2024 Acura MDX vs 2024 Toyota RAV4

The 2024 Acura MDX had a striking visual appeal that commanded attention. Acura perfected its design with a large shield grille flanked by rakish headlights. Emphasized with a pair of intake vents below the grille, the MDX presented a modern, refined presence from the first glance. Inside, the cabin was high-tech but bustling with controls. The center console, packed with buttons and dials, was initially overwhelming and not the most convenient to operate.

The 2024 Acura MDX came in several trims, referred to as packages, such as the Technology Package, A-Spec Package, and Advance Package. The Type-S and Type-S Advance trims brought a sportier and more luxurious experience. Standard features across the MDX lineup 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 level introduced a sportier appearance with unique styling touches, perforated leather seats, and an upgraded 16-speaker ELS audio system, while the Advance Package featured a heated steering wheel, additional USB ports, remote start, and heated second-row seats.

The new Type-S package incorporated features from both the Technology and A-Spec packages. The Type-S Advance package added a top-end 26-speaker ELS sound system and luxurious massaging front seats, making the MDX a comfortable and luxurious ride. The massaging seats especially stood out for their firm and refreshing massage, keeping drivers alert during long drives.

Contrasting the MDX, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 attempted to project toughness through its design. With an aggressive front fascia and lower gray body cladding, the RAV4 aimed to look perpetually rugged and ready for adventure. Our test vehicle, the TRD Off-Road model, exhibited Army Green exterior paint, which although not our favorite, emphasized its off-road intentions. Unlike the MDX, the RAV4 layered fake skid plates on upper trims and presented dual exhaust outlets hinting at a performance level it didn’t quite achieve.

The interior of the RAV4 prioritized practicality and utility. TRD Off-Road trim seats were upholstered in SofTex artificial leather, and the driver's seat had eight-way power adjustment. Features like a digital rearview mirror and advanced technology and weather packages offered enhancements like heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel, making the RAV4 ready for diverse conditions.

The 2024 Acura MDX featured a robust powertrain lineup. The standard engine was a 3.5-liter V6 delivering 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The Type S took performance up a notch with a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. Power was transmitted through a 10-speed automatic transmission to either front wheels or Acura’s available Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive System (AWD). Our test vehicle, the MDX Type-S Advance, excelled in acceleration and driving dynamics, though it remained a luxury SUV with refined power delivery.

The transmission was adept at managing power efficiently, ensuring throttle responsiveness. The Type-S trims included Brembo performance brakes and an adaptive air suspension, enhancing overall driving comfort and agility. Despite the MDX's roughly 4,500-pound weight, it handled corners with the poise of a luxury sedan. The MDX Type-S's versatile Integrated Dynamics System offered Sport, Comfort, Snow, and other driving modes, catering to varied driving conditions. Its towing capacity was impressive, maxing out at 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Conversely, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 packed less punch in the engine department. It equipped a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 184 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. The engine required revving to tap into its full potential. An eight-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels or an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The TRD Off-Road model came standard with AWD and off-road-specific features like exclusive suspension tuning and all-terrain tires.

The TRD Off-Road’s Multi-Terrain Select equipped the vehicle with Normal, Snow, Mud & Sand, and Rock & Dirt driving modes, though it shared the same 8.6 inches of ground clearance as other RAV4 models. Under challenging conditions, the TRD Off-Road fared better than its siblings but couldn’t match dedicated off-road vehicles like the 4Runner. Its off-road suspension enhanced daily driving comfort by smoothing over speed humps and rough pavement.

While the RAV4’s engine was loud and somewhat unrefined, the eight-speed automatic transmission and the engine’s renowned reliability were positives. Fuel economy for the TRD Off-Road was rated at 28 mpg in combined driving, while hybrid variants offered even better efficiency.

The 2024 Acura MDX offered practicality with three rows of seating, though the third row was best suited for children. Cargo space was generous with 16.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 71.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. Additional storage existed beneath the cargo load floor. Second-row passengers benefited from a bench with a fold-down armrest, enhancing comfort.

However, the center console of the MDX was cluttered with controls that took time to get accustomed to. The shifter consisted of a row of buttons, taking up unnecessary space, and further cluttered the center stack. The drive-mode selector was a large dial, adding to the already busy layout.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 focused on practicality, evident in its storage shelves, trays, and bins. With TRD Off-Road trim, the interior featured SofTex artificial leather upholstery, and the optional Weather package added heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, and rain-sensing wipers.

The RAV4's interior comfortably seated four adults, with a rear seat that, while somewhat low, offered adequate comfort through soft front seatbacks and ample legroom. The cargo area provided 37.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded down, making the RAV4 competitive in cargo capacity within its segment.

The 2024 Acura MDX struggled with its infotainment system. Despite boasting a 12.3-inch display, the non-touchscreen interface relied on a touchpad control that was unintuitive and cumbersome. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, along with satellite radio, HD radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The digital instrument panel and wireless device charging added to its tech-savvy features, though the overall user experience left much to be desired.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 featured the Toyota Audio Multimedia system with standard 8-inch and available 10.5-inch touchscreen displays. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and multiple connected services plans. Safety Connect and Service Connect were free for ten years, offering automatic collision notification and SOS emergency calling. The infotainment system was sophisticated but lacked a multi-panel Home screen and sometimes posed challenges when switching between applications. Nevertheless, it performed reliably and offered cloud-based navigation, digital voice assistant, and Wi-Fi connectivity through Drive Connect.

The 2024 Acura MDX came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Stepping up to the Technology and Advance packages added features like front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, and a head-up display. The MDX earned top safety scores, including a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and IIHS Top Safety Pick+ recognition, indicating its impressive safety credentials.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 included Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and more. However, the base LE trim lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. TSS 2.5 performed adequately but could be intrusive. Unfortunately, the RAV4 lost its IIHS Top Safety Pick award, scoring Marginal in the latest small overlap frontal-impact test and Acceptable in the side-impact test, reflecting the design's age.