2023 Dodge Durango vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Acura MDX presented a sophisticated yet subtle design, especially in its Type S Ultra trim. This model was characterized by its chicane-design LED running lights and taillights, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a panoramic moonroof. The Type S Ultra trim featured quilted leather, aluminum interior trim, and a Sport Appearance package, which included a black headliner and stainless steel pedal covers. Despite its luxurious appeal, some design elements, such as the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, made it difficult to use certain controls. The MDX's electronic transmission switchgear also proved to be a point of confusion for some drivers.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Durango maintained a clean, almost car-like styling, avoiding the trend of oversized grilles. Its slim design, forward-leaning headlights, and signature "racetrack" taillights gave it a distinctive look. The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models featured unique styling elements, such as a Viper-like hood and unique wheels, but these were subtle. The Durango offered various appearance packages, including the Blacktop and Hemi Orange packages, allowing for customization. The interior, while not as distinctive as the exterior, provided a comfortable environment with materials suited to the price point, and higher trims offered luxurious features like Nappa leather upholstery and heated seats.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. This was a significant increase over the standard 3.5-litre V6, but the Type S also weighed more, impacting its performance. The engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which could direct up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel. Despite these enhancements, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive driving experience, with issues such as an indecisive transmission, lack of ride compliance, and poor brake pedal modulation. The fuel economy was also disappointing, averaging 13.9 litres per 100 kilometres during testing.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine producing 293 horsepower. The 5.7-litre Hemi V8, standard on the R/T trim, delivered 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The SRT 392 model featured a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with 475 horsepower, while the SRT Hellcat boasted a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 producing 710 horsepower. The Hellcat's performance was particularly impressive, with a 0 to 100 km/h time of approximately 3.5 seconds. Despite its size, the Durango Hellcat offered a thrilling driving experience, with minimal wind and tire noise at highway speeds and a satisfying supercharger whine and exhaust rumble.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seating, with the option to remove the centre section of the second-row seat for easier access to the third row. The interior featured a triple-zone automatic climate control system and 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, the seats were firm and didn't provide the expected support during enthusiastic driving. The MDX's cargo space was practical, with 461 litres available behind the third row, expanding to 2,021 litres with both rear rows folded. The power liftgate and underfloor storage bin added to its functionality.

The 2023 Dodge Durango was available in seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with second-row captain's chairs standard on higher trims. The interior space was competitive with other midsize SUVs, offering ample headroom and legroom across all three rows. The Durango provided 487 litres of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 2,409 litres with the rear seats folded. Small-item storage was generous, with a large wireless charging pad and well-placed USB ports. However, the lack of a power-folding third row was a drawback for higher trims.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display, operated via a True Touchpad Interface (TTI). While the TTI was intended to improve driver interaction, it proved less intuitive than traditional touchscreens. The MDX offered Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In, along with a 25-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system. A 10.5-inch head-up display was included with higher trims, although the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs.

The 2023 Dodge Durango's lower trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5. The system was responsive and user-friendly, with unique features for SRT models, such as a burnout-themed animation and Performance Pages app. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on higher trims, providing a premium audio experience.

The 2023 Acura MDX included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as a collision mitigation braking system, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, the lane-departure warning system's steering wheel wobble was less preferred, and the adaptive cruise control's speed resumption was slow. The MDX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, although it earned four stars in the frontal-impact test.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed safety ratings, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Marginal" score in the IIHS driver-side small overlap front test. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, but other driver-assist technologies were not standard across all trims.