2020 Acura MDX vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Acura MDX was designed to blend in rather than stand out. Its styling wasn’t groundbreaking or breathtaking but it did offer a sophisticated, upscale look. The Jewel Eye LED headlights provided both function and a touch of luxury, featuring five LED elements per side. The trapezoidal grille with a prominent Acura logo anchored its expressive face. Despite being a three-row SUV, the MDX maintained a sleek and low-slung profile, complemented by flawless paint and chrome finishes. Inside, the MDX kept things modern and simple, featuring a high-mounted 8.0-inch LED screen for navigation over an ODMD touchscreen and a central control wheel. The materials used felt high-quality and well-fitted, contributing to a solid, well-built impression.

The 2021 Honda CR-V, however, looked quite similar to many other compact crossovers on the market. Despite its almost ubiquitous design, it did feature a few distinctive elements like the grille opening and chromed plastic accents. The color options were somewhat limited, especially on the lower trims, with the more interesting hues reserved for the higher trims. Inside, the CR-V offered black, gray, and ivory interiors, with trim-level upgrades adding wood panels and chrome for a more upscale feel. Although the CR-V might not be a top choice for those seeking unique styling, it still featured modern looks that appealled to a broad audience.

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

Driving the gasoline-only model with Acura’s SH-AWD revealed good straight-line performance and nimble handling, particularly in corners, assisted by the torque-vectoring technology. The suspension soaked up road bumps effectively, making the MDX comfortable for long drives.

The 2021 Honda CR-V offered a single 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all nine trims. It could accelerate to 60 mph in about 7.8 seconds, which was respectable for its class, though not particularly exciting. The CR-V used a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which provided smooth, steady acceleration but lacked engaging driving dynamics.

The CR-V’s suspension setup—MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link suspension in the rear—matched what was typical in its class. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive as an extra-cost option. Overall, the CR-V delivered predictable handling and ride quality, without surprises.

The 2020 Acura MDX excelled in interior functionality, especially as a family-oriented three-row SUV. Its sliding and reclining second-row seats made the third-row access easier, and it offered ample headroom across all rows. Cargo space included 15.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 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 hole, covered underfloor storage, a large glove box, and a flexible center console. The MDX also featured tri-zone climate control for added comfort.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V was designed to comfortably fit five passengers and their gear. It offered 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, which was slightly more than a Toyota RAV4. With the rear seats folded, the CR-V provided 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly less than the MDX but still ample for most needs. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured manual, power, or hands-free power tailgates. While many trims lacked roof rails, they were standard on the top-tier Touring trim.

The 2020 Acura MDX was equipped with extensive tech offerings, even in the base model. Standard features included Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, hands-free Bluetooth, a CD/MP3 player, five USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an eight-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added navigation, a premium audio system, and GPS-linked climate control among other features. The Advance Package further enhanced tech offerings with a surround-view camera, heated rear seats, and a DVD entertainment system available with the optional Entertainment Package.

In the 2021 Honda CR-V, the base LX trim offered a modest 5-inch screen with Bluetooth. Higher trims featured a 7-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Audio systems varied, starting from a 180-watt system in the Special Edition and EX trims to a 300-watt system with a subwoofer in the Touring trim. Charging ports were plentiful in all but the base trim, which included various USB outlets and even a wireless phone charger in the Touring model.

The 2020 Acura MDX came standard with AcuraWatch, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. Additional safety features were available in higher trim packages, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera. The MDX received high safety ratings, with IIHS giving it top marks in most categories and NHTSA awarding it a five-star overall rating.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety. It earned both a five-star NHTSA rating and IIHS Top Safety Pick award. Its safety suite, called Honda Sensing, included advanced features like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control, all as standard. The only feature missing from the base trim was blind-spot monitoring, available from the EX trim upwards.