Compare the2023 Acura MDXVS 2023 Subaru Ascent

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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The Acura MDX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Ascent doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The MDX has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Ascent Premium/Limited/Touring offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the MDX has standard Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Ascent Premium/Limited/Touring offers rear cross-path warning.

Both the MDX and the Ascent 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 all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Acura MDX is safer than the Subaru Ascent:

	MDX	Ascent
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	226 lbs.	274 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	168 lbs.	346 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	18 inches
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	52 G’s
Hip Force	424 lbs.	637 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Acura MDX is safer than the Ascent:

	MDX	Ascent
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	134 lbs.	178 lbs.
Neck Compression	67 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.71 in	.83 in
Shoulder Force	156 lbs.	201 lbs.
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	602 lbs.	915 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	171	211
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	134 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.75 in	1.26 in
Shoulder Force	290 lbs.	357 lbs.
Torso Deflection Rate	8 MPH	9 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the MDX is 1.9% less likely to roll over than the Ascent.

Warranty

The MDX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Ascent’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the MDX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Subaru covers the Ascent. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Ascent ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the MDX for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Acura will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Ascent.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the MDX’s reliability 20 points higher than the Ascent.

Engine

The MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 30 more horsepower (290 vs. 260) than the Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 95 more horsepower (355 vs. 260) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 277) than the Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Acura MDX is faster than the Subaru Ascent:

	MDX V6	MDX Type S	Ascent
Zero to 30 MPH	3 sec	2 sec	3.3 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	5.4 sec	8 sec
Quarter Mile	15.8 sec	14 sec	16.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	92 MPH	101 MPH	88 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the MDX’s fuel efficiency. The Ascent doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the MDX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Ascent doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The MDX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Ascent doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Acura MDX higher (5 out of 10) than the Subaru Ascent (3). This means the MDX produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Ascent every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the MDX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Ascent:

	MDX	MDX Type S	Ascent
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	14.3 inches	13.1 inches

The MDX stops shorter than the Ascent:

	MDX	Ascent
70 to 0 MPH	170 feet	178 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the MDX has larger standard tires than the Ascent (255/55R19 vs. 245/60R18). The MDX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Ascent (275/40R21 vs. 245/60R18).

The MDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Ascent’s standard 60 series tires. The MDX Type S’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Ascent Onyx/Limited/Touring’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the MDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Ascent. The MDX Type S’ 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Ascent Onyx/Limited/Touring.

The MDX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Ascent doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the MDX can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Ascent doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

The MDX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Ascent’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The MDX Type S has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The MDX’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Ascent doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the MDX is 3.3 inches wider in the front and 3.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Ascent.

The MDX Type S handles at .87 G’s, while the Ascent Limited pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the MDX Type S has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Ascent (9.4 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the MDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The MDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Ascent doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the MDX Type S is quieter than the Ascent Touring (36 vs. 40 dB).

Passenger Space

The MDX has 1.6 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room and .3 inches more rear hip room than the Ascent.

Cargo Capacity

The MDX’s cargo area provides more volume than the Ascent.

	MDX	Ascent
Behind Third Seat	18.1 cubic feet	17.8 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	48.4 cubic feet	43.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	95 cubic feet	75.6 cubic feet

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the MDX Advance’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Ascent doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The MDX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Ascent’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The MDX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Ascent uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Subaru. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 19% lower rating, Subaru is ranked 16th.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat in the Ascent Limited/Touring, the MDX offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The MDX’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Ascent doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The MDX Advance has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and incoming text message readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Ascent doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The MDX’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Ascent’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the MDX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Ascent can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The MDX’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Ascent’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Consumer Reports rated the MDX’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Ascent’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The MDX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the Ascent Premium/Limited/Touring.

When the MDX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Ascent’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The MDX Type S Advance has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Ascent.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura MDX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Ascent.

Model Availability

The MDX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Ascent doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Acura MDX and the Subaru Ascent, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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