2020 Acura MDX vs 2020 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Volvo XC90 retained the timeless elegance seen in the brand’s earlier models, like those from the ‛80s and ‛90s, but added a modern touch that made them even more appealing. The R-Design trim had a blacked-out, honeycomb grille intersected by the classic diagonal Volvo bar—adding sophistication to an already handsome vehicle. Elements such as the black window surrounds, mirrors, an aggressive chin spoiler, and 22-inch rims acted as the jewelry that enhanced its robust figure. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights became standard, delivering a striking presence, which was further complemented by the tall, thin, curving LED taillights. The subtle arching shoulder crease, a design cue from the 1999 S80 sedan, added width and stability.

The XC90 shined even more with its interior contrasted. While the Thunder Grey Metallic exterior color, with its blue hue, might have looked boring in theory, it was anything but in practice. The beige leather and aluminum interior created a striking 'wow' factor. The limited Excellence trim, though no longer available, had once offered a lavish four-seat layout but at a steep price.

Customization options were rich in the 2020 XC90, with trims like the Inscription offering matte wood trim and wool fabric seats, and the R-Design featuring leather with aluminum or carbon-fiber accents. The seats, echoing the quality of Volvo’s 1998 S70, provided unparalleled comfort with features like adjustable thigh extensions and optional massage. The rear seats were almost as luxurious as the front, and the cabin was full of rich leather and padded materials, ensuring quality and safety. Small but significant details like the Swedish flag tag and the uniquely crafted ignition knob and gear shifter indicated high craftsmanship. The simple and quality-focused design ethos was clear, a feat not quite matched by competitors like Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, or Acura.

The 2020 Acura MDX had a pleasant and inoffensive design, but did not break new ground or become the centerpiece of any parking lot. Yet, it was neither embarrassing nor inconspicuous. Acura’s adoption of LED technology was evidenced by the Jewel Eye headlights which, though functional, also added a premium touch with five LED elements per side arranged in a unique horizontal pattern.

The MDX exhibited sleek and streamlined lines for a three-row SUV, with good paint and flawless chrome. Its interior was modern and simple, less padded and stitched compared to other luxury interiors. The highlight was its twin infotainment screens which consisted of an 8.0-inch LED screen for navigation and a lower On Demand Multi-Use Display (ODMD) touchscreen surrounded by three rows of buttons and a large command wheel.

Material quality was high, reflecting superior craftsmanship. Switches and knobs actuated assertively, imparting a sense of solid build quality and durability.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, revolving around a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models provided 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, which felt rather insufficient for a heavy vehicle like the XC90. The T6 models added a supercharger, delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, which was more appropriate for its size, although the engine sometimes felt non-linear in its power delivery.

The Polestar tune upgrade, available for $1,295, could boost the T6’s output to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. However, even with this, the XC90 did not feel exceptionally fast with some acceleration lag and noise issues. The T8 plug-in hybrid combined an 11.6-kWh battery with a 2.0-liter engine, peaking at 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, but the additional weight of the hybrid system blunted its performance advantage.

In terms of fuel economy, the XC90 lagged behind competitors like BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE450. The T6 AWD had unimpressive mileage ratings of 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined. The T8 offered a slight improvement with 27 mpg combined post-battery depletion.

Handling-wise, even with features like the Polestar upgrade, the XC90 could not claim a sporty character. It excelled in terms of comfort and quietness rather than spirited driving.

The 2020 Acura MDX had two main powertrains. The standard model came with a naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6 producing 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive. The Sport Hybrid variant paired a 3.0-liter V6 with three electric motors, delivering a combined power of 321 hp and 289 lb-ft, managed by a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive.

In real-world driving, the gasoline-only MDX with Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) impressed with its straight-line performance and nimbleness in corners and curves. Torque vectoring technology enhanced its handling by directing power to the outside wheels during cornering, making it smooth and confidence-inspiring, particularly during launch-off maneuvers. The four-wheel independent suspension added to its comfort, ensuring a smooth ride over long distances.

In earlier iterations, Volvo's Sensus infotainment system was criticized for its sluggish response times, but the 2020 XC90 saw improvements, initializing swiftly and handling menu transitions better. This was crucial as it housed controls for essential functions like climate settings. While physical buttons were limited, the sleek layout of the system generally streamlined the user experience.

The XC90 came standard with seven seats, making it a good option for families. It offered an integrated booster cushion in the second-row bench, a unique feature simplifying life for parents. Optional configurations included 6 seats for T6 and T8 trims, except on the R-Design model. The first and second rows offered impressive legroom and comfort. The third row was, however, tight and best suited for small children. The XC90 provided up to 85.7 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats folded, alongside excellent sightlines from the driver's seat.

The 2020 Acura MDX, with its focus on family functionality, featured sliding and reclining second-row seats making access to the third row easier. It had commendable headroom in all three rows and better utilized its space. Behind the third row, the MDX offered 15.8 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 43.4 cubic feet with the third row folded flat and up to 90.9 cubic feet with the second-row seat folded—an advantage over the XC90. Clever storage solutions included an underfloor storage space for concealing valuable items, as well as various bins and cupholders across all rows.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated system integrating adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist that brilliantly managed steering and traffic controls on marked highways. Four-zone climate control also came standard. The highlight was the Bowers & Wilkins stereo system in the R-Design model, featuring 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power, delivering a concert-like audio experience.

The portrait-oriented touchscreen facilitated easy navigation, although onboard apps were slow to load. The digital instrument panel was limited in its customizability compared to rivals like Audi or Mercedes. However, the utility of these high-res displays outweighed the slow app load times.

The 2020 Acura MDX leaned into package-based options, starting with a base model that included essential tech features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and an eight-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added more advanced features like rain-sensing wipers, parking sensors, GPS-linked climate control, and a premium audio system with 10 speakers. The Advance Package took it a step further with a multi-faceted suspension system, fog lights, heated and ventilated front seats, a surround-view camera, and other luxury touches. The additional Entertainment Package brought a rear entertainment system and more speakers.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 had exemplary safety ratings, scoring top marks from both NHTSA and IIHS, though its headlight rating from IIHS prevented it from earning the “+” designation. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, driver-attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's longstanding dedication to safety was clear, with features like a robust boron steel roof and whiplash protection system.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered AcuraWatch as standard, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Upgrades via the Technology Package included blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while the Advance Package added a Head-Up Warning system. Its structural integrity was reinforced by Acura’s ACE body structure, absorbing and distributing impact energy effectively.

The MDX earned "good" ratings from IIHS for crash-test categories and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.