2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Acura MDX

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. With such a high price, Acura set expectations for quality, luxury, and driving dynamism, but in some respects, it missed the mark. The fourth-generation MDX was the first Acura SUV to wear the Type S badge, featuring chicane-design LED running lights and taillights, LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and 21-inch wheels. The Type S Advance added open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard, but some design choices, like the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, made it challenging to use some controls.

VW made subtle styling changes for the 2023 ID.4, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design. All wheel designs and colors were new for 2023, and the rear VW logo now lit up. While the ID.4 was easily distinguished as an EV compared to VW’s gasoline models, it lacked the upright profile and added ground clearance of traditional SUVs, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. However, this was a common trait among many current electric vehicles.

The ID.4 was based on VW’s MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs with built-in modularity to support various models. The interior carried over the best qualities from recent VW gasoline-car interiors, including a minimalist design and an overall feeling of quality. The base ID.4 Standard model, aside from a manual driver’s seat, didn’t seem like much of a downgrade from the higher-level ID.4 Pro S. Leatherette upholstery with seat and door-panel inserts made partly from recycled fibers were standard for 2023.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S was unique due to its engine. It employed a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 generating 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, 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. An Integrated Dynamics System provided Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, and the MDX Type S had an exclusive Lift mode to increase 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 didn't offer a substantial increase in power over the standard V6, making its dismal fuel economy harder to accept. On the evaluation route, the MDX Type S averaged 16.9 mpg, falling short of the official EPA rating of 19 mpg in combined driving.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models, available only with RWD. The Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus got the carryover 82-kWh pack, available with RWD or AWD. Single-motor RWD models were rated at 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD powertrain upped output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, allowing for zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds.

The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, improving acceleration and handling. The 62-kWh ID.4 Standard felt spritely during a short drive, but more seat time was needed for a proper comparison with the larger-battery RWD version. With AWD, the ID.4 had the acceleration to rival hot hatchbacks like VW’s Golf GTI and Golf R, but not the handling. The ID.4 allowed too much body roll to be truly entertaining on twisty roads, though it was comfortable and refined for long drives.

Acura packed plenty of functionality into the 2023 MDX, offering three rows of seats with a choice of two or three second-row seating positions, plus a cargo area with lots of usable floor space. The test vehicle had all available upgrades, including a triple-zone automatic climate control system and 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage. However, the firm driver's seat didn't hold occupants in place as well as expected when driving with enthusiasm.

Seven-passenger seating was standard, with the option to remove the center section of the second-row seat for a pass-through to the third row. The second-row seat slid forward and back to make more space for third-row passengers, but the rearmost position didn't supply as much legroom as expected. The third row was best for carrying children. The cargo area offered 18.1 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat.

The ID.4 lived up to its SUV billing with more interior space than other affordable EVs. It had more front-seat and rear-seat legroom than a Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf, and more headroom than the 2023 Kia Niro EV. With 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, the ID.4 had substantially more cargo space than most other entry-level EVs.

VW made small changes to the interior for 2023, including a conventional lid for the center console and a better spot for a phone. Three-zone climate control was now available, with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats. The ID.4 also offered some towing capability, with a quoted towing capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models.

Acura's Digital Precision Cockpit consisted of a configurable 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. However, the infotainment screen wasn't touch-sensitive, requiring the use of a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) located on the center console. The TTI design robbed the center console of space and partially blocked the wireless charging pad.

The MDX featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa Built-In, SiriusXM satellite radio, a native navigation system, and AcuraLink connected services. The test vehicle had the top-shelf Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D high-end audio system with 25 speakers, delivering clear, clean, distortion-free sound. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display (HUD) showing navigation instructions, driving assistance status, current vehicle speed, and the posted speed limit.

For 2023, the ID.4's formerly optional 12.0-inch touchscreen became standard on all models, replacing the 10.0-inch screen on lower trim levels. The infotainment system received software updates to improve responsiveness, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster also remained standard.

The ID.4's user interface included sharp graphics, a choice of smartphone-like icons or a traditional automotive split-screen view, and natural-language voice recognition. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel replaced conventional buttons, which could be distracting. The ID.4 also featured ID.Light, an ambient lighting system that changed color depending on the drive mode and provided visual navigation cues.

The MDX's traffic sign recognition system was part of Acura Watch, which included 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 included a blind-spot monitoring system and rear cross-traffic alert, with certain trim packages adding front and rear parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system.

The MDX earned good crash-test ratings, with the IIHS naming it a Top Safety Pick+ and the NHTSA giving it an overall five-star rating. However, the MDX earned four-star protection ratings for the driver and front passenger in the frontal-impact test.

The NHTSA gave the 2023 ID.4 a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover crash tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS’ highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating, with top scores in all crash tests and high ratings for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention.

The ID.4 included standard driver-assist features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear park distance control, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0. The ID.4 also added standard Park Assist Plus automated parking, an automated lane-change feature for Travel Assist, and a 360-degree camera system for 2023.