2023 Mazda CX-50 vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 blended Mazda’s signature seductiveness with newfound ruggedness. Featuring a blunt nose, long hood, and a rakish windshield, the CX-50’s cabin was pulled back towards the rear wheels, creating an appealing and sporty aesthetic often seen in Mazda’s car and SUV lineup. However, the CX-50 distinguished itself with rugged characteristics, such as blistered and boxed fender swells, oversized air intakes, vent designs, and garish lower body and wheel arch cladding. These elements combined to bestow the CX-50 with an alluringly rugged personality that avoided crossing into unattractive territory.

When coupled with its standard black grille, mirror caps, and available 20-inch wheels, the design reached its pinnacle. Later in the model year, the CX-50 Meridian Edition with exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, splash guards, and a roof-mounted load platform that could handle a rooftop tent further diversified the appeal.

The interior of the top-tier CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus was equally captivating. Dressed in optional Zircon Sand Metallic paint, the test vehicle featured black leather with caramel-colored accent stitching adorning the seats, dashboard, and door panels. The Mazda CX-50’s interior maintained the automaker’s traditional driver-focused design, round analog and digital gauges, quality materials, and polished metallic trim. The layout was well-considered, with vertical air vents surrounding the instrument cluster and dashboard ends, though a small off-center vent in the middle of the dash seemed like an afterthought. Despite minor critiques, the new Mazda CX-50 emerged as a fantastic-looking compact crossover.

Conversely, the 2023 Acura MDX was offered in standard and Type S versions, each available with trim packages that upped the equipment level. It's Type S variant, distinguished by chicane-design LED running lights and taillights, LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and 21-inch wheels, epitomized subtle, well-crafted styling. The quad exhaust outlets around the rear diffuser added a youthful vibe, while the Apex Blue Pearl paint and luxurious Orchid interior of the test vehicle signaled its premium positioning.

Inside, the MDX impressed with a panoramic sunroof and Iconic Drive ambient lighting themes themed after famous racetracks and drives worldwide. The Type S variant featured perforated Milano leather, a black headliner, and stainless steel pedal covers, along with open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard in the Type S Advance trim. However, the body’s taper at the doors gave an illusion of massive dents from certain angles. Moreover, gloss black plastic parts on the dashboard complicated the usability of some controls. Despite these minor drawbacks, the 2023 Acura MDX Type S succeeded as a fundamentally attractive luxury SUV.

Mazda’s 2023 CX-50 was built with two distinct powertrains. The more affordable CX-50 2.5 S sported a 187 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 lb-ft of torque, connected to a six-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. Mazda projected that this engine configuration would achieve 27 mpg in combined driving.

For those seeking stronger acceleration and enhanced towing capability, the CX-50 2.5 Turbo was a viable choice. It featured a turbocharged version of the base engine delivering between 227 hp and 256 hp, depending on the fuel grade. The torque output varied from 310 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm on regular fuel to 320 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm on premium fuel. Despite an estimated combined mileage of 25 mpg, real-world performance saw around 23.4 mpg.

The CX-50 Turbo excelled in smooth and balanced acceleration across a broad power curve. It offered various driving modes like Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing, but differences between them were minimal. On the pavement, the CX-50 felt more like a taller Mazda6 wagon with Subaru Outback overtones, masking its crossover characteristics until disembarking from the vehicle. Even with a respectable 8.6 inches of ground clearance, its off-road abilities fell short of the Subaru Wilderness models on moderately challenging terrain.

Acura’s 2023 MDX Type S, distinguished by its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, produced an impressive 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, significantly surpassing the standard 3.5-liter V6 by 65 hp and 87 lb-ft of torque. This engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), capable of directing up to 70 percent of engine output to a single rear wheel.

