2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2022 Subaru Forester was available in several trims, including the base, Convenience, Touring, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Premier. Prices started at $29,495 MSRP for the base model, with the Premier trim reaching $40,595, plus a $1,800 destination charge. All-wheel drive was standard across the lineup. The Forester Wilderness, new for 2022, featured a white exterior, dark grey interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, and a base price of $38,995, including destination. The Wilderness model had a rugged appearance with a suspension lift, higher ride height, and massive protective cladding, giving it a distinctive look. Inside, the Forester emphasized functionality with a combination of hard plastic and soft surfaces, copper-coloured stitching, and an 8-inch Starlink infotainment system. While the Wilderness's exterior design was polarizing, the overall build quality and intuitive interior layout were appreciated.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered standard and Type S versions, with various trim packages enhancing equipment levels. In Canada, the standard MDX came with base, Tech, A-Spec, and Platinum Elite packages, while the Type S was available in standard or Ultra trim. Prices ranged from $59,300 to $84,400, excluding a $2,375 destination charge. The Type S Ultra trim, tested in the US equivalent, featured Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid interior, with an MSRP of $84,400. The MDX Type S had a subtle design with chicane-design LED lights, 21-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets. Inside, it boasted quilted leather, aluminum trim, and a Sport Appearance package. However, the body design sometimes appeared awkward, and the gloss black plastic on the dashboard made controls challenging to use. Despite these issues, the MDX Type S was a fundamentally attractive luxury SUV.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive, with the Wilderness model offering a 25% increase in initial torque supply. This allowed the Wilderness to double its towing capacity to 1,360 kilograms. The Forester's fuel consumption was rated at 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 9.1 L/100 km. The SUV excelled in various environments, including off-road courses and forest roads, thanks to its re-tuned suspension, dual-function X-Mode system, and improved ground clearance. However, the lack of a turbocharger limited its engine power, and wind noise was noticeable at higher speeds.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, generating 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. It used a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The MDX Type S had an Integrated Dynamics System with multiple driving modes, including an exclusive Lift mode for increased ground clearance. Despite performance enhancements, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive driving experience. The transmission was indecisive, the ride lacked compliance, and the brake pedal modulation was poor. The engine's power increase over the standard V6 was not substantial, and fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 13.9 litres per 100 kilometres during testing. The MDX Type S was more predictable in Normal mode but lacked the dynamic cohesion expected from a performance model.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit, tall seating hip points, and a practical interior. The StarTex upholstery was water-resistant, and the Wilderness trim included all-weather floor mats and a rubber cargo mat. The upgraded roof rails accommodated a dynamic load of 100 kilograms and a static load of 362 kilograms, suitable for a three-person roof tent. The Forester offered high comfort levels in both front and rear seats, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents. Cargo space measured 818 litres without the panoramic sunroof and 762 litres with it, expanding to 2,101 litres with the rear seats folded. The squared-off cargo area and new cargo hooks added to its practicality.

The 2023 Acura MDX provided three rows of seats, with options for two or three second-row seating positions. The Type S Ultra trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions, wrapped in quilted leather. However, the seats lacked the expected support for enthusiastic driving. The MDX offered seven-passenger seating, with a removable centre section in the second row for pass-through access. The third row was best suited for children due to limited space. The cabin prioritized style over storage, with limited space under the front centre armrest. The cargo area offered 461 litres of space behind the third row, expanding to 1,107 litres with the third row folded and 2,021 litres with both rear rows down. The hands-free liftgate with Walk Away Close function added convenience.

The 2022 Subaru Forester came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and Starlink connected services. Higher trims featured an 8-inch screen with available navigation and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Forester Wilderness included a 180-degree forward-view camera for off-roading. The test vehicle had both navigation and the Harman Kardon audio system, providing clear sound. However, the voice recognition system was inconsistent.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. The infotainment system used a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) on the centre console, accompanied by a padded wrist rest. The TTI design was intended to improve driver interaction but had flaws, including a lack of touchscreen functionality and limited storage space. The MDX offered Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In. The top-tier ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers delivered excellent sound quality. The Platinum Elite and Type S Ultra packages added a 10.5-inch head-up display, although the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, offering improved accuracy and smoother operation. It included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. The Forester also featured a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. Limited and Premier trims included DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for monitoring drowsiness and distraction. The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating.

The 2023 Acura MDX included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as collision mitigation braking, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed following. It also had rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Some trims added parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The MDX's safety systems generally operated with accuracy, but the lane departure warnings and adaptive cruise control had room for improvement. The MDX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.