2024 Acura MDX vs 2023 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Subaru Outback received a facelift that gave it a more aggressive appearance. It featured a redesigned front end with new LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding, creating the illusion of large air intakes. The addition of a jutting simulated skid plate, fog lights in oversized housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim reminiscent of the Wilderness model further enhanced its bold look. While these changes might not appeal to everyone, opting for a dark paint color could help tone down the design's excesses. The Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, complemented the cladding and was available with both the base and turbocharged powertrains, making it more accessible with a starting price of $33,495 for the non-turbo version.

Inside, the Outback Touring trim impressed with its Java Brown premium Nappa leather upholstery, contrasting beautifully with the black interior. The dashboard and door panels featured light gray contrast stitching, creating an upscale and cohesive look. Despite the use of hard plastic in some areas, the interior didn't feel cheap, and the flat, textured door sills served as practical steps for accessing the roof rack. However, the large infotainment screen and gloss black trim on the center console were prone to collecting dust and smudges.

The 2024 Acura MDX boasted a striking design with a large shield grille flanked by rakish headlights and accented by intake vents. The lower bumper area added a modern, refined presence. Inside, the MDX offered a high-tech but busy interior, with a bevy of controls on the center console that could be overwhelming. The MDX was available in several trims, including the Technology Package, A-Spec Package, and Advance Package, with the Type-S and Type-S Advance offering additional features. Standard features included tri-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, synthetic leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable front seats, and heated front seats.

The Technology Package added ambient cabin lighting, navigation, a 12-speaker ELS premium stereo system, and genuine leather upholstery. The A-Spec trim had a sportier personality with unique styling touches, an upgraded 16-speaker ELS audio system, perforated leather seats, and ventilated front seats. The Advance package provided a heated steering wheel, additional USB ports, remote start, and heated second-row seats. The Type-S Advance package, which we drove, included a top-end 26-speaker ELS sound system and massaging front seats, offering a luxurious and comfortable experience.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured horizontally opposed engines, known for their flat design, which helped reduce the vehicle's center of gravity for better handling. The standard engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, but our 3,781-pound test vehicle felt underpowered, especially during passing and climbing. The CVT made good use of the power at lower speeds, but the engine's fuel efficiency was disappointing, returning 25.6 mpg instead of the expected 28 mpg. The Outback XT models, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine producing 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, offered better performance but at the cost of fuel efficiency and a higher price.

The Outback's suspension tuning was spot-on, providing a firm ride at lower speeds and soaking up bumps at higher speeds. It handled reasonably well, with decent steering and capable brakes. The Active Torque Split AWD system and X-Mode traction system enhanced its off-road capabilities, making it a versatile choice for various terrains. However, the standard engine's lack of power and fuel economy were notable drawbacks.

The 2024 Acura MDX came with a standard 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 we drove offered strong acceleration and quick throttle delivery, making it a pleasure to drive in most situations. The adaptive air suspension and Brembo performance brakes contributed to its light and comfortable ride, while the Integrated Dynamics System allowed for various driving modes, including Sport and Comfort.

The MDX's natural habitat was the boulevard and highway, where it excelled in refinement and comfort. The steering had the weight and responsiveness of a luxury sedan, and the turning radius was tight enough for navigating busy parking lots. With a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, the MDX was a capable and versatile luxury SUV.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a purposeful roof rack, flat door sill trim, and a dashboard storage shelf. The Touring trim offered a comfortable interior with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and premium Nappa leather upholstery. The rear outboard seats were also heated, making it a cozy choice for colder climates. The Outback's spacious interior accommodated two adults and two teens comfortably, with ample legroom and storage options. The cargo space measured 32.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 75.6 cubic feet with the back seat folded down, providing plenty of room for luggage and gear.

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 and best suited for children. The 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 folded. The Type-S Advance test vehicle featured a second-row bench with a fold-down center console and integrated cupholders, providing a comfortable experience for passengers. The center console offered ample storage space, but the center stack of controls was cluttered and unintuitive.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, featured a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with physical controls for volume, tuning, and climate control. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and optional navigation and Harman Kardon audio system. While the system's usability had improved, the graphics and voice recognition were lacking. Additional technologies included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera, but a surround-view camera was not available.

The 2024 Acura MDX's infotainment system was its Achilles Heel, with a clumsy interface controlled by a touchpad. Despite the 12.3-inch display, the system was unintuitive and frustrating to use. However, the MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, satellite radio, HD radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The center console featured cleverly placed charging ports and a leather handrest for the touchpad, but the overall system detracted from the driving experience.

The 2023 Subaru Outback was equipped with Subaru's EyeSight system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-centering assist. The system also offered a new Automatic Emergency Steering feature and a Wide-Angle Mono Camera for better pedestrian and cyclist detection. The Outback earned top safety marks from the IIHS, but the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems were less impressive, with an artificial steering feel.

The 2024 Acura MDX came with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, 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 system and head-up display. The MDX earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and was a 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick+, but the infotainment system remained a distraction for drivers.