2024 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Acura MDX presented a sophisticated yet understated design, especially in its Type S Ultra trim. This model featured a turbocharged engine and a luxurious interior with quilted leather and a panoramic moonroof. The exterior boasted chicane-design LED lights and 21-inch wheels, giving it a commanding presence. However, some design choices, like the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, made controls less intuitive. Despite its luxury appeal, certain elements, such as the electronic transmission switchgear, were not universally praised, and the body design occasionally gave the impression of a dented side profile.

In contrast, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, while similar in appearance to its predecessor, introduced new sheet metal and colours like Sun Blaze and Sapphire Blue. It maintained its compact dimensions but improved its departure angle and slightly reduced cargo space. The Crosstrek's design emphasized practicality with features like standard roof rails and black plastic cladding for protection. The front fascia had a distinctive look with LED headlights and a wing bar, while the rear retained the split taillight design for better trunk access. The Wilderness trim added rugged elements like a hexagonal grille and increased ground clearance, enhancing its adventurous appeal.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S stood out with its turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. This was a significant increase over the standard MDX's 3.5-litre V6. Despite these enhancements, the Type S's performance was hindered by its weight and an indecisive transmission. The Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system and adaptive air suspension offered various driving modes, but the overall experience lacked cohesion. Fuel economy was disappointing, with the Type S averaging 13.9 litres per 100 kilometres, falling short of official ratings. The Electro-Servo brake system and large wheels contributed to a less refined ride, making the standard MDX a more predictable choice.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and a 2.0-litre engine with 152 horsepower. The latter, tested in the Touring trim, was paired with a CVT, which Subaru had refined to minimize droning and rubber banding. The Crosstrek's performance was modest, but the CVT's simulated shift points provided a smoother experience. The Wilderness trim featured different gearing for better off-road capability and increased towing capacity. The Crosstrek's steering was improved with a dual-pinion rack, and the X-Mode traction management system enhanced its all-terrain performance. Fuel economy was reasonable, with estimates of 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city for the 2.0-litre engine.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered a spacious interior with three rows of seats and flexible second-row configurations. The Type S Ultra trim featured luxurious amenities like 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 spirited driving. The second-row seats were comfortable but lacked legroom in their rearmost position. The third row was best suited for children. The MDX's cargo area was practical, with 461 litres of space behind the third row and up to 2,021 litres with seats folded. However, the interior design prioritized style over storage, limiting available space for small items.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, built on the Impreza platform, offered competitive cargo space for a subcompact SUV. Rear-seat legroom and headroom were adequate, though taller passengers might prefer the front seats. The trunk provided 564 litres of space, expanding to 1,549 litres with the rear seats folded. The interior was designed with practicality in mind, featuring robust materials and thoughtful storage solutions like a centre console bin that accommodated large water bottles. The Crosstrek's design catered to outdoor enthusiasts, with features like a protective cargo tray and ample cupholders.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a Digital Precision Cockpit with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and infotainment display. However, the infotainment system relied on a True Touchpad Interface, which was less intuitive than traditional touchscreens. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In, but the native voice recognition was less effective. The MDX offered various sound systems, with the top-tier ELS Studio 3D audio system providing excellent sound quality. A head-up display was available with higher trims, though the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek boasted an 11.6-inch vertically oriented touchscreen, standard on all but the base trim. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a wireless charger available on higher trims. The Limited trim featured a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. While the Starlink technology was impressive, it suffered from glare in bright sunlight and required navigating through multiple menus for some features. The Crosstrek's infotainment system retained physical controls for essential functions, enhancing usability.

The 2023 Acura MDX included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as collision mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. It also offered rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The MDX received high safety ratings, with a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. However, the lane departure warning system's steering wheel wobble was less preferred, and the adaptive cruise control could be slow to resume speed.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek was expected to maintain its strong safety record, with previous models receiving a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The Crosstrek featured Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology, which included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The 2024 model introduced a wider-angle lens for EyeSight, enhancing its capabilities and adding automatic emergency steering for vehicles with blind-spot monitoring.