2020 Acura MDX vs 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2020 Acura MDX was a sleek and stylish crossover SUV, though its design was not particularly groundbreaking. It blended in well without drawing much attention, yet it maintained a sophisticated appearance. The Jewel Eye LED headlights added a touch of luxury to the front, with five LED elements per side arranged horizontally. The MDX's exterior featured a trapezoidal grille with a prominent Acura logo, chiseled details, and a fast roofline, all contributing to its sleek look. Inside, the MDX had a modern and simple design, with twin infotainment screens and high-quality materials that gave it a solid and well-built feel.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid, while similar in appearance to its gas-only counterparts, featured "Hybrid" badges and blue Honda logos to distinguish it. The LED fog lights had a more refined design, and the rear bumper was different. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid had unique instrumentation to display battery-charge status, power regeneration, and power distribution. The interior was spacious, with supportive front seats and remarkable rear seat room. The Touring trim added luxurious touches like leather upholstery and a premium sound system, though the fake wood trim was a downside. The CR-V Hybrid was practical, with ample cargo space and thoughtful storage solutions.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered two powertrain options: a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a Sport Hybrid model with a 3.0-liter V6 engine and three electric motors, delivering a combined 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque. The gasoline-only model with Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) provided good straight-line performance and nimble handling, thanks to torque-vectoring technology. The MDX's four-wheel independent suspension ensured a comfortable ride, making it a reliable choice for long drives.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine, producing a total of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. It offered three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—automatically selecting the most appropriate one. The CR-V Hybrid was quick off the line, with a smooth and predictable driving experience. However, it fell short of its EPA rating of 38 mpg in combined driving, returning only 33.7 mpg during testing. Despite this, the CR-V Hybrid's driving dynamics were enjoyable, and it handled well with its slightly better weight distribution and standard all-wheel drive.

The 2020 Acura MDX was a practical choice for families, with sliding and reclining second-row seats for easy access to the third row. It offered 15.8 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 43.4 cubic feet with the third row folded flat, and 90.9 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The MDX featured ample storage options, including a big glove box, a flexible center console, and various cupholders and storage bins throughout the cabin. Tri-zone climate control ensured comfort for all passengers.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in interior space and comfort. The front seats were supportive, with 12-way power adjustment for the driver, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seat room was impressive, with ample legroom and comfort for adults. The CR-V Hybrid offered 33.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 68.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Despite the battery pack reducing cargo space compared to the standard CR-V, it remained practical for carrying luggage and other items. Interior storage was also well-designed, with thoughtful touches like quick-charge USB ports and a flat floor for rear passengers.

The 2020 Acura MDX came with a range of standard tech features, including Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an eight-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added features like rain-sensing windshield wipers, navigation, and a premium audio system. The Advance Package included additional tech like a surround-view camera system and heated and ventilated front seats. The Entertainment Package offered a rear entertainment system with a 16.2-inch screen and HDMI compatibility.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, while not outdated in appearance, lacked in performance. The seven-inch touchscreen was small for the segment, and the system was slow to start. Voice-recognition technology was subpar, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto necessary for better interaction. The Touring trim included wireless smartphone charging, though it took up valuable center console space. The nine-speaker premium audio system sounded good, and the infotainment system supported text messaging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Pandora internet radio.

The 2020 Acura MDX came with standard AcuraWatch, which 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 Head-Up Warning. The MDX's Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) Body Structure enhanced crash protection. The MDX received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid was equipped with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Road Departure Mitigation. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was also standard. The CR-V Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.