2024 Mazda CX-90 vs 2023 Acura MDX

When looking at the 2023 Acura MDX, you’d find an SUV that came in both standard and Type S versions, each with their own available trim packages that increased the level of equipment. The standard MDX offered base, Technology, A-Spec, and Advance packages, while the Type S was available in either a standard specification or with an Advance package. Prices ranged from $49,550 to $73,200, plus a $1,195 destination charge.

Our test model, a Type S Advance, arrived in a luxurious Apex Blue Pearl paint with an Orchid (white) interior. This specific model had an MSRP of $74,995. With that high price, Acura set expectations for a top-tier luxury experience, albeit, in some areas, it missed the mark.

The MDX Type S represented the first fourth-generation Acura SUV to wear the Type S badge, with the "S" implying subtle changes that we considered wise. Key features included chicane-design LED running lights and taillights, standard LED headlights, and minor front styling modifications with muted badges. It rode on 21-inch wheels, and the rear was accented with quad exhaust outlets framing a rear diffuser panel.

A panoramic sunroof came standard, along with Iconic Drive ambient lighting themes. Inside, the Type S featured perforated Milano leather, aluminum interior trim, and a black headliner and stainless-steel pedal covers from the Sport Appearance package. The Type S Advance added open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard.

Despite its finer qualities, the MDX had its quirks. The body’s taper at the doors sometimes gave the impression of a massive dent, and the use of gloss black plastic on the dashboard made it challenging to locate controls. Furthermore, Acura's electronic transmission switchgear—first introduced in 2017—remained confusing.

By contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 showcased a bold and refined design. Mazda drew from the elegant aesthetics of its smaller models, like the CX-30 and CX-5, stretching the CX-90 over 200 inches to create an imposing appearance. Grand design elements such as the big grille, wide-set front, and sizable wheels (ranging from 19 to 21 inches) demanded attention. Tasteful chrome trim added a touch of sophistication.

Inside, the CX-90 amazed with a top-tier interior that could challenge luxury brands. High-end models featured brown suede upholstery on the dash, wood inlays filling the center console, and matte, rather than glossy, black plastic bits. Mid-level and lower-end trims also enjoyed stylish designs and comfortable layouts.

The CX-90 came in 11 trim levels across three powertrains. Lower trims included the CX-90 Turbo in Select, Preferred, Preferred Plus, Premium, and Premium Plus trims. There was also a PHEV version available in Preferred, Premium, and Premium Plus trims. The top-tier Turbo S, starting at over $50,000, catered to performance enthusiasts, offered in base, Premium, and Premium Plus trims.

In essence, the Mazda CX-90’s exterior and interior designs cohesively achieved elegance and luxury, while the MDX Type S—despite being attractive—suffered from some design inconsistencies.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S stood out with its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. This was a significant improvement over the standard 3.5-liter V6. However, the added power came with a weight increase of 285 pounds over the standard AWD MDX. The turbo V6 engine used a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, powering all four wheels via Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system.

The mechanical torque-vectoring AWD system could direct up to 70% of the engine’s power to a single rear wheel, enhancing cornering performance. Additionally, an Integrated Dynamics System offered various driving modes: Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+. Adding to this was a specific Lift mode exclusive to the Type S, allowing the adaptive air suspension to increase ground clearance to 9.4 inches.

However, the high-performing features didn’t always work in harmony. The MDX Type S suffered from an inconsistent transmission, poor ride compliance, tires that squealed too early, and brakes that lacked modulation. Fuel economy was also less than impressive, with the Type S averaging 16.9 mpg on a mixed driving route, below the EPA rating of 19 mpg in combined driving. The turbo V6 offered quick acceleration but drank fuel excessively.

Conversely, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 came with two new powertrains—a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option and two iterations of a turbocharged inline-six engine. We tested the Turbo S, which boosted the 3.3-liter I6 engine to 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque using premium fuel. All CX-90 models employed an eight-speed automatic transmission and had AWD as standard.

Driving modes—Normal, Sport, and Off-Road—offered different driving experiences. The Turbo S delivered a thrilling exhaust note, reminiscent of a high-performance vehicle. The PHEV combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a 17.8-kWh battery and 68-kW electric motor, resulting in 323 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. It managed a 26-mile all-electric range and 56 MPGe in combined driving.

In terms of driving dynamics, both CX-90 models exhibited brilliant cornering capabilities, underpinning Mazda’s reputation for making fun-to-drive cars. The inline-six engine’s performance felt cohesive and spirited compared to the MDX Type S’s disjointed driving experience.

The 2023 Acura MDX provided a versatile interior with three rows of seats, configurable for either seven or six passengers. Standard features included triple-zone automatic climate control and 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage. Despite these amenities, the firm driver’s seat failed to provide the expected enveloping comfort, especially for a sport-oriented model.

Second-row seats offered flexibility, able to slide forward for additional third-row space. However, even with the second-row slid back, the legroom fell short of expectations. The third-row was best suited for children due to its limited space. Though storage space within the cabin was aesthetically sacrificed for style, the cargo area was generous.

The MDX could store 18.1 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row, expanding to 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 also presented various seating configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers in lower trims and seven or six in mid to high-level trims. The Turbo S models could be configured for six or seven passengers, depending on the presence of captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Seven-seater models offered 14.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 40.0 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 74.2 cubic feet with all rows folded. Six-seater models slightly increased these numbers to 15.9, 40.1, and 75.2 cubic feet respectively.

While the MDX provided ample storage solutions, the CX-90 featured clever storage options, such as a sizeable center console, door pockets, and well-placed cupholders. Despite not being as spacious as some competitors, the CX-90 compensated with comfortable seating and a more usefully designed interior.

Acura’s 2023 MDX came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch non-touch-sensitive infotainment display. The True Touchpad Interface (TTI) was meant to simplify interaction, but proved cumbersome and distracting. Yet, advanced voice recognition capabilities via Amazon Alexa minimized this issue, despite the native system’s shortcomings.

Audio enthusiasts appreciated the Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D 25-speaker audio system, and additional infotainment features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display, although the traffic sign recognition was occasionally faulty.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-90’s infotainment was designed to reduce distraction but also ditched the touchscreen in favor of a rotary control knob and hard buttons. This well-intentioned system could be frustratingly intricate. However, personalization software using facial recognition to adjust settings added convenience. Also, while the rotary controller was problematic for Mazda's own systems, it worked seamlessly with touchscreen-capable Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured Acura Watch, a suite of standard advanced safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Other standard features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added front and rear parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. Although comprehensive, Acura Watch had occasional false readings and slow response times in adaptive cruise control.

For 2024, the Mazda CX-90 introduced i-Activsense, Mazda’s own comprehensive driver assistance system, as standard. It included features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, smart brake support, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe-exit warning. Higher trims offered cruising and traffic support for lane-centering and adaptive cruise functions. Although not yet crash-tested, it’s expected to perform well, given Mazda’s track record with the CX-9’s high safety ratings.