2023 Acura MDX vs 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid

When shopping for a new Acura MDX, buyers found both standard and Type S versions, each with trim packages that increased the amount of equipment. The standard MDX came in a base level with available Technology, A-Spec, and Advance packages, while the MDX Type S was offered in standard spec or with an Advance package. Prices ranged from $49,550 to $73,200, plus a destination charge of $1,195. The test vehicle arrived in Type S Advance trim with extra-cost Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid (white) interior, bringing the MSRP to $74,995. Despite the high price, the MDX Type S set expectations for quality, luxury, and driving dynamism, but it missed the mark in some respects.

The fourth-generation MDX was the first Acura SUV to wear the Type S badge, and it featured subtle design elements like chicane-design LED running lights and taillights, LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and 21-inch wheels. A panoramic sunroof was standard, and the Type S included perforated Milano leather, aluminum interior trim, and a Sport Appearance package. The Type S Advance added open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard. While the MDX Type S was appealing inside and out, some design choices, like the body tapering at the doors and gloss black plastic on the dashboard, detracted from its overall attractiveness.

The sixth-generation Honda CR-V represented a significant styling departure, with a more assertive, truck-like appearance. It was about 2.5 inches longer and half an inch wider than the outgoing model, with a longer wheelbase and wider front and rear tracks, giving it a more muscular stance. The new CR-V retained the classic D-pillar taillights but with a modern twist, and all CR-V headlights and taillights were now LED. The Sport Touring trim in deep Canyon River Blue featured special Sport styling, including black roof rails, black mirrors, dual chrome exhaust finishers, and black wheels.

The interior design followed the direction seen in the 2022 Civic and 2023 HR-V, with a honeycomb grille surrounding the climate control vents and spanning the width of the dash. The materials in the Sport Touring cabin felt high-quality, and the contrast stitching on the seats and steering wheel was an attractive touch. The consistency with its Honda stablemates and the trend toward a more premium feel were successful, making the CR-V Hybrid's interior both stylish and functional.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S was unique due to its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, generating 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, which were increases of 65 hp and 87 lb-ft over the standard 3.5-liter V6. However, the Type S also weighed 285 pounds more than the lightest standard MDX with all-wheel drive (AWD). The twin-scroll turbo V6 engine used a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters to power all four wheels through Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). This mechanical torque-vectoring AWD system could put up to 70 percent of total engine output to a single rear wheel, enhancing acceleration out of corners or tight curves.

The MDX Type S featured an Integrated Dynamics System with Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, along with a Lift mode that increased ground clearance from 7.3 inches to 9.4 inches. Despite these enhancements, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive driving experience. 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 not substantial, and the fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 16.9 mpg during the evaluation route, short of the EPA rating of 19 mpg combined. The MDX Type S was more agreeable in Normal mode but still had occasional delays in engine response and unrefined transmission behavior.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a new hybrid powertrain combining a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a two-motor hybrid-electric system, producing 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. This made it the most powerful CR-V to date, with a top speed of 115 mph. The hybrid powertrain provided a responsive driving experience, suitable for tasks like merging onto highways, and the CR-V Hybrid was now rated for towing up to 1,000 lbs. The 2023 CR-V Hybrid introduced a fourth drive mode, Snow, joining Sport, Normal, and Econ modes. The updated Real Time AWD system could send up to 50% of engine torque to the rear wheels, and the CR-V Hybrid also featured a hill-descent control system.

A new "B" shifter position allowed the driver to increase regenerative braking, sending more power back to the battery during braking and approximating a one-pedal driving experience. The CR-V Hybrid's fuel efficiency was impressive, with the front-wheel drive (FWD) Sport trim achieving 43 mpg city, 36 highway, and 40 combined. The AWD CR-V Hybrid was slightly less efficient but still offered significant fuel savings compared to the turbocharged model.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seats with a choice of two or three second-row seating positions and a cargo area with ample floor space. The test vehicle had all available upgrades, including a triple-zone automatic climate control system, 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, and quilted leather upholstery. The second-row seat could slide forward and back, but the rearmost position did not provide as much legroom as expected. The third row was best for children, as it was a tight squeeze for adults.

The MDX's cargo area was spacious, with 18.1 cubic feet of space behind the third-row seat, 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat. The power liftgate and underfloor storage bin added convenience, and the hands-free liftgate with Walk Away Close function was a thoughtful feature. However, the interior design prioritized style over storage space, with a small bin under the front center armrest and a touchpad interface that took up valuable console space.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid's larger exterior translated to more interior volume, with 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 76.5 cubic feet with them folded. This was comparable to the 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and more than the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The Sport Touring model had a hands-free power tailgate, and all CR-Vs featured wide-opening rear doors for easy access to the rear seating area. Rear seat legroom increased to 41 inches, and the reclining rear seats offered eight positions to maximize headroom and accommodate large boxes in the cargo area.

The CR-V Hybrid's interior featured a cubby ahead of the shifter designed to hold two smartphones side by side, eight cupholders throughout the cabin, and a console with best-in-class storage. The standard one-touch power moonroof added to the overall comfort and convenience of the interior.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a Digital Precision Cockpit with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. However, the infotainment screen was not touch-sensitive and required the use of a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) on the center console. The TTI design took up valuable console space and partially blocked the wireless charging pad. The MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa Built-In, SiriusXM satellite radio, a native navigation system, and AcuraLink connected services with a complimentary three-year subscription.

The top-shelf Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers provided excellent sound quality, and the Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display (HUD). However, the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs, leading to incorrect speed limit suggestions.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen display with physical volume and tuning knobs, while the Sport Touring trim had a 9-inch touchscreen with a volume knob and hard Seek buttons. Both Hybrid models had two USB-A and two USB-C ports, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control, heated mirrors, and heated front seats. The Sport Touring trim added driver’s seat memory, a four-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, heated steering wheel, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Sirius XM, HD radio, Wi-Fi capability, a wireless charging pad, and a 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system.

The Sport Touring trim also featured Honda’s smart navigation system, which optimized fuel efficiency based on the terrain of the route. The CR-V Hybrid's technology offerings were comprehensive and user-friendly, with a mix of physical buttons and touchscreen controls.

The 2023 Acura MDX included the Acura Watch suite of driving assistance and collision avoidance systems, featuring forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control with low-speed following capability, 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 received good crash-test ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA. However, the MDX's traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs, and the adaptive cruise control could be slow to resume the set speed after changing lanes.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid came standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies, including improved collision mitigation, road-departure mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. New safety features for 2023 included traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, low-speed braking control, a blind-spot information system, cross-traffic monitor, parking sensor system, rear-seat reminder, and rear seatbelt reminder.

The CR-V Hybrid also featured new airbags, dashboard patches, and a 15% stiffer structure for additional protection in the event of a crash. The CR-V Hybrid had earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA, making it a safe and reliable choice for families.