2021 Toyota Venza vs 2020 Acura MDX

The 2020 Acura MDX was a well-designed crossover SUV, though its styling was not considered groundbreaking or particularly eye-catching. It blended seamlessly into its surroundings, neither drawing attention nor causing embarrassment to its driver. The MDX featured Acura's signature Jewel Eye LED headlights, which added a touch of sophistication to the vehicle's front end. These headlights, with their five LED elements per side, flanked a trapezoidal grille that bore the prominent Acura logo, creating an expressive face. The MDX's sleek and low-slung profile, combined with its chiseled details and flawless paint and chrome, contributed to its overall appeal. Inside, the MDX boasted a modern and simple design, with a centre stack featuring twin infotainment screens and a high-quality fit and finish that gave the vehicle a solid and well-built feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Venza was often likened to a Lexus in terms of its appearance, with a design that blurred the lines between the two brands. Its elongated profile and grille drew comparisons to the Lexus LF-1 Limitless concept. The Venza was available in three trim levels—LE, XLE, and Limited—and offered a choice of seven paint colours. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, automatic high beams, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The Venza's interior was unique, with premium appointments and a centre stack featuring piano black capacitive buttons for climate and infotainment controls. The deep centre console housed various features, including a wireless charging pad and heated and ventilated seat buttons. The Venza's cabin was spacious and comfortable, with ample headroom and a feeling of refinement that set it apart from the more rugged RAV4.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered two powertrain options: a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, and the MDX Sport Hybrid, which combined a 3.0-litre V6 gasoline engine with three electric motors for a total of 321 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque. The gasoline-only model, equipped with Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), delivered impressive straight-line performance and nimble handling, thanks to its torque-vectoring technology. This system directed power to the outside wheel during cornering, enhancing turn-in and overall handling. The MDX's four-wheel independent suspension provided a comfortable ride, making it a suitable choice for long journeys.

The 2021 Toyota Venza, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a lithium-ion battery pack and electric motors, delivering a combined 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid system, coupled with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (e-CVT), offered smooth acceleration, though it was not particularly rapid. The Venza's handling was confident, and its all-wheel-drive system ensured stability. The Venza excelled in fuel efficiency, achieving an estimated 5.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 6.4 on the highway, and 6.1 combined, making it a standout in its class. Toyota backed its hybrid powertrain with a 10-year/240,000-kilometre hybrid battery warranty and an eight-year/160,000-kilometre hybrid component warranty.

The 2020 Acura MDX was a practical choice for families, offering sliding and reclining second-row seats for easy access to the third row. It provided 447 litres of luggage space behind the third-row seats, which could be expanded to 1,229 litres with the third row folded flat. With the second row also folded, the MDX offered a generous 2,574 litres of cargo space. The interior featured ample storage options, including a large glove box, a flexible centre console, and various cupholders and storage bins. The MDX's tri-zone climate control allowed for separate heating and cooling options for the driver, front-seat passenger, and rear cabin positions.

The 2021 Toyota Venza, while not as spacious as some competitors, offered a comfortable and refined interior. It featured a unique cabin design with premium appointments and a deep centre console housing various features. The Venza's seating was comfortable for both front and rear passengers, with ample headroom and a feeling of spaciousness. While it had less cargo space than the RAV4, the Venza still offered 816 litres of cargo capacity, which was sufficient for daily driving needs. The quick-flip releases on the 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks made arranging the cargo space easy.

The 2020 Acura MDX came equipped with a range of technology features, including Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and an eight-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added features like front and rear parking sensors, on-board navigation, and a premium audio system. The A-Spec Package included additional tech features, such as LED fog lights and heated and ventilated front seats. The Technology Plus package offered further upgrades, including heated rear seats and an upgraded audio system. The Elite Package added an Active Damper System suspension, a surround-view camera, and a rear entertainment screen.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured an 8-inch infotainment system in the LE trim, while the XLE and Limited trims had a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen. The Entune infotainment system, though not the best in the industry, offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Venza XLE and Limited trims came with a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system. Toyota connected services, including Safety Connect and Remote Connect, were standard, providing features like roadside assistance and remote vehicle access. Dynamic navigation, available on models with the larger screen, used cloud-based technology for route guidance.

The 2020 Acura MDX was equipped with AcuraWatch, a suite of safety features that included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The MDX's body structure, designed to absorb impact energy, contributed to its safety ratings. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the MDX as "good" in all crash-test categories, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it a five-star overall safety rating.

The 2021 Toyota Venza came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included features like pre-collision warning, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard, with an upgrade to automatic braking available in higher trims. The Venza's safety features were effective and non-intrusive, though the lane-keeping assist tended to keep the vehicle slightly to the right within the lane. The IIHS rated the Venza as a Top Safety Pick, and the NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating.