2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2023 Acura MDX

When discussing the visual and tactile appeal of the 2023 Acura MDX, potential buyers had a selection of standard and Type S versions to consider, each available with various trim packages. The standard MDX was available with a base level of specification accompanied by Technology, A-Spec, and Advance packages, while the MDX Type S had a standard specification with an optional Advance package. The price tags ranged from $49,550 to $73,200, excluding a destination charge of $1,195.

Our test vehicle was a Type S Advance trim, adorned with extra-cost Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid (white) interior, leading to a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $74,995. With such a high price, expectations for quality, luxury, and driving dynamism were elevated, and in some aspects, the MDX fell short.

As the first Acura SUV to bear the Type S badge, the MDX's S could have stood for subtlety, a commendable trait as advertising a vehicle's potential for law-breaking wasn't wise. Among its design elements were chicane-design LED running lights and taillights, LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, minor front styling changes, subdued badges, 21-inch wheels, a rear diffuser panel, and quad exhaust outlets, creating a refined yet assertive visual stance.

A panoramic sunroof was a standard feature for all MDX models, contributing to an open and airy cabin feel. The MDX also offered Iconic Drive ambient lighting themes inspired by famous racetracks and drives worldwide. Interior luxury in the Type S included perforated Milano leather, aluminum trim, a Sport Appearance package with a black headliner, stainless steel pedal covers, open-pore wood, and a leather-wrapped dashboard.

While the MDX Type S appeared appealing inside and out, some angles gave the impression of a massive dent due to the body tapering at the doors. Additionally, gloss-black plastic parts on the dashboard made finding and using some controls challenging. Acura's electronic transmission switchgear had also been a long-standing issue, with many, including this writer, occasionally getting confused despite leasing two MDXs since 2017. Despite these nit-picks, the vehicle largely remained an attractive luxury SUV.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered six trim levels, ranging from the sub-$30K LE to the luxurious Limited trim with ventilated seats. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims retained a two-part face, differentiated by blacked-out wheels, a faux skid plate, and distinct black cladding around the wheel arches, more for appearance than off-road prowess.

Our test vehicle, the Adventure trim, positioned the Toyota badge closer to the aggressively styled grille's center, adding orange accents to the interior, distinctive seat stripes, contrast stitching, and orange plastic borders to enhance the otherwise utilitarian center console. A frameless rearview mirror added a touch of premium feel to an otherwise straightforward interior. For those seeking more luxury, the Toyota Venza could be a consideration, offering a more refined, car-like experience compared to the RAV4’s rugged, truck-like feel.

In terms of seating, LE and XLE trims featured fabric seats, with XLE Premium upgrading to synthetic leather (SofTex) upholstery. The available seating featured manual and power adjustments, heated and ventilated seats, with a range of adjustments for the front seats, and a heated steering wheel as part of various option packages.

The driving experience in the 2023 Acura MDX Type S was defined by its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, boasting 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, an upgrade of 65 hp and 87 lb-ft over the standard 3.5-liter V6. Despite this, the Type S was 285 pounds heavier than the lightest AWD standard MDX.

Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, the twin-scroll turbo V6 engine delivered power through Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). This torque-vectoring system could route up to 70 percent of the engine's output to one rear wheel, providing a visceral sense of its mechanics during hard acceleration from a corner. Brake-based Agile Handling Assist further tightened the vehicle’s cornering line.

The Integrated Dynamics System offered Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, with an additional transmission Sport mode. Notably, the Type S featured an exclusive Lift mode, raising the ground clearance from 7.3 inches to 9.4 inches with the standard adaptive air suspension.

However, driving on 21-inch wheels and 275/40 all-season performance tires signaled its unsuitability for serious off-roading. Other Type S enhancements included a solid front stabilizer bar, an Electro-Servo brake system, and larger 14.3-inch front brake rotors with upgraded Brembo calipers, yet the performance enhancements didn’t form a holistic driving experience.

In testing, the MDX Type S demonstrated incongruity in its dynamic capabilities. The transmission showed indecisiveness, ride compliance was lacking, tires squealed under strain, and the brake pedal modulation felt inconsistent. More power wasn't evident compared to the standard V6, making the dismal fuel economy harder to tolerate. The evaluation route yielded an average of 16.9 mpg, falling short of the EPA's 19 mpg combined rating.

