2024 Acura MDX vs 2023 Subaru Outback

People love crossover SUVs because they drive like cars but provide the utility of an SUV, and the Subaru Outback was one of the first modern crossovers when it went on sale almost 30 years ago.

Now, the 2023 Subaru Outback gets several updates. The improvements include fresh styling, new infotainment and safety technologies, and the Onyx Edition joins the Canadian line-up, which features blacked-out exterior trim and water-resistant upholstery.

These changes to the 2023 Outback build on the momentum established by the rugged Subaru Outback Wilderness, which debuted last year.

The Acura MDX is a mainstay of the luxury SUV segment, and it covers the bases remarkably well. Its well-rounded nature is perhaps because it shares a platform with the Honda Pilot (another fantastic family hauler) but for that same reason, it doesn’t offer the same cachet as a BMW X5 or Mercedes-Benz GLE. Whether you are on a road trip or heading to work, the MDX is comfortable, refined, and has space for the family and their gear. For 2024, there’s a new Type S Ultra trim level, bringing a new level of performance to the three-row, seven-passenger midsize luxury SUV. But as we’ll get into in a bit, the MDX is held back by a maddening infotainment system that could truly be a sticking point to overshadow all other positive attributes.

Verdict: The MDX is a beautiful, safe, and cost-effective luxury SUV, and the new Type S Ultra trim level delivers a higher level of performance. However, it doesn’t offer as much space as some of its competitors, and we wouldn’t recommend it to anyone easily frustrated by finnicky tech interfaces.