2024 Acura MDX vs 2023 Toyota RAV4

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was available in six trim levels, ranging from the budget-friendly RAV4 LE to the more luxurious RAV4 Limited, with off-road-oriented trims like the Adventure and TRD Off-Road in between. The Adventure trim, which we tested, featured a more aggressive grille design, blacked-out wheels, and additional black cladding around the wheel arches. Inside, it had orange accents on the seats and center console, adding a sporty touch to an otherwise basic interior. The RAV4 offered a mix of fabric and synthetic leather upholstery, with higher trims providing heated and ventilated seats, dual-zone climate control, and a frameless rearview mirror for a touch of premium feel.

The 2024 Acura MDX, on the other hand, showcased a modern and refined exterior with a large shield grille, rakish headlights, and intake vents. Inside, it was high-tech but busy, with a plethora of controls on the center console. The MDX was available in several trims, including the Technology, A-Spec, and Advance Packages, as well as the performance-oriented Type-S and Type-S Advance. Standard features included tri-zone climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, and a panoramic sunroof. Higher trims added ambient lighting, premium audio systems, and massaging front seats, making the MDX a luxurious and feature-rich SUV.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims came with AWD by default. While the RAV4's engine provided adequate power, it was not particularly exciting, and the noise levels were noticeable. The TRD Off-Road trim offered better off-road capabilities with its TRD-tuned suspension and all-terrain tires, while the Adventure trim was more of a rugged-looking variant without significant off-road enhancements.

The 2024 Acura MDX featured a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine with 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Type-S trim came with a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivering 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. The MDX offered strong acceleration, smooth power delivery, and a comfortable ride. The Type-S trims included Brembo performance brakes and an adaptive air suspension, enhancing both performance and comfort. The MDX's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system provided excellent traction and handling, making it a versatile and capable SUV.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 seated five passengers, offering 37.7 inches of headroom in the front and 39.5 inches in the rear with the moonroof. Legroom measured 41 inches in the front and 37.8 inches in the rear. The RAV4 provided 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It featured convenient storage options, including a shelf above the glove compartment and generous door pockets.

The 2024 Acura MDX came standard with three rows of seating, accommodating up to seven passengers. The first two rows were 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 third row folded, and 71.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The MDX also featured a power liftgate and additional storage under the cargo floor. The center console provided ample storage space, but the center stack of controls was cluttered and unintuitive.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard, and a 10.5-inch touchscreen for higher trims. The system supported over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Our RAV4 Adventure tester included an upgraded multimedia system with a 10.5-inch screen and an 11-speaker JBL audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version available on the Limited trim.

The 2024 Acura MDX's infotainment system was its weak point. The 12.3-inch display was controlled via a touchpad, which was unintuitive and cumbersome. However, the MDX came standard with wireless Apple CarPlay, 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. Despite the advanced features, the touchpad interface detracted from the overall user experience.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were also available. The RAV4 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, thanks to its strong crash-test performance and advanced safety systems.

The 2024 Acura MDX also offered a robust set of safety 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. Higher trims added parking sensors, reverse automatic emergency braking, a 360-degree 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+ award from IIHS.