2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2025 Acura MDX

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid presented a sporty exterior with its black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim, though its interior was relatively basic. The Sport-L Hybrid offered an upgrade with leather-lined interiors, while the Sport Touring Hybrid topped the lineup with a more sophisticated cabin. Our test vehicle, a Sport Touring Hybrid, featured Canyon River Blue paint and a price tag of $41,175, including destination charges. The CR-V's conservative styling, with a technical face and tusks framing the lower air intake, was not universally appealing, but the rear quarter view offered an upscale appearance. Inside, the CR-V Sport Touring boasted leather seats with orange contrast stitching and numerous quality details, such as a soft-touch dashboard and metal mesh air vent covers, contributing to a sense of sophistication.

In contrast, the 2025 Acura MDX underwent minor styling updates, including a new grille and revised bumpers, which enhanced its visual presence. The interior saw more significant changes with the introduction of a new touchscreen infotainment system, replacing the previous touchpad interface. The MDX Advance and A-Spec Advance trims received seats from the Type S model, while the Type S itself got a new seat design. Acura improved cabin quietness with added sound insulation and acoustic laminated glass. The MDX maintained its reputation for quality, though the gloss black plastic trim on the dashboard was prone to collecting dust and smudges. The controls were logically placed, and the new A-Spec Advance trim blended luxury with a sportier look, with our test vehicle priced at $69,950, including destination charges.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a fourth-generation two-motor hybrid drive system, combining a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. This setup delivered 204 horsepower to either the front or all four wheels, with an EPA rating of 37 mpg in combined driving. However, during testing on a mountainous loop, the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid achieved only 32.4 mpg. The hybrid system operated transparently, with the only noticeable quirks being the low-speed electric vehicle noise and engine droning on hills. The CR-V offered a compliant ride and predictable handling, though the steering effort was unusually heavy. While it was easy to drive and had hints of fun, it wasn't designed for off-roading or spirited driving.

The 2025 Acura MDX, known for its performance-oriented design, offered a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided good power for the midsize SUV. The MDX featured multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, Snow, and Individual, with the Sport mode offering the best powertrain response. However, using Sport mode frequently reduced fuel economy, with the A-Spec Advance trim achieving 18.4 mpg during testing. The MDX handled twisty roads confidently, though it allowed some body roll. It offered a smooth and comfortable ride in typical driving situations, with swift acceleration for merging onto highways. While not designed for off-roading, the MDX provided a satisfying driving experience for commuting and road trips.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in form and function, offering quality materials, intuitive controls, and comfortable seating. The 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat provided excellent support, while the front passenger seat offered similar comfort with limited adjustments. The CR-V's back seat was spacious, with a high bottom cushion for leg support and adjustable backrest angles. The cargo area varied by trim, with the Sport Touring offering 34.7 cubic feet and the Sport and Sport-L providing 36.3 cubic feet. With the back seat folded, the CR-V Hybrid offered up to 76.5 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2025 Acura MDX featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage programs in the Advance and A-Spec Advance trims. The second row could be configured as a bench or individual seats, with the middle section folding down for cupholders or storage. The third row was less comfortable for adults, with limited leg support. The MDX offered adequate in-cabin storage, with a new center console tray and wireless charging pad. Cargo space measured 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded and 71.4 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid came with a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 9-inch display available on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless charging, were reserved for the Sport-L and Sport Touring trims. The Sport Touring also featured a 12-speaker Bose audio system and navigation. The voice recognition system was basic, and the CR-V included a walk-away automatic locking feature for added security.

The 2025 Acura MDX introduced a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Alexa and Google Built-in, eliminating the previous touchpad interface. The system offered a natural and intuitive interface, with Google Assistant providing quick and accurate responses. The MDX featured AcuraLink connected services, an AT&T 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and upgraded sound systems, with the Type S Advance offering a 31-speaker Bang & Olufsen setup. The infotainment system paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 10.5-inch head-up display, though blind-spot monitoring alerts were absent from the latter.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid included Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Sport-L and Sport Touring trims added parking sensors and low-speed automatic braking. Honda Sensing performed well during testing, with only minor issues. The CR-V received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS for 2023, though NHTSA ratings were not available.

The 2025 Acura MDX featured AcuraWatch, a collection of driver assistance features, with an expanded AcuraWatch 360 available on the Type S Advance. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. AcuraWatch 360 added front cross-traffic alert and evasive steering warning. The MDX performed well during testing, though the lane-departure warning was less refined. The 2025 MDX retained the NHTSA's five-star overall rating, with the IIHS yet to comment on crash tests.