2020 Acura MDX vs 2020 Subaru Ascent

The 2020 Subaru Ascent had practical and utilitarian charm typical of Subaru’s design language. Resembling an enlarged Forester, the Ascent was draped in gray plastic cladding along the lower edges for 360-degree protection. Its oversized grille and exaggerated fender flares imparted a visually strong presence. Robust roof rails further enhanced its purposeful design, while the appealing 20-inch aluminum wheels were standard across three of the four trim levels.

Starting at $31,995, the base Ascent came with smaller 18-inch wheels and lacked dark-tinted privacy glass. Upgrading to the Premium trim at $34,395 added fine detailing, a superior infotainment system, and access to larger wheels. The Limited trim, priced at $39,345, introduced leather seating and more amenities. At the top of the range, the Touring trim at $45,045 included premium leather in an exclusive color, a panoramic sunroof, special wood trim, and other luxury features.

The test vehicle, a Touring trim priced at $46,285 including destination charges, was painted Abyss Blue Pearl, contrasting beautifully with its machined-finish wheels and special Java Brown leather interior. Once inside, the design felt more sophisticated than previous Subaru models. The materials and thoughtful details suggested quality and practicality, giving a sense of getting one's money’s worth.

In contrast, the 2020 Acura MDX wasn’t groundbreaking in terms of styling but had a polished look. It was subtle and elegant, capable of fitting in anywhere from a parking lot to a country club without drawing excessive attention or shame. Acura’s Jewel Eye LED headlights, featuring five LED elements per side, added a rich look and function to the MDX’s front. These headlights flanked a trapezoidal grille, creating an expressive face anchored by the prominent Acura logo.

Sleek and low-slung for a three-row SUV, the MDX boasted chiseled details and a fast roofline, complemented by flawless paint and chrome. Inside, the design was modern and straightforward, lacking excess padding and stitching typically seen in luxury interiors. A highlight was the center stack with twin infotainment screens—an 8.0-inch screen for navigation above an On-Demand Multi-Use Display touchscreen and a centralized command wheel surrounded by buttons.

High-quality materials and superior fit and finish made the MDX feel solid and well-built. Knobs and switches had a tactile, rewarding feel, heightening the sense of quality throughout.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and featured all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard. With 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, the Ascent provided good acceleration for its size. The turbocharged nature of the engine ensured that power remained strong even at higher elevations, mitigating the typical power loss experienced by naturally aspirated engines.

However, the engine proved thirsty, averaging 18.9 mpg during testing, significantly short of the EPA’s combined estimate of 22 mpg. The SUV’s driving range was under 365 miles per tank due to this. Despite its sporty aspirations, the Ascent did not encourage spirited driving. The P245/50R20 Falken Ziex all-season tires weren’t designed for fun handling on pavement, and the rather slow, numb steering was not conducive to exploring the Ascent’s limits. Pavement undulations easily unsettled the suspension, activating stability control, and the brakes heated up quickly, becoming noisy.

While the CVT behaved decently with its eight programmed ratios, it had issues with the turbocharged engine. In traffic, the transmission could produce unexpected power surges or fail to respond quickly, leading to uneven power delivery. The shifter felt cheap, clunking when shifted out of Park, especially on hills, adding to the feeling of mechanical unease.

The Ascent’s suspension felt backwards—too stiff on bumps and potholes while struggling on undulating surfaces at higher speeds. However, it excelled on smooth freeways and in icy, snowy conditions, making it most at home in those environments. Off-road, the Ascent’s 8.7 inches of ground clearance and various AWD systems, including X-Mode and Hill Descent Control, allowed it to handle rough terrains well, a crucial dynamic for many buyers.

Conversely, the 2020 Acura MDX offered a choice of two powertrains: a 3.5-liter naturally-aspirated V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Alternatively, the MDX Sport Hybrid combined a 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine with three electric motors to deliver a total of 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) and all-wheel drive.

The tested gasoline-only model came with Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The MDX demonstrated excellent straight-line performance, with brisk acceleration and well-behaved transmission shifts. Paddle shifters allowed for manual gear changes, but the transmission’s intelligent programming meant it often shifted appropriately on its own when in Comfort or Sport mode.

In corners, the MDX’s SH-AWD system, with torque-vectoring technology, improved handling by directing power to the outside wheel during turns. This resulted in a more responsive and stable car, particularly noticeable when accelerating around corners from a standstill. The power was seamlessly shifted to the appropriate wheels, providing a secure, drama-free driving experience.

The MDX’s four-wheel independent suspension absorbed road bumps well, ensuring a comfortable ride over long distances, making it a pleasant vehicle for both the driver and passengers.

Comfort in the 2020 Subaru Ascent was easily achievable, particularly in the Touring trim. The soft, supple leather seats were heated and ventilated, and a heated steering wheel was also available. The driver’s seat was 10-way power-adjustable, with a manual thigh support extension, and the armrests were densely padded for greater comfort.