Switching to Sport+ mode improved drivetrain issues but led to a significant drop in fuel economy to 14.1 mpg while driving enthusiastically. Additionally, the brake pedal response suffered due to the Electro-Servo system, and the Continental self-sealing tires started to squeal before grip was lost. The lack of suspension compliance and unexpected body roll compounded the driving difficulties.

Ultimately, the recommendation favored the standard MDX with the A-Spec package for a more predictable driving experience, retaining the seasonable SH-AWD system without the high-strung performance quirks.

For the 2023 Toyota RAV4, the standard powertrain was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided more reliability than excitement and was preferable to the continuously variable transmission (CVT) found in competitors like the Honda CR-V. However, it lacked serious acceleration pep and generated notable engine noise.

The RAV4 Adventure trim, though visually inspired for off-road adventures, couldn’t fully measure up to its TRD Off-Road sibling, which featured 18-inch wheels with Falken All-Terrain tires and a TRD-tuned suspension for better off-road chops. The Adventure displayed 19-inch all-season tires, sharing the MacPherson independent front suspension and multi-link rear suspension common to the RAV4 lineup.

The 2023 Acura MDX delivered on functionality with three rows of seats and a versatile cargo area. The test vehicle, equipped with the Type S Advance package, included a triple-zone automatic climate control system and high-end 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage features wrapped in quilted leather upholstery.

Despite these amenities, the driver’s seat's firmness detracted from comfort during enthusiastic driving, lacking the expected supportive embrace. The cabin accommodated seven passengers, with second-row seats offering removable center sections and fold-down center armrests, but the third-row access and space were restricted mainly for children.

Interior storage was somewhat compromised by style over substance, with a small center bin and a TFT touchpad interface occupying space that could have been used for more practical storage. However, the cargo area showed smart design with a reversible load floor panel and hooks for securing bags. Behind the third row, the MDX could handle 18.1 cubic feet, expandable to 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4, seating five, offered more headroom and rear seat space compared to the Acura. With a moonroof, it provided 37.7 inches of front headroom and 39.5 inches in the rear, legroom measured at 41 inches in the front and 37.8 inches in the second row. The RAV4 was narrower in the back seat than competitors like the CR-V and Forester.

The 2023 RAV4 came equipped with functional storage solutions, including a glove compartment shelf, door pockets large enough for water bottles, and side-by-side front-row center cupholders. In terms of cargo, it provided 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and stretched to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, placing it combo in the middle of its class.

Acura's Digital Precision Cockpit in the 2023 MDX boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display, standard for luxury SUVs. However, Acura chose a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) over a touchscreen, controlled from the center console with accompanying buttons and a wrist rest pad.

The TTI, although well-intentioned, posed a learning curve contrary to widespread familiarity with touchscreens, while also consuming valuable center console space. Challenges with voice recognition further thwarted ease of use, although wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration alleviated some frustrations.

The system supported various modern features, including SiriusXM, native navigation, and AcuraLink connected services, offering a Wi-Fi hotspot for an extra fee. Audio enthusiasts appreciated the Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D sound system with 25 speakers, delivering impressive sound quality when using high-quality music files.

Toyota’s 2023 RAV4 introduced a revamped infotainment system with the latest software, OTA updates, and screen size upgrades—an 8.0-inch touchscreen for most trims and a 10.5-inch screen for Limited and TRD Off-Road. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now came standard, along with voice commands.

Our RAV4 Adventure tester, with the upgraded multimedia system, featured a premium 11-speaker JBL sound system. The standard 7-inch driver-information display could be upgraded to a 12.3-inch version, though not available for the Adventure trim.

The 2023 Acura MDX included a robust suite of safety features through AcuraWatch, comprising traffic sign recognition, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping and centering assist, adaptive cruise control with low-speed following capability, and Traffic Jam Assist. Additional safety included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system on higher trims.

While the newer AcuraWatch systems generally performed better, issues like lane departure warning sensitivity and adaptive cruise control resumption speed remained. An unsettling incident involved a false collision warning mistaking an overhead exit sign as an obstacle.

The 2023 MDX earned positive crash-test ratings, achieving a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and an overall 5-star rating from NHTSA but scored slightly lower in frontal-impact tests.

The Toyota RAV4 maintained comprehensive standard safety features including lane departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic LED high-beam headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Higher trims featured adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2023 RAV4 benefited from Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, enhancing all-speed radar cruise control. It excelled in IIHS safety evaluations, earning a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ rating, an improvement over the 2022 model's Top Safety Pick award.