2020 Acura MDX vs 2021 Nissan Murano

In terms of aesthetics, the 2020 Acura MDX and the 2021 Nissan Murano each presented distinct design philosophies. The Acura MDX showcased a pleasant, if not entirely groundbreaking look. While it might not have turned heads in parking lots or attracted preferential valet treatment at upscale venues, its styling was clean and attractive enough to seamlessly fit in anywhere.

One of the aesthetic highlights of the MDX was its Jewel Eye LED headlights. Acura was an early adopter of LED technology, which, besides providing excellent illumination, also lent a sophisticated appearance to the SUV's front. The Jewel Eye array featured five LED elements per side, flanked by a trapezoidal grille with a prominent Acura logo at the center, delivering an expressive face to the vehicle. For a three-row SUV, the MDX had a sleek and low-slung profile, enhanced by its flawless paint and chrome details.

Inside, the MDX maintained a modern, minimalist flair. It avoided the overly plush padding and excessive stitching seen in many luxury vehicles. The center stack was particularly noteworthy, boasting dual infotainment screens—an 8.0-inch LED screen for navigation positioned above an On Demand Multi-Use Display (ODMD) touchscreen, with a bunch of physical buttons and a central command wheel for ease of use. High-quality materials and superior fit and finish gave the MDX a solid, well-built feel, with knobs and switches that actuated with a satisfying authority.

The 2021 Nissan Murano, by comparison, exuded a design that had once been ahead of its time but had now settled into the mainstream. Its L-shaped LED headlights and heavily contoured front end, once revolutionary, had become typical in modern car design. Nevertheless, it delivered a confident exterior look. The onus on comfort rather than sportiness meant the Murano retained a more conservative yet focused interior design. It aimed to be a comfortable, commuter-friendly SUV rather than a groundbreaking, high-performance machine.

The Murano offered several trims—S, SV, SL, and Platinum. Even the base trim came with ample features, including an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and dual-zone climate control. Higher trims added more luxuries, making the Murano versatile for various needs and budgets. Inside, it prioritized ease of use with logically placed controls and a traditional shifter design, minimizing the learning curve for new drivers.

Under the hood, the 2020 Acura MDX provided a choice between two powertrains. The base engine was a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 capable of producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain could be paired with either front-wheel drive or Acura’s advanced Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). For those seeking a hybrid option, the MDX Sport Hybrid combined a 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine with three electric motors, delivering a robust 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

The MDX's driving experience was commendable, especially with the SH-AWD system. It demonstrated strong straight-line performance with quick acceleration and nimbleness in curves and corners, thanks to torque-vectoring technology. This system effectively sharpened turn-in and improved handling, making the MDX both smooth and confident during spirited driving. The MDX also provided a comfortable ride with its four-wheel independent suspension, ideal for long journeys.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Murano came with a single-engine option—a 3.5-liter V6 producing 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offered standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. Though the V6 provided strong low-speed acceleration, the CVT tended to dilute the engine's power at higher speeds, which might have required a brief pause during highway overtakes.

The Murano favored a comfort-first approach in its ride quality. It maintained refined driving characteristics, handling corners smoothly while effectively absorbing road imperfections. This quality made the Murano especially suitable for commutes and long road trips. However, its towing capacity capped at 1,500 pounds, which was among the lowest in its class and even lagged behind several compact SUVs.

Regarding interior space and practicality, the 2020 Acura MDX and the 2021 Nissan Murano served different needs. The MDX embraced the role of a family-friendly three-row SUV. It featured sliding and reclining second-row seats, facilitating easier access to the third row while allowing adjustable legroom distribution among the rows. Headroom was generously provided across all three rows, ensuring comfort for all passengers.

In terms of cargo capacity, the MDX offered 15.8 cubic feet behind the third row. Folding the third row flat expanded the cargo space to 43.4 cubic feet, and with the second row also folded flat, the MDX boasted a substantial 90.9 cubic feet of cargo space. Additional storage solutions included a recessed cubby hole, a covered underfloor storage area, a large glove box, and versatile center console space, making it highly adaptable for various storage needs. Tri-zone climate control ensured personalized comfort for all occupants.

In contrast, the Murano focused on maximizing comfort within its two-row seating configuration. With the rear seats in use, the Murano provided 32.1 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 67 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Though falling short of the Acura MDX in total cargo volume, the Murano offered practical storage solutions with a hands-free power liftgate available in higher trims.

The Murano excelled in front and second-row comfort, providing ample headroom and legroom. Second-row passengers enjoyed partial reclining seats, contributing to an overall relaxing and spacious environment. While it might not have matched the cargo advantage of the MDX, the Murano offered user-friendly design elements like adjustable center consoles and well-placed storage trays and cubbies.

The 2020 Acura MDX incorporated a streamlined approach to technology features via its curated trim packages. The base MDX came equipped with essentials like Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, five USB ports, and an eight-speaker audio system. For more advanced tech, buyers could opt for the Technology Package, which added rain-sensing wipers, LED puddle lights, navigation with real-time traffic updates, GPS-linked climate control, remote engine start, and a 10-speaker premium audio system.

Additional tech-oriented packages included the Advance Package and the Entertainment Package. The former brought in the Active Damper System suspension, LED fog lights, heated and ventilated front seats, a surround-view camera, and more. The Entertainment Package provided a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, available with either a 9.0-inch or a 16.2-inch screen, with added speakers and HDMI compatibility.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supported by a straightforward menu layout complemented by physical buttons and dials. This setup made navigating the system intuitive. Additionally, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration made smartphone connectivity seamless.

Higher trims of the Murano offered an 11-speaker Bose premium stereo system and navigation, enhancing the in-car audio and navigation experience. The approachable design of the infotainment and control systems made it user-friendly, minimizing the learning curve for drivers transitioning from other vehicles.

The MDX came standard with AcuraWatch, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while the Advance Package introduced Head-Up Warning. Standard safety features encompassed a rearview camera, front, side, and curtain airbags, stability control with traction control, and Trailer Stability Assist for AWD models. Acura’s ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) Body Structure was designed to absorb crash impacts, further protecting occupants.

The 2021 Nissan Murano included Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard, which featured reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Additional standard features from previous models, such as forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and driver drowsiness monitoring, maintained a well-rounded safety profile. Optional safety features included a surround-view monitor, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and front-and-rear parking sensors.