2022 Subaru Outback vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness stood out with its elevated stance, offering 9.5 inches of ground clearance, which was 0.8 inches higher than other Outback models. This gave it a more rugged appearance, akin to a Jeep rather than a traditional station wagon. The vehicle featured aggressive all-terrain tires, oversized fender protection trim, and restyled bumpers that improved its approach and departure angles. Additional design elements included a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, blacked-out exterior trim with Anodized Copper accents, and a matte black hood decal. The roof rack and rail system were new, supporting a 700-pound static load, and the exclusive Geyser Blue paint hue added to its distinctiveness.

Inside, the Outback Wilderness's cabin was dominated by dark gray and black tones. The StarTex water-repellant upholstery mimicked leather but wasn't, and while heated seats were standard, ventilated seats were absent. The interior featured a black headliner, Gunmetal Gray trim, Anodized Copper stitching and accents, brushed aluminum pedals, and all-weather floor mats. The rear seatbacks and cargo tray were waterproof, enhancing the vehicle's practicality. These modifications collectively gave the Outback Wilderness a unique personality and purpose, setting it apart from standard versions.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S Advance trim arrived with extra-cost Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid (white) interior, priced at $74,995. This fourth-generation MDX was the first Acura SUV to wear the Type S badge, featuring subtle yet sporty design cues. It had chicane-design LED running lights and taillights, LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and minor front styling modifications. The 21-inch wheels and quad exhaust outlets framed a rear diffuser panel, giving it a proper stance.

Inside, the MDX Type S featured perforated Milano leather, aluminum interior trim, and a Sport Appearance package with a black headliner and stainless steel pedal covers. The Type S Advance added open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard. However, the body tapering at the doors sometimes made it look like the MDX had a massive dent, and the gloss black plastic on the dashboard made some controls challenging to use. The electronic transmission switchgear was also confusing, detracting from the overall experience.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. This engine, shared with the turbo Outback XT models, provided ample power for the 3,896-pound SUV, allowing a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The EPA estimated fuel efficiency at 24 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing averaged 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route.

The Outback Wilderness featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters. However, the CVT's droning and mushy simulated gear changes detracted from the driving experience. The vehicle's all-wheel drive (AWD) system, combined with its 9.5 inches of ground clearance, 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and revised suspension and traction systems, made it highly capable off-road. The redesigned bumpers improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, while the dual function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control enhanced its off-road prowess.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, generating 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). This system could direct up to 70 percent of engine output to a single rear wheel, enhancing cornering performance. The MDX Type S also had an Integrated Dynamics System with Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, and an exclusive Lift mode that increased ground clearance to 9.4 inches.

Despite these enhancements, the MDX Type S's performance upgrades didn't gel into a cohesive whole. The transmission was indecisive, the ride lacked compliance, and the brake pedal modulation was poor. The engine's power increase over the standard V6 was modest, and fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 16.9 mpg in combined driving. The MDX Type S struggled as a driver's SUV, with issues like squealing tires, lack of suspension compliance, and more body roll than expected, making it less predictable and less enjoyable to drive.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, a water-repellant simulated leather that prevented water and sweat from soaking into the seats. While heated front seats were standard, ventilated seats were absent, making the interior uncomfortable in hot weather. The driver's seat offered 10-way power adjustment, and the front passenger seat had 8-way power adjustment. The rear seat provided generous space for two adults or three kids, with rear air conditioning vents and dual USB charging ports. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seats, with the option to remove the center section of the second-row seat for easier third-row access. The Type S Advance trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, wrapped in quilted leather upholstery. The second-row seat was comfortable and supportive, with heating for the outboard positions. The third row was best suited for children due to limited space. The cargo area provided 18.1 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat. The MDX also had a hands-free liftgate with a Walk Away Close function, making it convenient for loading and unloading cargo.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment and climate control system. While it had physical knobs for stereo volume and tuning and buttons for temperature control, most functions required using the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was not very responsive, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for voice commands. The Outback Wilderness also featured PIN code entry technology, allowing the key fob to be left inside the vehicle while engaging in outdoor activities.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display, operated via a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) on the center console. The TTI design was intended to reduce distraction but proved challenging to use and took up valuable storage space. The MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In for voice commands. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display (HUD) showing navigation instructions, driving assistance status, and vehicle speed. The MDX also had a top-shelf Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers, providing excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight advanced driving assistance system (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and a driver monitoring system. The vehicle also had steering-responsive headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. The Outback Wilderness had not been crash-tested, but the standard Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2023 Acura MDX included the Acura Watch suite of safety features, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and Traffic Jam Assist. The MDX also had a blind-spot monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The MDX earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings for driver and front passenger protection in the frontal-impact test.