2020 Acura MDX vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2020 Acura MDX was lauded for its sleek and sporty appearance, though it didn't necessarily stand out dramatically in the crowded SUV market. Its conservative yet elegant design catered to those who preferred to blend in rather than make a bold statement. The MDX featured Acura's signature Jewel Eye LED headlights, which provided functional superiority and a touch of sophistication to its front profile. These distinctive headlights comprised five LED elements on each side, adding an upscale touch to the overall aesthetics.

The trapezoidal grille, anchored by a prominent Acura logo, contributed to the MDX's expressive and refined front fascia. The chiseled details and the low-slung, smooth roofline gave it a streamlined, aerodynamic look, setting it apart from bulkier three-row SUVs. Inside, the MDX boasted a modern and minimalist design. The twin infotainment screens—an 8.0-inch LED screen for navigation and an On Demand Multi-Use Display touchscreen—stood out in the center stack, complemented by high-quality materials and impeccable fit and finish. The solid construction of the interior elements, along with a rewarding tactile experience when operating the knobs and switches, underscored Acura's commitment to quality.

Conversely, the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse adhered to a more traditional SUV design philosophy, focusing on functional rather than revolutionary styling. It featured a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a large grille, proving to be generally attractive if somewhat understated compared to trendier designs. Chevy took a tailored approach by differentiating trim levels through distinctive details. The RS model, for instance, had blacked-out trim for a sporty demeanor, while chrome accents adorned the High Country model. Various appearance packages such as Redline, Sport, and Midnight added further personalization options.

Crafted on the same platform as the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Cadillac XT6, the Traverse shared structural similarities but positioned itself below the upscale Chevy Tahoe in terms of size and features. The interior echoed the exterior's restrained styling but added a touch of luxury with features like the optional Dual SkyScape sunroof, which bathed the front and second-row seats in natural light. Despite some cost-cutting measures, the materials in the Traverse's cabin felt fairly good for a vehicle in its price range but didn't fully justify its $50,000 sticker price.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered two capable powertrains. The standard setup comprised a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Buyers could choose between front-wheel drive or the more dynamic Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. Additionally, the MDX Sport Hybrid combined a 3.0-liter V6 engine with three electric motors to produce 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The gasoline-only model, especially with SH-AWD, exhibited robust straight-line performance and capable acceleration. The torque-vectoring feature in SH-AWD notably enhanced handling by directing power to the outside wheel during cornering, improving agility without compromising stability. The four-wheel independent suspension ensured a smooth ride, making the MDX a comfortable companion for long journeys.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came exclusively with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Although no longer offering a 2.0-liter turbocharged option, the V6 provided sufficient power for everyday driving needs. While the initial acceleration felt somewhat underwhelming, the engine produced adequate power for highway driving and overtaking maneuvers.

The Traverse excelled in highway conditions, offering a quiet cabin thanks to active noise cancellation and a comfortable ride courtesy of its well-tuned suspension. However, its handling on winding roads was less impressive, lacking the nimbleness seen in competitors like the Subaru Ascent. The AWD system required manual activation and could distribute torque to individual wheels, yet its torque-vectoring capabilities were not particularly noticeable from the driver's perspective. Despite having an off-road and a tow/haul mode, the Traverse's 5,000-pound towing capacity was middling, with competitors like the Nissan Pathfinder and Ford Explorer offering higher capabilities.

The 2020 Acura MDX catered to family needs with features like sliding and reclining second-row seats, enhancing accessibility to the third row and optimizing legroom distribution. Headroom remained ample across all three rows. Cargo space behind the third row stood at 15.8 cubic feet, expanding to 43.4 cubic feet with the third row folded. With the second row also folded, the MDX offered a generous 90.9 cubic feet of cargo space with a flat load floor. The rear cargo area included a recessed cubby and an underfloor storage compartment for additional concealed storage.

Interior storage included a sizable glove box, an overhead sunglass pocket, and a central console with multiple power outlets and storage options for personal electronics. Door pockets and back-of-seat pouches further enhanced practicality. The tri-zone climate control system allowed distinct temperature settings for the driver, front passenger, and rear cabin, catering to everyone's comfort.

In comparison, the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse provided seating flexibility, accommodating seven or eight passengers depending on whether captain’s chairs or a bench seat were chosen for the second row. Both headroom and legroom were generous throughout but not class-leading. The Traverse excelled in cargo capacity with 23.0 cubic feet behind the third row, increasing to 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded down and a cavernous 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats stowed. This made the Traverse a top contender for cargo volume among midsize SUVs.

However, the Traverse displayed some limitations in terms of interior storage options, reflecting a trade-off often seen in rugged-style crossovers. The power liftgate was standard on higher trim levels, and a gesture-activated version was available on top trims, enhancing convenience. Despite its spaciousness, the Traverse couldn't match the ease of loading and unloading associated with minivans, which have lower floors and sliding doors.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered a streamlined approach to trim levels, bundling most tech features into packages. The base model was well-equipped with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Siri Eyes Free, Bluetooth, multiple USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an eight-speaker audio system. The Technology Package, costing an additional $5,000, introduced features like rain-sensing wipers, LED puddle lights, parking sensors, navigation with real-time traffic, GPS-linked climate control, remote engine start, and a premium 10-speaker audio system.

The Advance Package, priced at $6,750 on top of the base, included the Technology Package's features plus an active damper suspension, LED fog lights, heated and ventilated front seats, a power lumbar system, heated rear seats, a surround-view camera system, Head-Up Warning, and extra USB ports for the third row. An optional Entertainment Package added a rear entertainment system with a large screen and wireless headphones for $2,000 if paired with either the Technology or Advance Package.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse's standard infotainment setup comprised a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and an upmarket Bose 10-speaker audio system. Unlike some competitors, Chevy retained analog controls for critical functions, simplifying user interaction.

The Traverse featured the innovative rearview camera mirror, which toggled between a standard mirror and a camera feed to eliminate rear blind spots. An optional HD surround-view camera system further aided parking. While tech-savvy buyers might find the analog instrument cluster supplemented by an LCD screen to be old-fashioned, it performed adequately. Standard across all trims were two USB ports per row, but wireless phone charging was reserved for higher trims like Premier and High Country.

The 2020 Acura MDX came equipped with the AcuraWatch suite, which included advanced driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Advance Package introduced Head-Up Warning. The vehicle featured extensive airbag coverage, stability control, Trailer Stability Assist, tire pressure monitoring, and LATCH child-seat mounts.

The MDX's body structure, known as Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE), was designed to absorb and deflect crash energy, protecting occupants. The IIHS rated the MDX "Good" in all crash tests and "Superior" in front crash prevention, though its headlights were rated "Acceptable." The NHTSA awarded a five-star overall safety rating.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse also earned top crash-test scores from the IIHS, with “Good” ratings across all categories and “Superior” for front-crash prevention. However, its headlights were rated "Acceptable" to "Poor" depending on the trim level. It received an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH ease of use, aligning it closely with the MDX.

The NHTSA awarded the Traverse a five-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests, and five stars in side-impact tests. Chevrolet lagged in standard driver-assist technology, with features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist offered only on higher trims or as optional extras, unlike several competitors that included these features as standard.