2025 Acura MDX vs 2025 Subaru Outback

The 2025 Acura MDX received subtle exterior updates, including a new grille, revised front bumper, and darkened headlights and taillights, which enhanced its sporty and performance-oriented appearance. Most versions also featured new wheel designs and finishes, giving the SUV a tidier front end. Inside, the MDX saw more significant changes with the introduction of a new touchscreen infotainment system, replacing the previous touchpad interface and adding more storage. The seats from the previous MDX Type S model were made available in the MDX Advance package and MDX A-Spec Advance, while the Type S received a new seat design. Acura also improved cabin quietness with added sound insulation and acoustic laminated window glass. Despite the quality, the gloss black plastic trim on the dashboard was prone to collecting lint and smudges. The MDX offered logically located controls, including a volume knob and quick-access buttons for the head-up display and safety features. The new A-Spec Advance trim level combined luxury with a sportier look, and the test vehicle with Apex Blue Pearl paint and a $1,350 destination charge had an MSRP of $69,950. The base MDX started at $50,900, with various trims available, including the top-of-the-line MDX Type S Advance at $74,950 plus destination charge.

The 2025 Subaru Outback stood out as one of the few remaining wagons in the U.S., adopting crossover trends with chunky wheel-arch flares, skid plate-like fascias, and a robust roof rack. The design conveyed its off-road capability, and the test car's Crimson Red Pearl paint paired well with its black leather interior. Subaru focused on buyers needing off-road capability, a strategy that paid off with the Outback, Crosstrek, and Forester being the brand's best-sellers. The 2025 Outback saw no major changes, with Base and Premium trims featuring cloth upholstery and 17-inch wheels, while Onyx and Wilderness models had easy-to-clean StarTex synthetic leather. The Limited trim gained features like a power moonroof, DriverFocus tech, navigation, and a 360-degree heated steering wheel. The Touring XT trim offered Nappa leather upholstery and ventilated front seats. The Outback's rugged exterior housed a well-executed interior with minimal chrome and glossy black plastic. It featured easy-to-read gauges and a small digital display for useful information.

The 2025 Acura MDX positioned itself as a performance-oriented luxury SUV, with the Type S model featuring a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. Most buyers opted for the standard 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The MDX offered a torque-vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, standard on the A-Spec trim and optional on lower trims. The SUV weighed over 4,500 pounds with SH-AWD, providing good power but not exceptional speed. It offered Comfort, Normal, Sport, Snow, and Individual driving modes, with the Sport mode providing the best powertrain response. However, using Sport mode frequently reduced fuel economy, with the A-Spec Advance rated at 21 mpg combined but averaging 18.4 mpg during testing. The MDX handled twisty roads confidently, with smooth and consistent body motions, though some brake fade was noted during spirited driving. It provided a firm and communicative ride in the city and a smooth, quiet highway experience. The MDX was not designed for off-roading, with limited ground clearance unless equipped with the Type S Advance's air suspension.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured a horizontally opposed "Boxer" engine, available in two forms. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, while the XT trims had a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines ran on regular unleaded gas and were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The turbocharged engine provided smart acceleration, though not at a performance level. The Outback offered 8.7 inches of ground clearance and Subaru's X-Mode for optimized traction on slippery surfaces, with the Wilderness model increasing clearance to 9.5 inches and adding a front skid plate. The Outback's ride was smooth and comfortable, with a soft suspension and thick tire sidewalls absorbing bumps and potholes. The steering was light, throttle smooth, and brakes powerful, making it a comfortable companion on rough roads. The stop/start technology was intrusive, and the CVT was slow to respond during throttle transitions.

The 2025 Acura MDX offered 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage programs in the MDX Advance and MDX A-Spec Advance trims. The seats were wrapped in perforated, piped, and quilted leather, providing exceptional comfort and support. The second row could be configured as a three-person bench or individual bucket seats, with a fold-down middle section for cupholders and storage. The outboard second-row seats were comfortable with ample legroom and thigh support, and side window shades were standard on most trims. The third-row seat was challenging for adults to access and uncomfortable for long periods, best suited for children. In-cabin storage was adequate, with a new center console tray, wireless smartphone charging pad, and small storage areas. Cargo volume 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 2025 Subaru Outback's wagon shape offered practicality, with easy entry and exit due to its lower chassis. The low roof height made loading the roof rack easier, and the flat-four engine design contributed to a low center of gravity, enhancing agility. The Outback provided 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat up and 75.6 cubic feet with the bench folded. The flat floor and square shape maximized usability, though the cargo area was smaller than some crossovers. The Outback's total passenger volume of 109 cubic feet was larger than its crossover competitors, with more front headroom and legroom. Buyers were advised to test drive different trims, as the Limited and Touring grades differed significantly from the Wilderness model. The standard towing capacity was 2,700 pounds, increasing to 3,500 pounds with the turbocharged engine.

The 2025 Acura MDX featured a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Alexa and Google Built-in, offering complimentary access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play for three years. The system replaced the old True Touchpad Interface, providing a more intuitive and natural interface. SiriusXM satellite radio was not available unless streamed through a smartphone app. AcuraLink connected services and an AT&T 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot were standard. The MDX Technology trim and above featured Bang & Olufsen audio systems, with the Type S Advance offering a 31-speaker setup. The infotainment system paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, offering two themes and a graphic representation of the MDX. A 10.5-inch head-up display provided comprehensive data, though blind-spot monitoring alerts were absent. The MDX Advance and A-Spec Advance included a surround-view camera system with front, side, and rear views.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's technology package included an 11.6-inch touchscreen with large icons, though the Starlink infotainment system was slow to respond, especially at startup. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, with wireless connectivity on most trims. The Harman Kardon 12-speaker audio system performed well, though navigational commands limited audio to the rear speakers. The dashboard featured a mix of buttons and knobs, with some functions requiring touchscreen interaction. The 2025 Outback Touring included a CD player and a USB-A port alongside a USB-C port for older devices.

The 2025 Acura MDX featured AcuraWatch driver assistance features with improved accuracy and refinement. All models included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control and Traffic Jam Assist were standard, with front and rear parking sensors and low-speed automatic braking on the MDX Technology trim and above. AcuraWatch 360, exclusive to the Type S Advance, added front cross-traffic alert, evasive steering warning, and active lane-change assist. The MDX received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though SH-AWD models lacked a rollover resistance rating. The 2024 MDX earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured EyeSight driver-assist technology with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. The system kept the Outback in its lane but with more side-to-side movement than desired. Onyx and higher trims included blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The DriverFocus system monitored for driver distraction, though it occasionally issued false notifications. The 2024 Outback earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.