHTSA awarding it a five-star overall safety rating.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came standard with Audi Pre Sense and Pre Sense Front, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Lane-departure warning was also standard. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera system. The Q3 offered a range of driver assistance features, enhancing its safety credentials.