Luxury SUV Road Test: 2016 Volvo XC90 Versus 2017 Acura MDX

CARS.COM — The Volvo XC90 and Acura MDX are long-time staples of the luxury family hauler class. Both have been updated recently, making them ripe for a head-to-head comparison. The 2016 Volvo XC90’s ground-up transformation was significant enough to nab Cars.com’s Best of 2016 award, and the ever-popular Acura MDX is restyled and more feature-packed for 2017.

Related: 2017 Acura MDX: First Impressions

Once again, it was time for our long-term XC90 to step up to the plate and defend its home field record after besting the 2017 Audi Q7 and 2017 Jaguar F-Pace in similar comparisons. We each drove the MDX and XC90 on an identical driving loop to evaluate these three-row luxury SUVs in 10 categories, including interior quality, comfort, multimedia, value and more.

Despite nearly identical starting prices of around $45,000, the seven-seat XC90 checks numerous boxes for an as-tested $66,265 price in T6 Inscription trim. The seven-seater MDX SH-AWD with Advance and Entertainment packages is the underdog at $59,340. Does the MDX make enough of a value statement to dethrone the XC90? Keep reading to find out.

Interior Quality

Winner: XC90

These SUVs have very different cabins, but both are lovely in their own way. The XC90’s cabin drips luxury from the first row to the third, with loads of padding and genuine aluminum and wood trim forming a classy two-tone design. The MDX’s cabin is also handsome and amply padded in all the right places, but its generic black-on-black theme gives off more of a sporty vibe than a luxurious one.

Occupant Comfort

Winner: MDX

Both SUVs excel when it comes to occupant comfort, but in different ways. The XC90’s second row has a handy feature that most SUVs lack: the seats split in a 40/20/40 split, making them more useful and versatile. The MDX’s second row folds in a more traditional 60/40 split, but getting back to the third row is easy thanks to a one-touch button on both sides that slides the second row for access.
It’s another mixed bag for third-row comfort. The MDX’s third row has less legroom than the XC90’s, but the MDX feels wider and roomier. The MDX’s two top tether anchors mean you can safely install two forward-facing car seats in the third row; the XC90’s third row lacks any top tether anchors.

Noise

Winner: MDX

The XC90 is considerably louder than the MDX — it has a gruff engine note, and much more wind and road noise intrude into the cabin. The XC90’s optional 21-inch wheels and tires transmit a noticeable amount of road hum at highway speeds and loud thuds as the tires smack bumps on less-than-perfect roads. The XC90’s supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder, while potent, is a noisy engine and less-refined sounding than the MDX’s V-6. 

Controls and Multimedia

Winner: XC90

The XC90’s multimedia system takes some getting used to because it centralizes all vehicle controls in one massive touchscreen, but once you figure it out, the menus make sense. The MDX’s dual-screen layout and convoluted controls annoy on many levels: The control panel is cluttered with an array of screens, buttons and panels and some functions — like turning on the heated seats — take too many steps.

The MDX’s confusing button-controlled transmission gear selector has proven to be a bad move for other automakers. There shouldn’t have to be a learning curve for an integral part of operating the SUV. However, the MDX impressed with five USB ports between the first and second rows, compared with the XC90’s measly single USB port in the center console storage.

Cargo

Winner: MDX

The MDX has a slight edge in cargo room when the third row is folded. The cargo opening is also wider, though the XC90 has a lower load-in height with our SUV’s optional air suspension that can lower on command for easier access.

The MDX excels in small items storage with its enormous three-tiered center console that could swallow three or four of the XC90’s puny center console. The MDX also has plenty of cubbies throughout the cabin and even in the third row, where each occupant gets a cup holder and storage box.

Visibility

Winner: XC90

The XC90’s large side windows and tall back window provide good views from the driver’s seat. Its 360-degree surround-view camera is very helpful when parking. The MDX’s steeper roofline and smaller rear windows cut into rear visibility; the third row’s tiny windows are almost useless. The MDX also has a 360-degree camera for backing up, but its screen is more inset and smaller than the XC90’s.

Handling

Winner: MDX

The MDX has the edge here, being more composed in corners with a confidence-inspiring all-wheel-drive system despite the ride feeling slightly spongier than the firm-riding XC90.  Don’t be fooled by the firmer ride: the XC90 does not excel on twisty roads — its body rolls into corners and a numb steering feel caps off its very un-sporty handling.

Ride

Winner: MDX

The XC90’s optional air suspension and adaptive shock absorbers add softness and comfort compared with the regular model’s suspension, but it transmits more pavement cracks and bumps than the MDX. The MDX handles bumps with less agitation and has overall better isolation from the road. The MDX strikes a desirable balance between sportiness and comfort even without a fancy adjustable firmness suspension and airbags like the XC90.   

Acceleration

Winner: XC90

Both SUVs feel reasonably quick off the line, but the XC90’s supercharged and turbocharged 316-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder has the edge. It has decent pep from a stop and activating its Dynamic driving mode adds some more aggressive oomph. The MDX with a 290-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 isn’t slow, and power off the line is good, but its nine-speed automatic transmission is too busy and occasionally lurchy at lower speeds.

Worth the Money? 

Winner: MDX

The MDX isn’t as luxurious as the XC90 — the Volvo has more polished exterior styling and a much more opulent cabin — but Acura makes up for it by loading the MDX with oodles of comfort and convenience features from its second-row heated seats and plethora of USB ports to a giant-screen DVD entertainment system and cavernous center console box. 

Results

Winner: XC90

The MDX may have won more individual categories, but its dismal performance in the multimedia category, lower interior quality score and poor rear visibility allowed the XC90 to sneak past with the win. All said and done, the XC90 got 143 points, narrowly edging out the MDX with its 141 points. Scoring so closely to each other doesn’t mean they’re similar SUVs; in fact, they have very different personalities. The XC90 is undeniably more luxurious and forward-looking, with loads of opulent features and high-tech systems, while the MDX is the more practical, family-friendly of the two.