Volvo XC90 Vs. Acura MDX: compare automobiles

The 2016 Acura MDX and the 2016 Volvo XC90 are each tremendous, seven-seat luxury utility cars. They demonstrate how a long way family unit crossover SUVs have developed from average SUVs, in design, refinement, and features, now not to mention lively defense, crash checking out, and on-highway habits.

The huge Volvo is new for 2016, while the MDX became first launched in 2014 but receives colossal updates for its third mannequin 12 months, including a new 9-pace automated transmission and extra energetic-safety points. every has earned a few of our maximum rankings among top rate SUVs. And the Acura is available in at $5,000 to $10,000 beneath the XC90 in lots of trim levels. So which is the correct one for you?

both vehicle will provide comfy lodging for as much as seven individuals. The MDX is a sportier drive, and it feels just a little extra spacious. The Volvo is greater on the luxury scale, regardless of a design it really is evolutionary and reserved even for the sensible Swedish brand. each are first rate purchases, however the Acura wins our evaluation simply since it receives the maximum marks from each safety organizations--whereas the NHTSA hasn't yet rated the XC90.

2016 Acura MDX - 2015 Chicago Auto reveal reside photos

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2016 Acura MDX - 2015 Chicago Auto reveal live pictures

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2016 Acura MDX - 2015 Chicago Auto show reside photographs

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The shape of the MDX is unchanged, carrying on with to resemble a recreation wagon greater than a slab-sided utility vehicle, primarily on the rear. The tapered roofline is an MDX hallmark, and the chevron-like chrome strip across the correct of the grille and jewel-eye LED headlights within the chiseled entrance conclusion distinguish it as an Acura.

whereas the exterior traces of the XC90 immediately say Volvo, it be crisper and greater fluid than its 15-yr-ancient predecessor. Its shape additionally with no trouble disguises the seven-seat car's size; the Volvo conveniently doesn't appear as big as it is. Nor does it telegraph its prestige; as one Volvo govt mentioned, the XC90 is a automobile for people who "don't seek a brand that defines them."

more: read our newest studies of the 2016 Acura MDX and 2016 Volvo XC90

inner, the front-end theme of the MDX is echoed through the sprint, which has a V-formed center stack and sloping, tiered design. The dash design complements the leisure of the cabin, and the materials used for interior trim are coordinated properly.

The MDX is roomy for its class, and the entrance seats are comfy, with sporty bolstering and enhanced than regular aid. the new push-button shifter is intuitive, and frees up considerable space on the core console.

As for the XC90, its luxurious is on full monitor in a widely-lauded interior that distinguishes it from a number of German rivals. The seats are superbly comfy, and the indoors shapes in stitched leather-based, textured steel, and matte wood are layered to imply Scandinavian furnishings. The 9-inch touchscreen monitor within the center of the sprint responds rapidly to pill-vogue instructions, and is pleasantly intuitive.

The Volvo's 2d-row seats slide ahead and backward, and the third row will accommodate two adults if they bargain for legroom with 2nd-row riders. Theater-vogue seating ability each and every row is slightly greater than the one in front, and outward vision is staggering —aided by means of significant home windows and the huge panoramic sunroof that's a typical feature.

The Acura MDX  is powered by a clean and sophisticated 290-horsepower three.5-liter V-6 engine that drives the front wheels via a brand new 9-pace automatic transmission. All-wheel pressure is optional. the brand new gearbox cuts 0-to-60-mph acceleration by half a 2nd, but it surely wasn't as smooth or seamless as we expected. And it does not improve gasoline economic system, which is still at 22 mpg mixed for front-wheel-pressure models and 21 mpg with AWD. The MDX remains some of the greater-managing gigantic SUVs we now have pushed, with a activity surroundings to quicken steering response, and a consolation atmosphere for lighter guidance feel.

the majority of Volvo XC90s will include a 316-hp turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-pace computerized transmission. All-wheel pressure is normal, and gasoline financial system is rated at 22 mpg. On the street, the XC90 handles like a automobile, with decent guidance feedback, predictable roadholding, and sprightly performance despite its small engine. A plug-in hybrid variant can run on its gas engine, on a 60-kilowatt (82-hp) electric powered motor on the rear axle, or on each together when crucial.

each vehicles get awesome protection rankings from the IIHS and have already been dubbed proper security choose+ winners. The Acura additionally receives the top five-famous person general rating from the NHTSA, but that agency has yet to verify the new XC90. both cars also have a full suite of electronic energetic-protection programs.

The MDX ranks better--incomes 8.8 features out of 10, towards the Volvo's 8.four--essentially for its third-row area and a price point just a little decrease than the now-luxury Volvo. The XC90 scores reduce on protection, now not because we don't predict it to be on the excellent of the ratings, but comfortably because it hasn't yet been confirmed through the NHTSA, whereas the MDX has.

within the conclusion, the Acura is a little bit less high priced, somewhat sportier, and a perennial favorite among top class seven-seaters. The Volvo is more high-priced and has a nicer interior, as well as a plug-in hybrid alternative. both one is a good choice, in our view, and which one you opt for can also come right down to balancing cost, luxury, and practicality.

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