2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Acura MDX

The 2020 Ford Explorer distinguished itself as a remarkably handsome SUV. Critics often mentioned that it looked even better than some luxury vehicles, such as the Land Rover Discovery, which had borrowed a bit from the Explorer's design ethos. The 2020 model took a step further in refining its upscale, utilitarian appearance by trimming excess bulk from the body panels, especially at the rear. This made the three-row SUV appear lower and more athletic. Distinguishing features included widened headlights, a commanding extra-large grille, and the iconic italic "Explorer" lettering on the hood’s edge. The tiny taillights were a point of contention, but the overall proportions were deemed almost perfect. A highlight was the ST version, adorned with black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, rich Rapid Red paint, and quad exhaust pipes—a combination that was hard not to admire.

Inside, however, the Ford Explorer struggled significantly. The interior materials felt subpar, especially for a vehicle costing upwards of $40,000. Many components felt plasticky and cheap, failing to deliver the luxury experience expected in this price range. Even the so-called leather felt more like low-grade vinyl. Elements like the top of the dashboard were padded, and some aluminum speaker covers added minor flair, but overall, the materials detracted from the otherwise premium feel. This discrepancy became especially notable when considering that similarly priced competitors, such as the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander, offered much better interiors.

The 2020 Acura MDX presented a more balanced approach. It was a good-looking crossover, though not particularly groundbreaking. It did not turn heads or gain preferential treatment in parking lots but managed to fit in comfortably wherever it went. Acura’s Jewel Eye LED headlights added a touch of elegance and functionality, with five LED elements per side set horizontally. The front also boasted an expressive trapezoidal grille anchored by a large Acura logo.

The interior of the MDX leaned towards modern simplicity rather than extravagant luxury. Its twin infotainment screens, featuring an 8.0-inch LED screen for navigation and an On-Demand Multi-Use Display touchscreen, offered a high-tech experience. The overall material quality and fit and finish were impressive, making the MDX feel particularly solid and well-built. The knobs and switches operated with authority, and the interior was devoid of unnecessary padding and stitching.

The 2020 Ford Explorer delivered an impressive performance across its available powertrain options. One major highlight was its shift to a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis, a move typically associated with luxury automakers like BMW. This setup provided better weight distribution and exhilarating driving dynamics, particularly in the ST trim. The ST version came armed with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine generating 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It was a nimble machine, capable of hanging tight on back roads, marked by precise steering and cornering that was remarkably flat. The braking was also highly effective, providing a confident driving experience.

The Explorer's other engine offerings included a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four producing 300 hp and 310 lb-ft, and a gas-electric hybrid option in the Limited trim, which combined a 3.3-liter V6 with an electric motor for a net 318 hp. While the hybrid powertrain didn’t offer substantial fuel economy benefits, the base turbo inline-four was well-regarded for its capability. Noteworthy was the Explorer's towing prowess, with the hybrid able to tow up to 5,000 pounds, the regular four-cylinder managing 5,300 pounds, and the V6 AWD variant handling up to 5,600 pounds.

The 2020 Acura MDX also came with strong performance credentials, fueled by either a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque or a Sport Hybrid version, offering a combined 321 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque from a 3.0-liter V6 and three electric motors. The nine-speed automatic transmission paired with the V6 was praised for its seamless shifts, while the Sport Hybrid employed a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for a more engaging driving experience.

When equipped with the Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), the MDX demonstrated impressive agility in corners and curves, thanks to torque-vectoring technology that directed power to the outside wheel, enhancing handling and providing a smooth and secure driving experience. The MDX’s four-wheel independent suspension effectively absorbed road imperfections, making it a comfortable companion for longer drives.

Space and practicality often come to the forefront in three-row SUVs, and both the 2020 Ford Explorer and Acura MDX offered substantial interior room and cargo capacity.

The 2020 Ford Explorer excelled with its roomy interior, particularly in the second row, which felt almost like first class due to air vents, USB ports, a handy center console for drinks, an expansive panoramic moonroof, and more. Notably, the third row was airy enough to accommodate six-foot-tall adults for short trips. The rear cargo area saw a slight reduction in space to optimize passenger comfort but still offered ample capacity. Behind the third row, the Explorer provided 18 cubic feet of space, expanding to 48 cubic feet behind the second row and a generous 88 cubic feet with all seats folded flat.

The 2020 Acura MDX also provided a functional and family-friendly interior. Its sliding and reclining second-row seats made third-row access easier, and headroom was commendable across all three rows. Cargo space behind the third row amounted to 15.8 cubic feet, which expanded to 43.4 cubic feet with the third row folded and 90.9 cubic feet with the second row also folded. Additionally, the MDX featured numerous storage solutions, including a recessed cubby hole in the rear, an underfloor storage area, a large glove box, and a versatile center console, making it highly practical.

In terms of tech features, the 2020 Ford Explorer offered a robust suite of standard and optional technologies. Included were an 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4G WiFi, keyless entry, remote start, three-zone climate control, and SiriusXM satellite radio. For more advanced needs, the Premium Technology Package added a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, enhancing the user experience and making navigation simpler. However, some aspects, like the driver’s inability to customize the gauge layout and limited functionality in adaptive cruise control, felt unfinished.

Acura took a different approach with the MDX, presenting several trim levels packed with technology features. The base model offered standard Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, hands-free Bluetooth, SMS/MMS text message and email capability, and an eight-speaker audio system. Upgrading to the Technology Package added navigation, GPS-linked climate control, remote engine start, and a premium audio system. The Advance Package introduced further luxury with features like a surround-view camera system, Head-Up Warning, and heated and ventilated seats. Meanwhile, the Entertainment Package provided a DVD rear entertainment system with high-quality screens and HDMI compatibility.

Both the 2020 Ford Explorer and Acura MDX were designed with safety in mind, yet there were distinctions in their features and ratings.

The Ford Co-Pilot360 suite came standard on the 2020 Explorer, including forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The optional Assist+ added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking. However, the latter feature was prone to false activations. In crash testing, the Explorer received an "Acceptable" rating in the small overlap test on the driver’s side from the IIHS, while other results were pending.

The MDX came with AcuraWatch as standard, providing adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a Head-Up Warning, and a surround-view camera system in higher trims. Acura's ACE body structure contributed to its safety ratings: the MDX scored "Good" in all crash-test categories from the IIHS and earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.