2024 Mazda CX-30 vs 2023 Acura MDX

When shopping for a new 2023 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 cues 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, and the gloss black plastic on the dashboard made some controls challenging to use. Despite these nit-picks, the MDX Type S was fundamentally an attractive luxury SUV.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 aimed to ensure it wasn't mistaken for a car, with excessive charcoal-colored plastic coating the lower portions of the body. Despite this, the CX-30 was appealing overall, with short overhangs, a long and low hood, dramatically sculpted flanks, a squat greenhouse, and a rakish roofline. The test car arrived in 2.5 Carbon Turbo trim with Zircon Sand paint over Terracotta and Black interior upholstery, bringing the MSRP to $34,210, including destination. The interior looked and felt like a class above, with style, refinement, and attention to detail on par with an entry-level luxury-branded SUV.

The CX-30 featured gauges that were a model of clarity, an infotainment screen that nestled into the dashboard, and dual-zone climate controls that were a work of art. There were eight versions of the 2024 CX-30, with the 2.5 S models having a standard 191-horsepower four-cylinder engine, while the 2.5 Turbo models boasted a turbocharged four-cylinder good for up to 250 hp. Prices ranged from $24,995 to $36,800, plus a destination charge of $1,420.

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 of torque 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, and an exclusive Lift mode that increased ground clearance from 7.3 inches to 9.4 inches. However, the performance upgrades didn't gel into a cohesive whole, with issues like an indecisive transmission, lack of ride compliance, squealing tires, and poor brake pedal modulation. The MDX Type S averaged 16.9 mpg on the evaluation route, falling short of the EPA rating of 19 mpg in combined driving. The turbocharged V6 sounded great when revved but guzzled fuel like a big V8.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30, with its turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, had no trouble in the acceleration department. Despite its 250 hp and 320 pound-feet of torque (227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas), the CX-30 didn't leap forward when the accelerator pedal was stomped. The torque arrived no sooner than 2,000 rpm, and Mazda tuned the powertrain response for a slow build. The CX-30 employed a traditional six-speed automatic transmission, and the standard AWD system shipped power to all four wheels.

Fuel economy was not the turbocharged engine’s forte, with the EPA rating it at 25 mpg in combined driving, but the test vehicle observed 21.3 mpg on the mountainous evaluation route. The CX-30's small 12.7-gallon fuel tank limited its range to about 270 miles. The CX-30 was fun to drive, with a firm, connected ride, and excellent outward visibility. It tackled back roads with enthusiasm and competence, and with standard AWD, an Off-Road traction assist setting, and eight inches of ground clearance, it could handle more challenging trails than some competitors.

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, 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 its rearmost position did not supply as much legroom as expected. The third row was best for carrying children.

The MDX's cargo area was practical, with a decent amount of floor space and a sizable well underneath the reversible load floor panel. It could carry 18.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, 39.1 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded down, 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.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 featured deft design, quality materials, and logical controls. The interior room was cramped, especially in the back seat, but the driver and front passenger were comfortable. The power-adjustable driver’s seat made it easy to find a perfect position behind the steering wheel, and both front seats were heated. Storage space was adequate, with a cargo volume of 20.2 cubic feet behind the back seat, which could be expanded to 45.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded down.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. However, the infotainment screen wasn't 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 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.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 Turbo models got a new 10.25-inch infotainment display with touchscreen functionality when using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the screen was located far from the driver and front passenger. The CX-30 featured a complimentary three-year subscription to Mazda Connected Services, in-vehicle Wi-Fi, two USB-C ports, a wireless smartphone charger, and a Bose premium audio system.

The 2023 Acura MDX's safety features 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. It also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The MDX earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 added new standard features like blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and a rear-seat alert system. It also included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered adaptive headlights, front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera system, and a Cruising and Traffic Support system. The CX-30 earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.