Although the lack of a height adjuster for the front passenger seat was noted, the seat was high enough off the floor to mitigate this issue. Both front seats offered significant track travel, making the Ascent appealing to taller individuals. The dashboard provided a super-useful shelf and upscale ambient lighting, while the center control panel, though logically laid out, had a dated appearance. Storage options included a decent-sized center bin, door panel bins, armrest bins, and a glove compartment.

The Ascent offered a choice between a 3-person second-row bench seat and individual captain’s chairs, with the latter available in Premium and Limited trims but standard in the Touring trim. Rear-seat passengers had access to a three-zone automatic climate control system, with added rear controls in higher trims. The captain’s chairs were comfortable, with sliding and reclining features to optimize legroom, and included heated cushions, side window shades, dual quick-charge USB ports, and cleverly integrated cupholders.

Third-row comfort was average, with adults finding it tolerable for short trips and children more comfortable, thanks to large side windows, a panoramic roof, overhead air-conditioning vents, multiple drink holders, and available USB ports. Cargo space was practical, with 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 47 cubic feet with the seats folded, and up to 86 cubic feet with all seats down. Various racks and carriers were available for the Ascent’s roof rails, enhancing cargo-carrying capability.

In contrast, the 2020 Acura MDX offered a spacious and well-thought-out interior. The second-row sliding and reclining seats facilitated easier access to the third row and allowed for flexible legroom distribution. Headroom was sufficient in all three rows. The MDX provided 15.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 43.4 cubic feet with the third row folded flat, and up to 90.9 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down. Additional storage options included a recessed cubby on the rear cargo wall and a covered underfloor compartment for concealed storage.

Up front, the MDX featured a large glove box, overhead sunglass pocket, a flexible center console with two large cupholders, USB, power, and auxiliary jacks, and enough space to store a tablet, small laptop, or medium-sized purse. Door panels also offered water-bottle pockets and additional storage.

Second-row passengers had a pair of cupholders on the back of the center console and front-seat back pouches, while third-row passengers enjoyed an outboard armrest with a storage bin and cupholder. Standard tri-zone climate control allowed for separate temperature settings for the driver, front passenger, and rear cabin occupants. For families needing minivan functionality without compromising style, the MDX was an ideal option.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent featured the Starlink infotainment system, including Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, integrated apps like Pandora, and a CD player. Starting from the Premium trim, an 8-inch touchscreen display, text-messaging capability, 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Starlink Safety and Security connected services were included. The Touring trim further enhanced these with a high-resolution screen and navigation.

Despite its smaller screen size, the Touring trim’s display was satisfying in operation, with stereo knobs for tuning and volume and completely separate climate controls. However, Subaru’s voice-control system lagged behind, lacking the ability to recognize natural commands and common phrases promptly. Navigational inaccuracies during testing caused significant irritation as the system misjudged the vehicle's location.

Pairing via Bluetooth and streaming music was straightforward, and the premium Harman Kardon speakers offered rich sound quality. USB ports were available in all three rows, balancing the absence of a wireless smartphone charging pad. Visibility aids included a 180-degree front camera view and a rear camera view shown through the rearview mirror, although a top-down 360-degree camera and front parking sensors were missing. The unique PIN Code Vehicle Access system, ideal for active lifestyles, allowed users to lock the key fob inside the vehicle and use a touchpad to unlock it, offering convenience for hikers, bikers, and adventurers.

The 2020 Acura MDX, however, simplified its trim levels into packages full of technology features. The base MDX was well-equipped with Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, hands-free Bluetooth, SMS/MMS text message and email capability, a CD/MP3 player, five USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an eight-speaker audio system.

The Technology Package, an additional $5,000, included rain-sensing windshield wipers, LED puddle lights, front and rear parking sensors, navigation with Acura Real-Time Traffic and Traffic Rerouting, GPS-linked climate control, remote engine start, and a 10-speaker Acura/ELS Studio Premium Audio system. The Advance Package, costing $6,750, further added features like an Active Damper System suspension, LED fog lights, heated and ventilated front seats, power front lumbar support, heated rear outboard seats, a surround-view camera system, Head-Up Warning, and two third-row USB charge ports.

For an extra $2,000, the Entertainment Package could be added to either the Technology or Advance Package. It included a rear DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones, a 110-volt power outlet, and either a 9-inch or 16.2-inch Ultra-Wide Full VGA screen, depending on the package.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was built on Subaru’s latest global platform, designed to provide top-tier occupant protection. It received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Ascent came standard with Subaru’s EyeSight system, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and reverse automatic braking were available in higher trims.

The 2020 Acura MDX covered safety comprehensively with standard AcuraWatch, a suite of passive and active safety features. These included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. Packages added further features, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert in the Technology Package, and Head-Up Warning in the Advance Package.

Additional safety features included a rearview camera with dynamic guidelines (upgraded to a surround-view camera in the Advance Package), multiple airbags, stability control, Trailer Stability Assist (AWD models), tire pressure monitoring, LATCH mounts, and a theft-deterrent system. Acura’s “Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) Body Structure” was designed to absorb crash impact efficiently. Both IIHS and NHTSA rated the MDX highly, with IIHS rating it “good” in most categories, “acceptable” for headlights and LATCH ease of use, and “superior” for front crash prevention. NHTSA granted it a five-star overall safety rating.