2023 Volvo XC40 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. Despite the high price, the MDX Type S set different 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, and the S stood for subtlety. The Type S featured chicane-design LED running lights and taillights, LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and minor front styling modifications. It had 21-inch wheels, quad exhaust outlets, and a rear diffuser panel. Inside, the Type S featured perforated Milano leather, aluminum interior trim, and a Sport Appearance package. The Type S Advance added open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard. However, the body tapering at the doors could make it look like the MDX had a massive dent, and the gloss black plastic on the dashboard made some controls challenging to use.

The Volvo XC40 had been around for a few years but remained distinctive, combining Volvo’s design language with a flat-roofed profile. The XC40 boasted a clean exterior without extraneous detailing, and models with gasoline engines had hidden tailpipes. For 2023, Volvo updated the exterior styling with new pixelated “Thor’s Hammer” headlights, a more angular front bumper, and new wheel designs. The XC40 shared Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform with the Volvo C40 Recharge and Polestar 2 electric vehicles, making it the only CMA-based model sold in the U.S. with a combustion engine.

The interior maintained a minimalist design with thin air vents framing the central touchscreen and scalloped elements housing the door handles and speaker grilles. Dual-zone automatic climate control was standard, with an optional air purifier. Leather upholstery was available, with vegan leather for Recharge models. The XC40 Ultimate test vehicle had a panoramic moonroof and an Orrefors crystal shift knob, but the all-black interior seemed designed for Stockholm taxi service. Fit and finish were good, but the materials reminded that the XC40 was Volvo’s entry-level model.

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, and you could feel the system at work when accelerating hard out of a corner or tight curve.

An Integrated Dynamics System provided Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes. The MDX Type S had an exclusive Lift mode that increased ground clearance from the standard 7.3 inches to 9.4 inches. However, the 21-inch wheels and 275/40 all-season performance tires were not ideal for off-roading. Other Type S exclusives included a solid front suspension stabilizer bar, an Electro-Servo brake system, and larger 14.3-inch front brake rotors with upgraded Brembo front calipers. Despite these enhancements, the MDX Type S fell short as the performance upgrades did not gel into a cohesive whole. The transmission was indecisive, the ride lacked compliance, and the brake pedal modulation was poor. The engine did not offer a substantial increase in power over the standard V6, making its dismal fuel economy harder to accept.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 saw a big change under the hood with the introduction of mild-hybrid powertrains. These added a 48-volt electrical system and a 13-horsepower integrated starter generator, which assisted the gasoline engine and allowed for more use of the engine start/stop system to improve fuel economy. Volvo offered two versions of this setup in the 2023 XC40. The base B4 powertrain teamed the mild-hybrid system with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 197 hp and 221 pound-feet of torque. B5 models got a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo-four rated at 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard with both powertrains, with the B4 being FWD-only and the B5 AWD-only.

Volvo claimed B4 and B5 models could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds and 6.1 seconds, respectively. The B5 test car felt reasonably quick, although the accelerator pedal required extra initial pressure, making smooth starts tricky. The combination of electric assist and turbo boost meant there was always plenty of power on tap. The XC40 was electronically limited to a top speed of 112 mph for safety. The XC40 handled corners with composure and absorbed bumps well, giving it a charming calmness. The XC40 Recharge added more power with its two electric motors producing a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, achieving an EPA-rated 223-mile range and a maximum towing capacity of 4,409 pounds.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered 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. The seats were wrapped in quilted leather upholstery, and the power-adjustable steering wheel had a heated rim. However, the driver's seat was firm and did not hold you 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 did not supply as much legroom as expected. The third row was best for carrying children. The cabin prioritized style over storage space, with a small bin under the front center armrest and a touchpad interface that blocked the wireless charging pad. 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 Volvo XC40 was reasonably spacious among its competitive set. It tied with the redesigned 2023 BMW X1 for most rear-seat headroom, while front-seat headroom was only a fraction of an inch behind the leading Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class. Legroom in both rows was about average, but a generous amount of shoulder room contributed to a greater feeling of spaciousness. Volvo listed 20 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 46.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, less than the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. A power tailgate was standard, along with keyless entry on Plus and Ultimate models.

The XC40 offered good interior storage with scalloped door panels that created large carve-outs for bottles or handbags. The center console storage bin and phone tray were also fairly large considering the interior’s overall dimensions.

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 was not touch-sensitive and required 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 infotainment system included 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 test vehicle had the Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D high-end audio system with 25 speakers, delivering clear and 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. However, the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs, leading to incorrect speed limit displays.

For 2023, gasoline XC40 models got the Android-based infotainment system introduced on the XC40 Recharge. This system used Google apps, with Google Maps for navigation and Google Assistant for voice recognition. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 9-inch touchscreen were standard. The B5 Ultimate test vehicle had a 13-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system with an air-ventilated subwoofer and USB-C ports for each row. The infotainment experience was similar to other Volvo models with the Android operating system, with pleasing graphics but a lack of analog controls. The touchscreen was used for most functions, including activating the steering wheel and driver’s seat heaters and selecting driver-assist features.

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 had a blind-spot monitoring system and rear cross-traffic alert. Certain trim packages added 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.

Volvo built its reputation on safety, and the XC40 reflected that with standard lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, Oncoming Lane Mitigation, traffic sign recognition, rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. Upgrading to the XC40 Plus added front parking sensors, while the Ultimate grade added side parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control, and Pilot Assist. The IIHS gave the 2023 XC40 top “Good” ratings in most crash tests but an “Acceptable” rating in the updated side-impact test. The NHTSA awarded the gasoline 2023 XC40 a five-star overall safety rating.