2020 Acura MDX vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

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, creating an expressive face. The MDX's sleek and low-slung profile, combined with flawless paint and chrome, contributed to its overall appeal. Inside, the MDX boasted a modern and simple design, with a center stack featuring twin infotainment screens and high-quality materials that provided a solid and well-built feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, though launched in 2005, was still in its second generation by 2021. It had received an interior and exterior refresh in 2018, which carried over into 2021, featuring a dual-screen center console that defined Land Rover interiors. The Range Rover Sport offered a range of trims, from the base SE to the high-performance SVR Carbon Edition, each with its own set of luxurious features. The interior was characterized by leather upholstery, climate control options, and a premium sound system. The Range Rover Sport's design exuded luxury and performance, with options like a supercharged V8 engine and carbon fiber accents in the SVR Carbon Edition, making it a standout choice for those seeking both style and power.

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 variant with a 3.0-liter V6 engine and three electric motors, delivering a combined 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque. The MDX's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system enhanced its performance, providing nimble handling and torque vectoring for improved cornering. The MDX's suspension system ensured a comfortable ride, making it a reliable choice for long journeys.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a variety of powertrain options, starting with the base P360 mild-hybrid powertrain, which combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HST model featured a more powerful P400 version, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The Range Rover Sport also offered plug-in hybrid and diesel options, with the P400e plug-in hybrid producing 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims featured a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine with 518 horsepower, while the SVR and SVR Carbon Edition boasted an even more powerful version with 575 horsepower. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive, along with a height-adjustable air suspension and Terrain Response system for off-road capability.

The 2020 Acura MDX provided a spacious interior with three rows of seating, making it a practical choice for families. The second-row seats were sliding and reclining, allowing for easy access to the third row and adjustable legroom. The MDX offered 15.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, which expanded to 43.4 cubic feet with the third row folded and 90.9 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The interior featured various storage compartments, including a flexible center console and door panel pockets, along with tri-zone climate control for added comfort.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. An optional third row increased seating capacity to seven, though the third row was best suited for children due to limited space. The first and second rows provided ample headroom and legroom, with luxurious appointments throughout the cabin. The Range Rover Sport's interior was designed for comfort and style, making it a suitable choice for those seeking a blend of practicality and luxury.

The 2020 Acura MDX featured a simplified trim structure with technology packages that added various features. The base model included standard tech features like Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an eight-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added navigation, rain-sensing wipers, and a premium audio system, while the Advance Package included additional features like a surround-view camera and heated seats. An Entertainment Package was also available, offering a rear entertainment system with a large screen and wireless headphones.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's interior was dominated by a dual-screen center console, with the lower screen controlling climate and vehicle settings and the upper screen housing the infotainment system. While the system had a learning curve, it offered features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Range Rover Sport also included a real volume button and integrated dials for controlling various functions. Despite some usability challenges, the infotainment system provided a range of features for tech-savvy drivers.

The 2020 Acura MDX came equipped with AcuraWatch, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, 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's body structure was designed to absorb impact energy, and it received high safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered standard safety features like forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, with additional options available for adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. Other available features included a surround-view camera and driver drowsiness monitoring. While the Range Rover Sport provided a decent list of safety features, some were only available as optional extras.