2020 Acura MDX vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2020 Acura MDX was a stylish crossover SUV, though its design was not particularly groundbreaking. It blended seamlessly into its surroundings without drawing much attention, yet it maintained a respectable appearance. The MDX featured Acura's signature Jewel Eye LED headlights, which added a touch of elegance to the front of the vehicle. 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 sophisticated look. Inside, the MDX offered a modern and simple interior, highlighted by twin infotainment screens and high-quality materials that provided a solid and well-built feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Forester, despite being redesigned in 2019, retained a familiar look reminiscent of its previous generation. Its boxy, upright shape appealed to SUV shoppers seeking practicality. The Forester Sport models added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black alloy wheels, enhancing its appearance. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the Forester shared its underpinnings with other Subaru models, emphasizing its rugged identity. Inside, the Forester's no-nonsense interior featured durable materials, with the Sport trim adding orange accents. While it offered cloth upholstery in lower trims, higher trims boasted leather upholstery and an All-Weather Package with heated features.

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 version with a 3.0-liter V6 engine and three electric motors, delivering 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 technology for improved cornering. The MDX's suspension absorbed road imperfections, ensuring a comfortable ride.

The 2021 Subaru Forester featured a single powertrain: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). While adequate for most situations, the engine lacked the desired thrust for highway merging and overtaking. The Forester's suspension prioritized comfort, resulting in noticeable body roll and bounce on uneven surfaces. However, its standard all-wheel drive and X-Mode offered enhanced traction on various surfaces, and its 8.7 inches of ground clearance made it capable of handling light off-road conditions.

The 2020 Acura MDX provided a spacious interior with sliding and reclining second-row seats for easy access to the third row. It offered 15.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 90.9 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The MDX featured numerous storage compartments, including a flexible center console and door panel pockets. Tri-zone climate control ensured comfort for all passengers.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in headroom and legroom, thanks to its tall roofline. It offered 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded. While lacking a sliding second-row bench, the Forester provided a power liftgate on higher trims. The interior featured well-sized cupholders and a reasonably sized center console, though the phone-storage cubby was small. The Forester's controls were user-friendly, with large knobs for audio and climate control.

The 2020 Acura MDX came equipped with a range of technology features, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a CD player. The Technology Package added advanced features like navigation, rain-sensing wipers, and a premium audio system. The Advance Package further enhanced the MDX with features like a surround-view camera and heated seats. An Entertainment Package offered a rear entertainment system with a large screen.

The 2021 Subaru Forester featured the Starlink infotainment system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added an 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio, and navigation. The Forester's infotainment system was user-friendly, though the screen was slow to boot up. Additional displays provided secondary information, but the setup felt overly complex.

The 2020 Acura MDX included AcuraWatch, a suite of safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring, while the Advance Package included a surround-view camera. The MDX received high safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and a five-star NHTSA rating. It featured Subaru's EyeSight system with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Forester also offered a driver-monitoring system and optional features like blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking.