2023 Acura RDX vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2023 Subaru Forester maintained its traditional, utilitarian design, reminiscent of its predecessors over the past two decades. The Premier trim, with its Cascade Green Silica paint, was no exception, blending into the familiar landscape of green Foresters. Despite its boxy, two-box silhouette, the Premier trim stood out with its 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim, offering a touch of elegance. The Forester's robust roof rails were a practical feature, capable of supporting a tent or various sporting equipment. Inside, the Premier trim featured exclusive brown leather, exposed stitching, and metallic accents, maintaining Subaru's classic design with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. The interior was functional, with a mix of traditional buttons and knobs, making it user-friendly despite its busy appearance.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura RDX showcased a sharp, angular style that was unique yet conventional enough to blend in. The signature Acura grille, flanked by sleek wraparound headlights, gave the RDX a sporty and aggressive front. The side profile featured a distinctive character line, suggesting motion even when stationary, while the rear was more conventional. Inside, the RDX departed from the horizontal dashboard trend, opting for a vertical layout with a centre stack flowing into the console. The cockpit emphasized performance with gear-selector buttons and a drive-mode dial. The RDX's interior, though not as modern as some rivals, offered a familiar feel with its analog gauges and physical controls, appealing to those averse to digital cockpits.

The 2023 Subaru Forester was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that mimicked a traditional automatic. The Forester's SI-Drive system offered a Sport mode for enhanced responsiveness, while the X-Mode off-road traction control system, with hill descent control, was standard. The Forester Wilderness trim added all-terrain tires for improved off-road capability. During testing, the Forester Premier handled adverse weather conditions with ease, showcasing its confidence-inspiring driving dynamics. Despite its adequate powertrain, the Forester's excellent suspension tuning, light steering, and effective brakes provided a comfortable and engaging ride. However, the Forester's fuel economy fell short of expectations, and a turbocharged or hybrid option would be a welcome addition.

The 2023 Acura RDX featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The RDX's standard all-wheel-drive system, known as "super-handling all-wheel drive" (SH-AWD), provided ample traction and confidence-inspiring handling. The RDX accelerated to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, with a responsive throttle and a pleasing engine sound. The transmission efficiently selected gears, while the brake pedal offered reassuring firmness. The RDX's adaptive dampers on the Platinum Elite A-Spec trim ensured a sporty yet comfortable ride, smoothing over road imperfections with ease. The RDX's performance, combined with its easy-to-drive nature, made it an attractive option for many shoppers.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, offering a practical and user-friendly interior. The Touring trim provided features like a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. Higher trims offered StarTex artificial leather or genuine leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and heated rear seats. The Forester's excellent outward visibility, thanks to its tall glass and thin pillars, made it easy to drive and park. However, the panoramic sunroof's lack of tinting could lead to solar heating, and the rear seats lacked comfort for taller adults. The Forester's well-sealed doors and ample interior storage added to its practicality. The cargo area offered 762 litres of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,957 litres with the seats folded, providing average capacity for the segment.

The 2023 Acura RDX offered generous front seat space, with additional power adjustments in the top trim. The standard heated and ventilated front seats, along with a heated steering wheel and dual-zone climate control, enhanced comfort. The rear seats accommodated average-sized adults, though taller passengers might find headroom limited. The RDX's cargo area provided 835 litres of space, with a deep bin under the floor for wet gear. Folding the rear seats expanded capacity to 1,668 litres, with remote seatback levers for easy transformation. Front passengers had ample storage options, though the centre stack's design took up unnecessary space.

The 2023 Subaru Forester's technology appeared outdated at first glance, but its user-friendly setup was a highlight. The Base trim featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. An 8-inch display with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system was available. The Forester's older Starlink infotainment system, with separate climate controls and physical knobs, was simple and appealing. However, the voice-recognition system was nearly useless, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto a better choice for navigation.

The 2023 Acura RDX's infotainment system used a touchpad controller, which was challenging to use, especially while driving. The dashtop display was not a touchscreen, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto improved the experience. The system featured sharp graphics and quick responses, but the interface remained one of the least user-friendly. Standard features included Bluetooth, SiriusXM, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 16-speaker ELS Studio audio system.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight system with updated software and cameras for improved performance. Adaptive cruise control was standard, and higher trims added Automatic Emergency Steering. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all but the Base trim. The Rear Automatic Braking system was prone to false alarms, and the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System was exclusive to higher trims. The Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Acura RDX received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and parking sensors. The Platinum Elite A-Spec package added a surround-view camera and head-up display. The systems worked well, with smooth adaptive cruise control and effective collision warnings.