2024 Acura MDX vs 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid marked a significant departure from its predecessors with a more assertive and truck-like design. It was longer and wider, giving it a muscular stance. The classic D-pillar taillights were updated to a modern three L-shape design, and the rear end appeared blockier, mimicking the bold front fascia. The Sport Touring trim, driven for this review, featured special Sport styling elements like black roof rails, mirrors, dual chrome exhaust finishers, and 19-inch wheels. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid followed the premium design direction seen in the 2022 Civic and 2023 HR-V, with high-quality materials and attractive contrast stitching.

In contrast, the 2024 Acura MDX showcased a refined and modern presence with its large shield grille, rakish headlights, and intake vents. The interior was high-tech but busy, with a bevy of controls in the center console. The MDX was available in several trims, 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 Type-S Advance, driven for this review, added a 26-speaker ELS sound system and massaging front seats, enhancing comfort and luxury.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid offered a simplified powertrain lineup, with either a turbocharged or hybrid setup. The hybrid powertrain combined a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a two-motor hybrid-electric system, producing 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. This made it the most powerful CR-V to date, capable of traveling up to 115 mph. The CR-V Hybrid also featured a new "B" shifter position for increased regenerative braking and a fourth drive mode, Snow, joining Sport, Normal, and Econ. The Real Time AWD system was updated to send up to 50% of engine torque to the rear wheels, and the CR-V Hybrid was rated for towing up to 1,000 lbs. Fuel efficiency was impressive, with the FWD Sport trim achieving 43 mpg city, 36 highway, and 40 combined.

The 2024 Acura MDX came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. The Type-S featured a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine with 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Type-S Advance, driven for this review, offered strong acceleration and a comfortable ride, thanks to its adaptive air suspension and Brembo performance brakes. The Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) included multiple drive modes, such as Sport, Sport+, Snow, Comfort, and Normal, as well as an Individual mode. The MDX's towing capacity maxed out at 5,000 pounds with AWD, while FWD models could tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid's larger exterior translated to more interior volume, with 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 76.5 cubic feet with them folded. Rear seat legroom increased to 41 inches, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The Sport Touring model featured a hands-free power tailgate, wide-opening rear doors, and an improved LATCH system for easy car seat installation. The interior boasted eight cupholders, a cubby for two smartphones, and best-in-class console storage.

The 2024 Acura MDX offered three rows of seating, with the first two rows being comfortable and supportive, while the third row was best suited for children. Cargo space measured 16.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 39.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 71.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The Type-S Advance model featured a fold-down center console with integrated cupholders in the second row, providing an individual-seat experience. The center console had ample storage space, but the center stack of controls was cluttered and unintuitive.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid catered to shoppers who preferred physical buttons for important functions. The standard 7-inch touchscreen display had physical volume and tuning knobs, while the 9-inch touchscreen on the Sport Touring trim had a volume knob and hard Seek buttons. Both Hybrid models featured two USB-A and two USB-C ports, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control, heated mirrors, and heated front seats. The Sport Touring trim added driver’s seat memory, a four-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, heated steering wheel, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Sirius XM, HD radio, Wi-Fi capability, a wireless charging pad, and a 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system.

The 2024 Acura MDX's infotainment system was its Achilles Heel. The 12.3-inch display atop the dash was controlled by a touchpad, which was unintuitive and clumsy. However, the MDX came standard with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. It also featured multiple USB ports, a fully digital instrument panel, and wireless device charging. The touchpad/charging pad packaging was cleverly designed, but the overall infotainment experience was lacking compared to competitors.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid came equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation, road-departure mitigation, and lane-keeping assist. New safety features for 2023 included traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, and low-speed braking control. The CR-V Hybrid also featured a blind-spot information system, cross-traffic monitor, parking sensors, rear-seat reminder, and rear seatbelt reminder. The CR-V had earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Acura MDX offered a comprehensive suite of high-tech driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, driver attention monitoring, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Technology Package added parking sensors and rain-sensing windshield wipers, while the Advance package included a 360-degree parking camera system and a head-up display. The 2022 MDX, which the 2024 model carried over from, earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS.