2023 Honda CR-V vs 2023 Acura MDX

In 2023, the Honda CR-V underwent a substantial redesign, marking its sixth generation. This iteration featured a blunt nose, a long hood, and a stretched wheelbase, giving it a cleaner and slightly more aggressive look than its predecessor. Although it lost some of the personality seen in the fifth-generation CR-V, its more conservative styling was expected to age well. The CR-V EX and EX-L trims shared 18-inch alloy wheels in a multi-spoke design and dark-tinted rear privacy glass, presenting a uniform exterior appearance.

Inside the CR-V, there was a notable upgrade in materials and design, especially in the EX-L version, which offered leather-wrapped seats, steering wheel, and shift knob over the cloth upholstery standard in the EX. The dashboard design, borrowed from the latest Civic, featured metal mesh trim incorporating the air vents, creating a pleasing demarcation between the upper and lower portions of the dashboard. Both trims provided a high-quality, simple interior with a digital instrumentation display. The EX-L further enhanced user experience with a larger touchscreen infotainment system, additional features, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, front and rear parking sensors, and a power rear liftgate.

Price-wise, the CR-V EX started at $31,110 for the front-wheel-drive (FWD) version, reaching up to $35,260 for the all-wheel-drive (AWD) CR-V EX-L. Including a $1,245 destination charge, the well-equipped EX-L AWD with Radiant Red Metallic paint and Gray leather seats brought the MSRP to $36,900.

The 2023 Acura MDX, in its fourth generation, came in either standard or Type S versions, each available with various trim packages. The standard MDX offered base specifications with optional Technology, A-Spec, and Advance packages, while the Type S added a sportier flavor with a standard or Advance package. Prices ranged from $49,550 to $73,200, plus a $1,195 destination charge. Our test vehicle was a Type S Advance with Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid (white) interior, setting its MSRP at $74,995.

The MDX Type S bore subtlety and sophistication, featuring chicane-design LED running lights and taillights, LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, minor front styling modifications, and muted badges. A panoramic sunroof was standard, along with ambient lighting themes named after famous racetracks and drives. The Type S model stood out with perforated Milano leather, aluminum interior trim, a Sport Appearance package, a black headliner, and stainless steel pedal covers. The Type S Advance trim added open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard.

Despite its luxurious appeal, some design choices were questionable, such as the tapering body at the doors, which could appear as if the MDX had a massive dent from certain angles. Moreover, the gloss-black plastic on the dashboard made some controls harder to use.

In 2023, the Honda CR-V's EX and EX-L models housed a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, carried over from the previous generation. This engine delivered 190 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 179 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 rpm and 5,000 rpm. However, the engine's performance was somewhat marred by the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which powered either the front or all four wheels. During acceleration, such as merging onto a freeway or passing, the CVT's droning noise detracted from an otherwise enjoyable driving experience.

Nevertheless, the CR-V excelled in other performance aspects, with a well-tuned suspension, steering, and brakes providing a refined and dynamically satisfying driving experience. The SUV managed speed bumps, uneven roads, and tight corners effortlessly, offering a smooth ride and impressive handling. Its fuel economy was a standout feature, with an EPA rating of 29 mpg in combined driving and an achieved average of 29.1 mpg on a mountainous route.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S differentiated itself with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, generating 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. This was a significant upgrade from the standard 3.5-liter V6 engine. The Type S used a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system for enhanced driving dynamics, particularly in tight corners. Acura's brake-based Agile Handling Assist and various driving modes, including Sport and Sport+, contributed to the performance enhancements.

Despite these features, the MDX Type S struggled in cohesion. The vehicle's performance upgrades didn't work harmoniously, leading to a disconnect between driver and vehicle. Issues included an indecisive transmission, a lack of ride compliance, squealing tires, and poor brake modulation. The engine's power increase also seemed insufficient, especially given its poor fuel economy, which averaged 16.9 mpg in combined driving and 17 mpg in city driving, falling short of the official EPA rating.

While the MDX Type S exhibited structural solidity and handled bumps decently in Normal mode, the SUV struggled on mountainous routes, with transmission issues and an unsatisfying paddle shifter experience. Switching to Sport+ mode improved drivetrain performance but resulted in even more dismal fuel economy.

