2024 Acura MDX vs 2023 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Subaru Outback underwent a facelift, featuring a new front end with redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding. This design gave the Outback an aggressive appearance, further enhanced by a jutting simulated skid plate, fog lights in oversized housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim reminiscent of the Wilderness model. The Outback's bold design was polarizing, but opting for a dark paint colour or the Onyx Edition with black wheels and trim could mitigate the design's excesses. The Limited trim, with its Cosmic Blue paint and Java Brown premium Nappa leather upholstery, offered a cohesive and upscale interior. Despite some hard plastic elements, the interior maintained a quality feel, with thoughtful details like light gray contrast stitching and practical features such as flat, textured door sills.

The 2024 Acura MDX boasted a striking design with a large shield grille flanked by rakish headlights and accented by intake vents. The lower bumper area added a modern, refined presence. Inside, the MDX was high-tech but busy, 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 heated steering wheel, ambient cabin lighting, and luxurious materials like open-pore wood inserts. The Type S Ultra also included a top-end 25-speaker ELS sound system and massaging front seats, offering a comfortable and refreshing experience on long drives. While the MDX's cabin might not match the opulence of a Mercedes-Benz GLS, its massaging seats were a standout feature.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured horizontally opposed engines, known for their flat design and characteristic grumble. The standard 2.5-litre engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT that mimicked an eight-speed automatic. While the Outback's AWD system and X-Mode traction system enhanced its off-road capabilities, the standard engine lacked power for passing and climbing. The turbocharged 2.4-litre engine in the XT models offered 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing better acceleration but at the cost of fuel efficiency. The Outback's suspension delivered a firm yet comfortable ride, and its handling was commendable, though the standard engine's performance was underwhelming.

The 2024 Acura MDX came with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, while the Type S Ultra featured a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 with 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. The 10-speed automatic transmission and SH-AWD system provided smooth power delivery and strong acceleration. The Type S Ultra's adaptive air suspension and Brembo brakes contributed to a comfortable and agile ride, with various drive modes for different conditions. The MDX excelled on highways and boulevards, offering a refined and sporty driving experience. Its towing capacity reached 2,268 kilograms, making it a versatile choice for those needing extra capability.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a purposeful roof rack, flat door sill trim, and a dashboard storage shelf. The Limited trim offered a comfortable interior with power-adjustable heated seats wrapped in premium Nappa leather. The Outback's spacious cabin accommodated four passengers comfortably, with ample legroom and storage options. Its cargo space measured 923 litres behind the rear seats and expanded to 2,141 litres with the seats folded. The Outback's design made it easy to enter and exit, and its robust roof rack was ready for adventure. However, more practical storage space in the cabin would have been appreciated.

The 2024 Acura MDX offered three rows of seating, with the first two rows providing comfort and support. The third row was smaller and best suited for children. Cargo space measured 512 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,367 litres with the rear seats folded, and a maximum of 2,690 litres with all seats down. The MDX included a hands-free power liftgate and additional storage under the cargo floor. The Type S Ultra's second-row bench featured a fold-down centre console with cupholders, and the centre stack of controls, while cluttered, offered various storage options. The shifter's button layout took some getting used to, but the overall interior design was practical and accommodating.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, featured an 11.6-inch Starlink touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Physical controls included volume and tuning knobs, while other functions were embedded in the touchscreen. The system offered subscription-based Starlink services, navigation, and a Harman Kardon audio system on higher trims. While the system's usability improved, the graphics and voice recognition left room for improvement. Additional technologies included a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera, though a surround-view camera was absent.

The 2024 Acura MDX's infotainment system was its Achilles Heel, with a 12.3-inch display controlled by a touchpad that was unintuitive. Despite this, the MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The MDX included multiple USB ports, a digital instrument panel, and wireless charging. Clever placement of charging ports and a leather handrest for the touchpad were thoughtful touches, but the overall system was cumbersome. Acura's newer models featured more intuitive touchscreens, suggesting a potential future improvement for the MDX.

The 2023 Subaru Outback was equipped with Subaru's EyeSight system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a new Automatic Emergency Steering system. The Outback earned top safety ratings from the IIHS, including in the new side-impact crash test. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems felt artificial, and the rear automatic braking system was incompatible with some driveways.

The 2024 Acura MDX featured a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. The MDX earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and was a 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick+. Despite its strong safety scores, the infotainment system's touchpad could be a distraction for drivers, taking their eyes off the road.