2020 Acura MDX vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Acura MDX was a well-designed crossover SUV, though its styling was not particularly groundbreaking or attention-grabbing. It blended seamlessly into its surroundings, offering a sense of understated elegance without drawing undue attention. 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, creating an expressive face. The MDX's sleek and low-slung profile, combined with 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 high-quality materials that provided a solid and well-built feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Volvo XC90 successfully reshaped Volvo's image with its design, adding character while maintaining the brand's recognizable features. The XC90 retained Volvo's traditional boxy profile and blunt front end, but with softer lines and more chrome accents. The LED headlights with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights were a distinctive touch. The XC90 Inscription trim, with its extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest of the lineup. Inside, the XC90 embraced Swedish minimalism, offering thoughtfully arranged materials and a natural appearance with matte-finish wood trim. The interior featured unique touches like a wool upholstery option and an Orrefors crystal shifter, adding a touch of luxury to the otherwise restrained design.

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 standard all-wheel drive. Alternatively, the MDX Sport Hybrid combined a 3.0-litre V6 gasoline engine with three electric motors, delivering a total of 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque. The gasoline-only model, equipped with Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, provided impressive straight-line performance and nimble handling, thanks to torque-vectoring technology. The MDX's four-wheel independent suspension ensured a comfortable ride, making it a reliable companion for long journeys.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine added supercharging, increasing output to 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, or Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. While the XC90 offered ample power, the small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' larger engines. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and provided a quiet cabin experience. However, its towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms was lower than some competitors.

The 2020 Acura MDX provided a practical and spacious interior, making it an ideal choice for families. With sliding and reclining second-row seats, accessing the third row was convenient, and the ability to adjust legroom between rows added versatility. The MDX offered 447 litres of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 1,229 litres with the third row folded and 2,574 litres with both rear rows down. The interior featured ample storage options, including a flexible centre console, water-bottle pockets, and tri-zone climate control, ensuring comfort for all passengers.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered a choice between six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain's chairs or a bench seat. While headroom and legroom were average for the segment, the third-row space was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The XC90's interior felt spacious, thanks to an optional power sunroof and upright roof profile. The range-topping Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, but storage space was limited. Cargo capacity was 317 litres with all seats in place, expanding to 965 litres with the rear seats folded and 1,815 litres with both rear rows down.

The 2020 Acura MDX came equipped with a range of technology features, with trim levels simplified into packages. The base model included 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, navigation, and a premium audio system. The A-Spec Package included LED fog lights, heated and ventilated front seats, and 20-inch wheels. The Elite Package offered an Active Damper System suspension, surround-view camera, and a rear entertainment screen.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, known for its user-friendly design. The XC90 came standard with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display were available. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was intuitive to use, though some menus were difficult to read while driving. The XC90 also included a wireless charging pad, but it was not compatible with most phones.

The 2020 Acura MDX was equipped with AcuraWatch, a suite of safety features including 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 received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. The XC90 offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The NHTSA awarded the XC90 a five-star overall safety rating.