2024 Subaru Crosstrek 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 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 it featured chicane-design LED running lights and taillights, LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and minor front styling modifications. The Type S had a subdued appearance with 21-inch wheels and quad exhaust outlets framing a rear diffuser panel. A panoramic sunroof was standard, and most models featured Iconic Drive ambient lighting themes. 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.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, though similar in appearance to the 2023 model, was a new car with new sheet metal, a new chassis, and new colors like Sun Blaze, Offshore Blue, and Sapphire Blue. The Wilderness trim level introduced an exclusive Geyser Blue paint job. The wheelbase and overall length remained nearly the same, but the new Crosstrek had a steeper departure angle and slightly reduced cargo space. Familiar shoppers with the second-generation Crosstrek likely noticed no dimensional differences when test-driving the 2024 model.

In its base trim, the 2024 Crosstrek arrived with 17-inch alloy wheels and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it suitable for off-road conditions. Roof rails were standard on Premium, Sport, and Limited trims, maintaining Subaru's outdoorsy look. The new headlights ran up against the wing bar that split the frameless grille, giving the front fascia a Cheshire cat look. The ample black plastic cladding protected each wheel arch, and the air inlets and outlets built into the cladding improved fuel efficiency and lowered road noise. The split taillight design carried over, allowing for wider trunk access. The Wilderness trim added unique design elements, increased ground clearance to 9.3 inches, and featured a ladder-style roof rack.

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, an increase over the standard 3.5-liter V6. However, the Type S 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 also featured an Integrated Dynamics System with Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, and an exclusive Lift mode to increase ground clearance from 7.3 inches to 9.4 inches.

Despite the performance enhancements, the MDX Type S fell short. The transmission was indecisive, the ride lacked compliance, and the brake pedal modulation was poor. The engine's power increase over the standard V6 was not substantial, making its dismal fuel economy harder to accept. On the evaluation route, the MDX Type S averaged 16.9 mpg, below the EPA rating of 19 mpg in combined driving. The turbocharged V6 sounded great when revved and delivered quick acceleration but guzzled fuel. The suspension transmitted sharper bumps into the cabin, and the 21-inch wheels seemed too big and heavy for the MDX's suspension. The Type S struggled as a driver's SUV, with the transmission sometimes confused in Sport mode and the brake pedal response inconsistent. The Continental self-sealing performance all-season tires squealed before losing grip, and the lack of suspension compliance and body roll made the MDX Type S feel disjointed.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek offered a 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder engine on the Sport and Limited trims, delivering 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. This engine was also standard on the Wilderness trim. The smaller 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, with 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque, was managed by a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Crosstrek was not a quick car, regardless of the engine choice. The CVT, however, was more pleasant and easier to live with than those in many other CVT-equipped crossovers. The Crosstrek Wilderness had a shorter final-drive ratio, improving acceleration and towing capacity to 3,500 pounds. The updated powertrains generated less vibration, and the steering feel was light but not sloppy, thanks to a new dual-pinion steering rack.

The Crosstrek's standard AWD and X-Mode traction management system enhanced its off-road capabilities. The X-Mode system, available in two grades, could sense when a wheel lost traction and divert power to the wheels with traction. Fuel economy was decent for a subcompact crossover with AWD, with the 2.0-liter engine achieving 27 mpg city, 34 highway, and 29 combined. The 2.5-liter engine achieved 26 city, 33 highway, and 29 combined, while the Crosstrek Wilderness achieved 25 city, 29 highway, and 27 combined. The 16.6-gallon fuel tank was a plus for long highway journeys.

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 ample 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 comfortable but did not hold the driver in place as well as expected. The MDX had seven-passenger seating, with the option to remove the center section of the second-row seat for a pass-through. The second-row seat was comfortable and supportive, with heating in the outboard positions. The third row was best for children due to limited space.

The MDX's interior style took precedence 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 had a decent amount of floor space and a sizable well under the reversible load floor panel. The MDX could carry 18.1 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row, 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, built on the Subaru Impreza’s platform, offered competitive cargo space and utility for a small, subcompact SUV. Rear-seat legroom and headroom were good, though very tall passengers might prefer the front seat. The Crosstrek had 19.9 cubic feet of trunk space, which was less than some competitors, but the 54.7 cubic feet of total cargo space with the second-row seats folded was closer to par. The interior materials were robust and easy to clean, with a protective cargo tray standard on the Premium trim and above. The Wilderness trim added Nalgene cupholders in the trunk and all-weather floor mats and cargo tray.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured 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 was not user-friendly, robbing the center console of storage space and partially blocking the wireless charging pad. The MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display (HUD) showing navigation instructions, driving assistance status, and more. The MDX had several sound systems, with the top-shelf Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D high-end audio system delivering clear, clean sound.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek featured an 11.6-inch vertically oriented touchscreen, standard on all but the Base trim. The display included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an optional wireless charging pad. The infotainment system had physical controls for temperature, defrosters, tuning, and volume, but suffered from glare in bright sunlight and required digging through menus to locate some features. In states with Right to Repair laws, Subaru removed features like remote start via the Subaru Starlink telematics app.

The 2023 Acura MDX included Acura Watch, a collection of driving assistance and collision avoidance systems. These 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 had good crash-test ratings, with the IIHS naming it a Top Safety Pick+ and the NHTSA giving it an overall five-star rating.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek had a history of Top Safety Pick designations from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The 2024 model included Subaru’s EyeSight safety system as standard equipment, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The 2024 EyeSight system had a wider-angle lens and included automatic emergency steering on cars with blind-spot monitoring.