Acura outfitted the MDX Type S with various performance enhancements, such as a solid front suspension stabilizer bar, Electro-Servo brake system, and larger brake rotors with Brembo calipers. Despite these efforts, the performance felt disjointed. Issues like transmission indecisiveness, poor brake pedal modulation, and a lack of ride compliance detracted from the driving experience. An unimpressive combined fuel economy of 16.9 mpg, falling short of the EPA rating of 19 mpg, further marred the experience. Though quicker and louder in aggressive driving, it ultimately felt less cohesive compared to other performance SUVs like the Audi SQ7 or BMW X5 M50i.

The interior of the 2023 Mazda CX-50 catered well to both comfort and functionality. It boasted features like power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a suite of climate controls to create a comfortable cabin environment in varying conditions. Ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control enhanced comfort on warmer days.

Front seats were comfortable for long journeys, though additional side bolstering would complement the CX-50’s handling prowess. The back seat offered adequate room for adults, with nearly all trims featuring rear air vents and charging ports. The nearly 90-degree rear door openings facilitated easy entry and exit.

Storage within the cabin was reasonably adequate, though Mazda missed opportunities for more innovative storage solutions. The center console included a dedicated slot for a smartphone charger, unlike the Mazda3 configuration. Cargo space was practical, with 31.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 56.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Acura MDX excelled in functionality, offering three rows of seating and a versatile cargo area. The test vehicle featured a luxurious interior with 16-way power-adjustable front seats, heating, ventilation, and massage functions, covered in quilted leather upholstery. However, the seats could have offered better support and envelopment for spirited driving.

Accommodating seven passengers, the second-row offered flexible configurations, including a removable center section. Though the second-row slide-and-tilt function facilitated better third-row access, it remained tight for adults. Conversely, the third row was best for children. Inside, style seemed to overshadow storage practicality, with limited and obstructed center console bin space.

The MDX offered generous cargo space, with 18.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows down. A sizable underfloor storage bin and hooks for grocery bags added convenience. The hands-free liftgate with Walk Away Close proved practical during family shopping trips.

Mazda equipped the 2023 CX-50 with the Mazda Connect infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services that included a WiFi hotspot, remote engine start, and automatic collision notification. Depending on the trim, the system came with either an 8.8-inch or a 10.25-inch display.

While most features worked well, the absence of full touchscreen functionality made the user interface somewhat frustrating. However, Mazda allowed touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the 2023 model, which was a step in the right direction. The optional 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system delivered satisfying audio quality.

The available Active Driving Display, or head-up display (HUD), provided crucial data within the driver’s line of sight, enhancing safety and convenience.

Acura's digital cockpit for the 2023 MDX consisted of a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. However, the lack of touchscreen function made the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) necessary. Though well-intentioned, the TTI was cumbersome, taking up console space and partially blocking the wireless charging pad.

Nevertheless, the infotainment system’s strengths lay in wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Amazon Alexa Built-in for easier voice-activated commands. A SiriusXM satellite radio, a native navigation system, and AcuraLink connected services further added to its arsenal. The top-tier Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D audio with 25 speakers impressed with its clarity and depth.

The Type S Advance included a 10.5-inch head-up display, though occasional misreading of traffic signs marred its reliability.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 promised to continue Mazda's tradition of high safety ratings, backed by a robust package of standard driving assistance systems. Exclusive features on the top trim included Traffic Jam Assist, active blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera.

Mazda’s adaptive cruise control did face issues in recognizing slower vehicles cutting into the gap ahead, necessitating manual intervention. Despite this, the overall safety features performed reliably.

Acura's MDX boasted a comprehensive AcuraWatch suite of safety features. This included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping and centering assist, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed following plus Traffic Jam Assist.

Additional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with certain trims offering front and rear parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. However, occasional false lane-departure warnings and a delayed resumption of set speed in adaptive cruise control were noted drawbacks. Furthermore, a troubling moment arose when the system mistook an overhead exit sign for an obstacle, triggering an unnecessary brake maneuver.

Despite this, the MDX boasted strong safety credentials, with a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four stars for frontal-impact protection.