2023 Acura MDX vs 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2023 Acura MDX’s allure lay in its versatility and aesthetic appeal. Shoppers could choose between the standard and Type S versions, with each offering various trim packages: Technology, A-Spec, and Advance packages for the standard MDX, and a standard spec or Advance package for the MDX Type S. Prices hovered between $49,550 and $73,200, plus a destination charge.

Our test model, the Type S Advance, sported an eye-catching Apex Blue Pearl paint with an Orchid (white) interior, bringing its MSRP to $74,995. The high price came with high expectations for luxury, quality, and dynamic driving performance. Notably, this fourth-generation MDX was the first Acura SUV to bear the Type S badge, characterized by subtlety rather than ostentation.

Exterior design elements included chicane-design LED running lights and taillights, as well as LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. The front's muted styling and badges maintained a subdued yet sophisticated look, while 21-inch wheels provided a formidable stance. Quad exhaust outlets and a rear diffuser accentuated the sporty yet elegant design.

Inside, all MDX models featured a panoramic sunroof and ambient lighting themes dubbed Iconic Drive, inspired by famous racetracks. The Type S variant boasted perforated Milano leather, aluminum trims, a Sport Appearance package, and stainless steel pedal covers. The Type S Advance included open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard. Despite its overall pleasant appearance, certain design features, such as the body taper at the doors and gloss black plastic on the dashboard, detracted slightly from usability and aesthetic coherence.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport mirrored the updated styling of the three-row Atlas, focusing on new lighting elements. The logos on the grille and tailgate lit up in white and red, respectively, a design element borrowed from the all-electric VW ID.4.

The front and rear lighting elements were more intricate for 2024. The front boasted a connecting light bar between the daytime running lights and standard LED headlights, yielding a distinctly Americanized appearance. Built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Cross Sport was also designed specifically for the U.S. market.

At the rear, reshaped taillights merged into a rear light bar, echoing the illuminated VW logo. The Cross Sport’s silhouette, lower roofline, and overall shorter and lower profile gave it a stylish look akin to German luxury crossover coupes. New wheel designs across all trims included 18-inch alloy wheels for the base SE, 20-inch wheels for the SE with Technology and SEL models, and 21-inch wheels for the SEL Premium R-Line, which also featured sporty styling nuances.

Inside, the 2024 Cross Sport carried forward the interior reconfigurations of the standard Atlas. The central touchscreen was more prominent, and the center console had been raised to create additional storage space. The materials used in the cabin varied, from standard leatherette upholstery to quilted leather with a diamond pattern on the top-tier trims, aiming to enhance the luxurious feel, albeit with room for improvement in material quality.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S was distinguished by its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. This was a significant boost of 65 hp and 87 lb-ft over the standard 3.5-liter V6. Coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, the MDX Type S employed Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), which could channel up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel.

Dynamic enhancements included a solid front suspension stabilizer bar, an Electro-Servo brake system with larger 14.3-inch front brake rotors, and upgraded Brembo front calipers. The adaptive air suspension offered various driving modes, including an exclusive Lift mode to augment ground clearance to 9.4 inches.

However, performance gains did not seamlessly integrate. Issues included an indecisive transmission, lack of ride compliance, tire squealing, and suboptimal brake pedal modulation. Fuel efficiency was also a concern, with the test vehicle averaging 16.9 mpg, falling short of the EPA’s rated 19 mpg in combined driving.

Given its myriad performance features, the MDX Type S often felt fragmented in its execution. For those who enjoy spirited driving, the standard MDX with the A-Spec package remained a preferable and more predictable choice.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport transitioned to a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine across all trims, signaling the end of the era for VW’s 3.6-liter VR6. The new engine generated 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, delivering peak torque at a lower 1,550 rpm, as opposed to the VR6’s 3,600 rpm. Though slightly less powerful in horsepower, the turbo-four promised improved acceleration from zero to 60 mph compared to its predecessor.

The new engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, available with standard front-wheel drive or optional 4Motion all-wheel drive. Despite the power and efficiency gains, the engine’s noise levels were noticeable, often betraying how hard it was working.

Performance-wise, the Cross Sport didn’t impress as a thrill ride. Despite the 'Sport' in its name, it was among the less engaging vehicles to drive. The ride quality, partly affected by the large 21-inch wheels on the test vehicle, also left room for improvement.

In terms of towing capacity, the Cross Sport maintained a maximum of 5,000 pounds, except for the base SE model, which was rated at 2,000 pounds. While competitive, it lagged behind rivals like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, capable of towing up to 6,200 pounds with its base V6.

The 2023 Acura MDX excelled in interior functionality, offering three rows of seating, configurable second-row options, and a spacious cargo area. Triple-zone automatic climate control and 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage were standard in the Type S Advance trim. Despite the high level of adjustability, the seats felt firm and didn’t envelop the driver as expected during spirited driving.

Standard seven-passenger seating could be modified by removing the center section of the second row or folding it down to form an armrest. The third-row access was facilitated by power-operated release buttons, though it was tight and not adult-friendly. Storage within the cabin prioritized style over practicality, with some missed opportunities for additional stowage space due to design choices.

Cargo capacity was notable, with 18.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows down. The hands-free liftgate featured a Walk Away Close function, a thoughtful addition for ease of use.

The 2024 Atlas Cross Sport saw increased standard equipment and improved functionality. The base SE trim included heated side mirrors, two-zone automatic climate control, and a heated steering wheel. Front seats, now ventilated, added to the comfort, while higher trims received standard leather upholstery and heated second-row seats.

While front headroom was competitive, the sloping roofline compromised rear-seat headroom. Legroom remained competitive, and the cargo space was generous with 40.3 cubic feet behind the split-folding rear bench and 77.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down, offering substantial capacity for a midsize crossover.

The center console revisions provided ample storage, and door pockets were designed to secure bottles effectively. Overall, the Cross Sport's interior changes enhanced practicality and user-friendliness.

Acura’s Digital Precision Cockpit featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. The infotainment system, however, was not touchscreen and required the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) for operation, accompanied by physical buttons and a wrist rest.

Key technology included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In, though using the native voice recognition system proved frustrating. A top-tier ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers provided an exceptional audio experience, especially with high-quality music files.

The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display (HUD), showing essential driving information. However, the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs, such as mistaking a 65 mph sign for 85 mph.

The updated 2024 Atlas Cross Sport featured a 12-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard, alongside wireless phone charging. While the screens were intuitive, the haptic touchpads for controls were less user-friendly due to the lack of physical feedback.

Up to six USB-C ports were available, with a new USB-C dash cam port added for 2024. The SEL trim included a standard head-up display, and a Harman Kardon audio system replaced the Fender system on the highest trims, enhancing the audio experience with 12 speakers.

AcuraWatch, the suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, Traffic Jam Assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and optional front and rear parking sensors and surround-view camera.

Despite generally accurate functionality, the lane departure warning system's steering wheel wobble could be annoying, and false alerts were possible. A notable incident occurred with the collision warning system mistakenly identifying an overhead exit sign as an obstacle, causing a brief brake intervention.

The 2023 MDX earned excellent crash-test ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA.

Like the three-row model, the 2024 Atlas Cross Sport received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in side-impact crash tests and commendable ratings in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS hadn't rated the 2024 model, but its structurally similar 2023 counterpart fared well in most tests, aside from a “Marginal” rating in the updated moderate overlap front test.

The IQ.Drive package was now standard, offering forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and Travel Assist. Higher trims added predictive adaptive cruise control, park assist, and a surround-view camera system. The post-collision braking and emergency assist features rounded out the comprehensive safety suite.