Compare the2022 Subaru AscentVS 2022 Acura MDX

The Ascent has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The MDX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Ascent. But it costs extra on the MDX.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Ascent’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The MDX doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Ascent and the MDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

There are over 2 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Ascent’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Ascent’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the MDX’s camshafts. If the MDX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru 24th in initial quality. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 26th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 20 places higher in reliability than Acura.

The Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 10 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 267) than the MDX’s 3.5 SOHC V6.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Ascent lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The MDX doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Ascent gets better mileage than the MDX:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Ascent uses regular unleaded gasoline. The MDX requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Ascent has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The MDX doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Ascent’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the MDX are solid, not vented.

The Ascent stops much shorter than the MDX:

The Ascent’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (54.2% to 45.8%) than the MDX’s (58% to 42%). This gives the Ascent more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the Ascent’s turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the MDX’s (38 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Ascent has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (8.7 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Ascent to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Ascent has standard seating for 8 passengers; the MDX can only carry 7.

The Ascent has 14.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the MDX (153.5 vs. 139.1).

The Ascent has 2.8 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more rear headroom, .1 inches more rear legroom, .1 inches more third row headroom, 2.6 inches more third row legroom, 5.3 inches more third row hip room and 2 inches more third row shoulder room than the MDX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Ascent’s middle and third row seats recline. The MDX’s third row seats don’t recline.

The engine in the Ascent is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the MDX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Ascent’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Ascent Base). The MDX doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its AcuraLink can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Ascent has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The MDX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Ascent’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The MDX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Subaru Ascent outsold the Acura MDX by 41% during 2020.