2024 Acura MDX vs 2023 Mazda CX-30

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 presented a striking design with its long hood, dramatic flanks, and stubby rear end, giving it a nose-heavy appearance. Despite the excessive gray body cladding, which seemed to emphasize its SUV identity, the CX-30 maintained an artful and appealing design. The 2.5 Turbo's black wheels, however, were nearly invisible against the dark lower body. Inside, the CX-30 offered an upscale and elegant cabin, with quality materials and a tasteful combination of off-white leather, chocolate brown, and black accents in the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus model. This interior design contributed to its entry-level luxury SUV feel, justifying its premium pricing.

In contrast, the 2024 Acura MDX showcased a modern and refined exterior with a large shield grille, rakish headlights, and intake vents. The interior 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, including the Type-S Advance, which featured luxurious elements like massaging front seats and a 26-speaker ELS sound system. The MDX's cabin was comfortable and supportive in the first two rows, though the third row was smaller and best suited for children. Overall, the MDX exuded a luxury SUV vibe with its thoughtful design and premium features.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version delivering up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. The CX-30's six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD provided a smooth driving experience, though the powertrain could feel flat-footed in heavy traffic. The CX-30 excelled on twisty roads, thanks to its G-Vectoring Control Plus and responsive steering, but its small fuel tank limited its range. The suspension was compliant, but the front suspension struggled with speed bumps, impacting cabin comfort.

The 2024 Acura MDX featured a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine with 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the Type-S variant boasted a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. The MDX's 10-speed automatic transmission and available Super-Handling AWD provided strong acceleration and a comfortable ride. The adaptive air suspension and Brembo brakes enhanced its performance, allowing the MDX to handle corners with agility. The MDX's ride was firm yet comfortable, and its towing capacity reached up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered a comfortable driver's seat with an eight-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat had only four-way manual adjustment. Rear passengers had limited legroom, though the seatbacks were padded for comfort. The CX-30 provided 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 45.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Storage options included a center armrest bin, glove compartment, and door panel bins. The power liftgate was standard on higher trims, though the cargo area lacked additional storage features.

The 2024 Acura MDX came standard with three rows of seating, with the first two rows offering comfort and support. The third row was smaller, suitable 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 a maximum of 71.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down. The MDX featured a power liftgate, with a hands-free option available. The center console provided ample storage, though the center stack of controls was cluttered and unintuitive.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30's Mazda Connect infotainment system had several flaws, including the lack of a touchscreen display and conversational voice-recognition technology. The center console controls required frequent glances, and the steering-wheel controls were difficult to read. The system's voice recognition was only 50% effective, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available. The CX-30 featured an 8.8-inch display with pleasing graphics, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and a 14-speaker Bose sound system on Turbo models.

The 2024 Acura MDX's infotainment system was clumsy, with a 12.3-inch display controlled by a touchpad that was unintuitive. Despite this, the MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The center console cleverly integrated charging ports, though the touchpad's design detracted from the overall user experience. Acura's newer models, like the Integra, featured more intuitive touchscreen setups, suggesting potential improvements for future MDX models.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 excelled in safety, earning a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS. It featured adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-30's safety systems worked well, though the forward-collision warning could be overly sensitive.

The 2024 Acura MDX came with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Technology Package added parking sensors and reverse automatic emergency braking, while the Advance package included a 360-degree camera and head-up display. The MDX earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from IIHS, though the infotainment system remained a distraction.