2024 Acura MDX vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2023 Subaru Forester, despite its unassuming exterior, offered a practical and functional design that had remained consistent over the years. Its Premier trim, with Cascade Green Silica paint, was reminiscent of past models, yet it stood out with its 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim. The Forester's design was utilitarian, with robust roof rails capable of supporting a tent, and an interior that featured brown leather, exposed stitching, and metallic accents. The cabin, though filled with hard plastics, was easy to clean and maintained a traditional Subaru layout with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. The Forester's appearance was busy, with a mix of grey and silver cladding, but its straightforward control layout made it user-friendly.

In contrast, the 2024 Acura MDX presented a modern and refined aesthetic with its large shield grille, rakish headlights, and intake vents. The interior was high-tech but cluttered, with a centre console filled with controls that could be overwhelming. The MDX was available in several trims, including the Type S Ultra, which featured a sporty flat-bottomed steering wheel, ambient lighting, and luxurious materials like open-pore wood inserts. The MDX's cabin was comfortable, with power-adjustable seats and a panoramic moonroof, but the abundance of controls detracted from its overall appeal. Despite its busy interior, the MDX's exterior design was sleek and contemporary, making it a standout in its class.

The 2023 Subaru Forester was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. The CVT featured eight programmed ratios, and the SI-Drive system offered a Sport mode for enhanced responsiveness. The Forester's X-Mode off-road traction control system, with hill descent control, was standard, and the Sport trim added Deep Snow and Mud settings. The Forester Premier, despite its modest power, handled well in adverse weather conditions, providing confidence and stability. Its driving dynamics were impressive, with light steering, responsive brakes, and excellent suspension tuning. However, the engine was noisy under acceleration, and the Forester's fuel economy fell short of expectations, returning 9.1 L/100 km compared to the official rating of 8.2 L/100 km.

The 2024 Acura MDX offered a more powerful performance with its standard 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. The Type S Ultra trim featured a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine with 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive System (SH-AWD). The MDX Type S Ultra delivered strong acceleration and a comfortable ride, thanks to its adaptive air suspension and Brembo performance brakes. The Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) offered multiple driving modes, including Sport+ and Lift mode for increased ground clearance. The MDX's double-wishbone front suspension provided a firm yet comfortable ride, and its steering was responsive, making it agile for its size. The MDX's towing capacity was 2,268 kg, adding to its versatility.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, offering a practical and spacious interior. The Touring trim included 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 high seating position and large windows provided excellent visibility, making it easy to drive and park. However, the panoramic sunroof lacked sufficient tinting, leading to solar heating in the cabin. The rear seats offered ample legroom and headroom, but the seat cushions could be more supportive. The Forester's cargo space was generous, with 762 litres behind the rear seats and 1,957 litres with the seats folded, making it suitable for various needs.

The 2024 Acura MDX featured three rows of seating, with the first two rows offering comfort and support. The third row was smaller and best suited for children. The MDX provided 512 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,367 litres with the seats folded, and a maximum of 2,690 litres with all seats down. The Type S Ultra trim included a second-row bench with a fold-down centre console and cupholders. The MDX's centre console offered ample storage, but the centre stack of controls was cluttered. The shifter was a row of buttons, and the IDS dial was large, taking up valuable space. Despite these drawbacks, the MDX's interior was well-equipped and versatile, with a hands-free power liftgate and additional storage under the cargo floor.

The 2023 Subaru Forester's technology appeared outdated at first glance, but it offered practical features. The Base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Starlink connected services. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system was available on higher trims. The Forester's user interface was straightforward, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use volume and tuning knobs. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for navigation and other tasks.

The 2024 Acura MDX's infotainment system was its weak point, with a 12.3-inch display controlled by a touchpad that was unintuitive and frustrating to use. Despite this, the MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The MDX also featured multiple USB ports, a digital instrument panel, and wireless charging. The centre console cleverly integrated charging ports and a handrest for the touchpad, but the overall system detracted from the MDX's appeal. Acura's newer models, like the Integra, offered more intuitive systems, highlighting the need for improvement in the MDX.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight system with updated software and cameras for improved performance. Standard adaptive cruise control and available blind-spot monitoring with Automatic Emergency Steering enhanced safety. The Rear Automatic Braking system, however, could be overly sensitive. The Forester's 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, though it showed some weaknesses in new tests.

The 2024 Acura MDX came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and more. The MDX also offered a surround-view camera and head-up display on higher trims. While the 2024 model hadn't been tested, the 2022 MDX received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Despite its strong safety credentials, the MDX's infotainment system could be a distraction for drivers.