2023 Acura MDX vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2023 Acura MDX was available in standard and Type S versions, each with various 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. 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 on the side. The gloss black plastic on the dashboard also made it challenging to find and use some controls. Despite these nit-picks, the MDX Type S was fundamentally an attractive luxury SUV.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban had a long history, stretching back 90 years, making it a common sight on the roads despite its massive size. At 18 feet 10 inches long and over six feet tall, the Suburban was not for everyone, especially those in urban areas. However, it was ideal for those needing cargo space, passenger space, and towing capacity. Chevrolet sold the Suburban in six trims: LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country, with prices increasing as you climbed the trim ladder. The Suburban LS came standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, while the High Country rode on 22-inch alloys.

Even the top trims offered options that were expected to be standard, like power running-board steps and a panoramic power moonroof. Inside, the Suburban offered a comfortable cabin with plenty of space. Cloth seats were standard on the LS trim, while leather upholstery was available on higher trims. The Premier and High Country trims could be fitted with beautiful brown leather interiors. The test vehicle came with a heated steering wheel, three-stage heat and ventilation for the front seats, and tri-zone automatic climate control. However, even the top-spec Suburban felt surprisingly pedestrian on the inside, with supportive but not overly comfortable seats for long road trips.

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. This was an increase 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 system could put up to 70 percent of total engine output to a single rear wheel, enhancing cornering performance.

The MDX Type S featured an Integrated Dynamics System with Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, along with a Lift mode to increase ground clearance. However, the performance upgrades did not gel into a cohesive whole. The MDX Type S had issues with its transmission, ride compliance, squealing tires, and brake pedal modulation. The engine did not 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 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: two V8s and a straight-six diesel. The 5.3-liter V8 engine, standard on the LS, LT, Z71, RST, and Premier trims, produced 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 8,300 pounds with the Max Trailering Package. The upgrade engine, available on the Z71, RST, Premier, and High Country trims, was a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The third engine option was a Duramax 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder, producing 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, offering better fuel economy and lower cost on the High Country trim.

The diesel engine was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission with decisive shift points, making the Suburban surprisingly easy to drive despite its size. The transmission employed an electronic button-style shift mechanism, freeing up extra space in the center console. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) was standard on every Suburban except the off-road-focused Z71 trim, which came with four-wheel drive (4WD). The Suburban's steering and brakes were up to the task, and the height-adjustable air suspension handled rough roads well. However, drivers should expect some body roll and brake earlier due to the vehicle's 6,000-pound weight.

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 plenty 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, but the driver's seat felt firm and did not hold the driver in place as well as expected. Seven-passenger seating was standard, with a removable center section in the second row for easier third-row access.

The MDX's third row was best for children, as it was a tight squeeze for adults. The cabin prioritized style over storage space, with a small bin under the front center armrest and a touchpad interface that took up valuable space. 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 Type S Advance had a hands-free liftgate with a Walk Away Close function, making it convenient for loading and unloading cargo.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 93.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat. This made it ideal for families needing ample cargo space for road trips. The Suburban also came standard with a 28-gallon fuel tank, allowing for long stretches of highway driving between fill-ups, especially with the diesel engine's 26-mpg highway rating.

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 space and partially blocked the wireless charging pad. The MDX also featured wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In, allowing for voice commands and familiar digital assistant functions.

The MDX's infotainment system included SiriusXM satellite radio, a native navigation system, and AcuraLink connected services with a complimentary three-year subscription. The test vehicle had the top-shelf Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D 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, and current vehicle speed. However, the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs, leading to incorrect speed limit displays.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban came with a 10.2-inch touchscreen on all but the base LS trim, which had an 8-inch screen. The infotainment system featured Google Built-in, allowing access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store without needing to pair a phone. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were also included. The test vehicle had a rear-seat entertainment system with twin touchscreens, a $1,995 option worth the cost for long trips.

The Suburban's 10-speaker Bose audio system lacked the richness of higher speaker count systems, making it less satisfying for audiophiles. For a better audio experience, the Ford Expedition's 22-speaker B&O stereo or the Jeep Wagoneer's 19-speaker McIntosh system were recommended.

The 2023 Acura MDX included Acura Watch, a collection of driving assistance and collision avoidance systems. These features included 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 received good crash-test ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and an overall five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, it received four-star protection ratings for the driver and front passenger in the frontal-impact test.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall crash safety rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal crash tests, five in side-crash tests, and three in rollover tests. The Suburban included advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, front and rear park assist, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, and Chevy’s Teen Driver feature.

The Premier and High Country trims could be equipped with Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving tech that managed speed, steering, and lane changes on pre-mapped roads. Super Cruise cost an extra $4,825 on the Premier trim and $2,700 on the High Country trim, with a subscription fee of $25 per month or $250 per year to activate.