2024 Acura MDX vs 2023 Dodge Durango

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained a familiar yet attractive appearance. It eschewed the faux ruggedness of other brands, opting for clean, car-like styling. The Durango avoided the trend of oversized grilles, instead featuring slim styling with forward-leaning headlights and a large lower air intake, proving that SUVs could have presence without massive grilles. At the rear, Dodge's signature "racetrack" taillights provided a distinctive look. The muscular SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models had unique styling features, such as a Viper-like hood with a functional center air inlet and heat extractors, but these were subtle. The SRT models also had unique wheels and a different front fascia, but the shape remained similar to the standard front end. The interior, while not as distinctive as the exterior, offered a pleasant environment with materials suited to their price points. Higher trims like the Citadel added luxurious features such as Nappa leather upholstery and heated seats.

The 2024 Acura MDX presented a modern and refined presence with its large shield grille flanked by rakish headlights and accented by intake vents. The lower bumper area added to its contemporary look. Inside, the MDX was high-tech but busy, with a plethora of controls on the center console that could be overwhelming. The MDX was available in several trims, or "packages," including the Technology, A-Spec, and Advance Packages, as well as the Type-S and Type-S Advance. Standard features included tri-zone automatic climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, and a panoramic sunroof. The Technology Package added ambient lighting and navigation, while the A-Spec trim offered a sportier personality with unique styling touches and an upgraded audio system. The Advance package provided additional features like a heated steering wheel and remote start. The Type-S Advance package, which was driven for this review, included a top-end 26-speaker ELS sound system and massaging front seats, offering a luxurious and comfortable experience.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, standard on the SXT, GT, and Citadel trims, producing 293 horsepower (295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 pound-feet of torque. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional on most trims. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, standard on the R/T and optional on the Citadel, delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, providing a classic V8 rumble. The SRT 392 model boasted a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The SRT Hellcat took performance to another level with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, producing 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. Despite its size, the Durango Hellcat felt quick and agile, with minimal wind and tire noise at highway speeds. The adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero tires, and Brembo brakes made managing the power easy.

The 2024 Acura MDX featured a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine with 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The Type-S variant came with a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Type-S Advance, driven for this review, offered strong acceleration and quick throttle response, providing ample power for various driving situations. The adaptive air suspension and Brembo brakes contributed to a comfortable and agile ride. The Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) allowed drivers to select from multiple driving modes, including Sport, Comfort, and Snow, with the Sport mode lowering the ride height for improved handling. The MDX excelled on highways, offering a refined and comfortable ride, with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

The 2023 Dodge Durango was available in seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with front bucket seats, a second-row bench, and a third-row bench standard on SXT, GT, and R/T models. The Citadel, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat models featured second-row captain's chairs, which were optional on GT and R/T models. The Durango offered competitive interior space compared to other three-row midsize SUVs, with headroom and legroom similar to rivals like the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander. However, the Chevrolet Traverse offered more cargo space. The Durango provided 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 43.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.1 cubic feet behind the first row. Small-item storage was generous, with a large wireless charging pad and well-placed USB ports. The Durango's towing capacity was impressive, with V6 models capable of towing up to 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds.

The 2024 Acura MDX came standard with three rows of seating, with the first two rows offering comfort and support, while the third row was smaller and best suited for children. The MDX provided 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 39.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and a maximum of 71.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. An additional storage area was available under the cargo load floor. The MDX featured a power liftgate, with a hands-free option available on higher trims. The Type-S Advance test vehicle included a second-row bench with a fold-down center console and integrated cupholders, providing an individual-seat experience. The center console offered ample space for personal items, although the center stack of controls was cluttered and unintuitive, with a row of buttons for the shifter and a large dial for the IDS.

The 2023 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on SXT and GT models, while the Citadel and SRT models received a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both screens used the Uconnect infotainment system, with the larger screen featuring the current Uconnect 5 version. The system was responsive and user-friendly, with added personality in the form of Easter Eggs for SRT models. The Performance Pages app, available on SRT models, provided performance information such as timers and a g-force meter. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available with the Premium Package on the SRT Hellcat model.

The 2024 Acura MDX's infotainment system was its Achilles Heel, with a clumsy interface controlled by a touchpad rather than a touchscreen. Despite this, the MDX offered a range of features, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, satellite radio, HD radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The MDX also included multiple USB ports, a fully digital instrument panel, and wireless device charging. The center console cleverly housed charging ports behind a retractable pad, with a leather handrest for the touchpad. However, the unintuitive infotainment system detracted from the overall experience, making it less appealing compared to competitors with more user-friendly systems.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed results in safety tests. The IIHS awarded it top "Good" marks in moderate front overlap and side tests, but a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA gave the Durango a four-star overall safety rating, with five stars in the side crash test and four stars in the frontal crash test. RWD models received four stars in the rollover test, while AWD models received three stars. Standard driver-assist features were limited, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all trims, but forward collision warning and other features only standard on the Citadel or part of an option package.

The 2024 Acura MDX came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and more. The Technology Package added parking sensors and reverse automatic emergency braking, while the Advance package included a 360-degree camera system and a head-up display. The 2022 MDX, which the 2024 model carried over from, received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS, with a Superior score for crash-prevention technology. However, the infotainment system's touchpad interface posed a potential distraction for drivers.