The 2023 Honda CR-V claimed to be the roomiest yet, though the 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat felt somewhat low, giving it a car-like feel rather than that of a high-riding SUV. The redesigned seats provided excellent comfort, with heated front seats as standard. However, ventilated front and heated rear seats were not available. The second row felt more spacious than the front, offering high seating, plenty of thigh support, and generous legroom, especially appreciated by adult passengers. Taller individuals might find headroom slightly limited, but the adjustable seatback resolves this to a degree.

Storage was a strong suit for the CR-V. The center armrest proved more spacious than those in rival models, door armrests featured small trays, additional storage bins were present, and a tray with an available wireless charging pad was situated forward of the shifter. Although most storage areas were lined with hard plastic, potentially causing noise, they still offered ample functionality. The power liftgate of the EX-L variant led to a cargo area offering 39.3 cubic feet of space with the floor panel dropped to its lowest position. Folding the backseat increased the cargo space to 76.5 cubic feet.

Acura's 2023 MDX prioritized functionality with its three-row seating, adjustable second-row configurations, and generous cargo space. The test vehicle’s Type S Advance trim featured all possible upgrades, such as a triple-zone automatic climate control system and 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Supple quilted leather upholstery and adjustable bolsters added to the luxury feel, although the seats’ firmness was notable during extended use.

The MDX accommodated seven passengers, with the option to remove the second-row center section for easier access to the third row or keep it as a fold-down armrest. Though the second row was adjustable, the rear legroom was less than expected when positioned backward. Additionally, third-row access was tight, making it suitable primarily for children.

Interior storage in the MDX was less impressive due to its styling focus. The center console and wireless charging pad were partly obstructed by the touchpad interface components and wrist rest, limiting storage space. However, the cargo area behind the third row offered 18.1 cubic feet, expanding to 39.1 cubic feet with the third-row seats down and a maximum of 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat. Practical features included a hands-free liftgate, a sizable underfloor storage bin, and hooks for securing grocery bags.

The 2023 CR-V featured a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel, aligning with its straightforward control layout. The EX trim had a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with large volume and tuning knobs, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX-L trim upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless charging, and an eight-speaker sound system. Although the EX-L lacked a tuning knob, the CR-V’s technology felt adequate for its price range, even if not groundbreaking.

The 2023 Acura MDX included a Digital Precision Cockpit with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a matching 12.3-inch infotainment display. Unfortunately, the infotainment screen was not touch-sensitive, requiring use of the True Touchpad Interface (TTI). Despite good intentions, the TTI system often felt counterproductive, taking up valuable console space and partially obstructing the wireless charging pad.

Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In provided modern connectivity, complemented by SiriusXM satellite radio, native navigation, and AcuraLink connected services with a three-year subscription for remote features. The Type S Advance added a 10.5-inch head-up display (HUD), although some safety features, like traffic sign recognition, had occasional inaccuracies.

The high-end Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers provided exceptional sound quality, albeit better with uncompressed music files than with satellite radio.

The 2023 Honda CR-V saw significant safety improvements, packaging these under the Honda Sensing umbrella. Included were adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward-collision warning, emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and automatic high beams. New additions embraced blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, seatbelt reminders, rear-seat reminders, driver monitoring, and traffic sign recognition systems. Traffic Jam Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering for low-speed situations. Built to the latest ACE body structure standards, Honda expected the new CR-V to perform well in collision tests, though the vehicle awaited retesting by NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2023 Acura MDX came with the Acura Watch suite, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping and lane-centering assists, adaptive cruise control with low-speed following, and Traffic Jam Assist. Additional features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system were available on higher trims.

While the Acura Watch systems were more refined than before, issues like the lane-departure warning and adaptive cruise control speed resumption detracted from the experience. A concerning incident occurred during testing, where the MDX mistook an overhead sign for an obstacle, resulting in a brief automatic brake activation. As a highlight, the MDX earned high crash-test ratings: IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+, and NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating, despite a four-star rating for frontal impact protection.