2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2022 Acura MDX

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek embodied the adage “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” Car shoppers flocked to crossovers for their rugged looks, available all-wheel drive (AWD), and tall driving positions, so Subaru imbued its Impreza hatchback with those same characteristics. The Crosstrek was visually differentiated from the Impreza by black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and a taller ride height that afforded 8.7 inches of ground clearance. These changes allowed the Crosstrek to do a reasonably good impression of an SUV, giving it more character than the base Impreza hatch. The interior, however, remained virtually unchanged from the Impreza hatchback, functional but somewhat plain-looking.

The 2022 Acura MDX, on the other hand, pioneered the three-row luxury crossover SUV category and always looked smaller on the outside than it felt on the inside. Built on a new dedicated platform, the MDX featured a longer wheelbase, overall length, and a wider body and track. The exterior design was sportier and more assertive, with standard Jewel Eye LED headlights and bigger wheels and tires. Inside, the MDX was modernized with a layered dashboard, authentic materials like natural wood and genuine aluminum, and a unique gear selection at the center console. The MDX offered a high level of craftsmanship and quality, befitting a luxury vehicle in its price range.

For 2021, the Subaru Crosstrek offered a new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine on the Sport and Limited trim levels, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trim levels continued with the previous 2.0-liter boxer-four, which produced 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on Base and Premium trims, while a continuously variable transmission (CVT) was optional. All trim levels came with standard AWD, featuring torque vectoring and X-Mode for loose surfaces. Despite the SUV-like stance, the Crosstrek's handling was predictable, with a comfortable ride and low wind noise, although the higher center of gravity resulted in increased body roll.

The 2022 Acura MDX came with a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. A new 10-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels in base MDX and Tech trims, or to all four wheels with Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). SH-AWD models benefited from torque vectoring, enhancing cornering feel and control. The MDX also featured a reworked suspension with a double-wishbone setup in the front and revised rear multi-link suspension, improving ride quality and sporty handling. The new 10-speed automatic transmission worked smoothly with the engine, and the Integrated Dynamics System offered five drive modes for various driving conditions.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback, with slightly more rear headroom. It provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 55.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While competitive against other small crossovers in passenger space, the Crosstrek lagged behind in cargo space compared to some rivals. CVT-equipped models featured a rear-seat reminder, and the front had a handy cubby hole with USB and auxiliary ports. However, storage space was minimal, and the driving position, while higher than the Impreza’s, didn’t allow for towering over other vehicles.

The 2022 Acura MDX, as a three-row SUV, provided comfortable seating for the first two rows, with an innovative second row featuring a removable center section. The second row could slide fore and aft, balancing legroom for second- and third-row passengers, and reclined up to 12 degrees. The third row was best suited for pre-teens and smaller people. The MDX offered between 16.3 and 18.1 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, up to 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 95 cubic feet with the second row folded. The standard power tailgate featured “Grab ‘N Go” and Hands-Free Access functions, and the interior lighting was customizable with 27 themes.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek used Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system, with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Premium and Sport trims added WiFi, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a single-disc CD player. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation was standard on the Limited trim and optional on lower trims. The Crosstrek also featured large analog knobs and buttons for vital functions, and chunky buttons on the steering wheel for EyeSight driver-assistance features.

The 2022 Acura MDX boasted the ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System with 16 speakers and 710 watts of amplification in the A-Spec and Advance Packages. The base MDX came with Premium Audio with nine speakers, while the Tech Package included an ELS Studio system with 12 speakers. All MDX models featured a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and the Acura Precision Cockpit 12.3-inch HD digital instrument panel. Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Qi-compatible wireless device charging, and a WiFi hotspot were standard. The MDX also offered a head-up display, CabinTalk feature, and over-the-air software updates.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests. The IIHS awarded the 2020 model a “Top Safety Pick” with the highest “good” rating in all crash tests. EyeSight driver-assist features were standard on CVT-equipped models, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Limited trim added automatic high beams, reverse automatic braking, lane-change assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Crash-test ratings for the 2022 Acura MDX were not yet released by the IIHS and NHTSA, but the outgoing 2020 model received overall “Good” and five-star ratings, respectively. The 2022 MDX featured a higher percentage of high-strength steel and an advanced safety structure. The front end was redesigned for pedestrian safety, and a low-speed braking control system operated between one and six mph. The AcuraWatch suite of safety and driver assistance technologies was standard, including collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, road departure mitigation, traffic sign recognition, driver attention monitor, and traffic-jam assist.