2022 Acura MDX vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was based on the same design introduced in the 2015 model year, with significant updates received in 2017 that continued into 2021. The exterior featured standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the first time in 2017, and the 2020 model saw an infotainment system upgrade. For 2021, the Premier trim was discontinued, leaving only the LS and LT trims. The LS trim offered 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, dual front USB ports, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, coupled with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An optional $495 package added tinted windows and cruise control.

The LT trim added more features such as heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, rear window tint, roof rails, LED head- and taillights, remote start, cruise control, chrome belt-line moldings, and silver-painted skid plates. The seats were upgraded to cloth and leatherette, with a cargo security cover and a 120-volt AC power outlet. Various styling packages were available for the LT trim, including the Redline Edition, Sport Edition, and Midnight Edition. Adding the Driver Confidence Package brought in driver assistance features, and the LT Convenience Package added a leather-wrapped steering wheel, six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and keyless open and start.

The 2022 Acura MDX, built on a new dedicated platform distinct from the Honda Pilot, had increased dimensions with a longer wheelbase, overall length, and wider body. The design emphasized elegance with a dash-to-axle distance increased by over four inches. Standard Jewel Eye LED headlights, expressive linear LED daytime running lights, and larger wheels and tires enhanced its sportier and modern look. The MDX showcased high craftsmanship and quality, built in East Liberty, Ohio.

Inside, the MDX featured a layered dashboard that highlighted cabin width and authentic materials like natural wood, genuine aluminum, and real leather, supplemented by high-quality plastics. The center console housed a unique gear selection resembling a fighter jet’s controls, a touchpad for infotainment, and various control knobs and buttons. The 12.3-inch infotainment screen was strategically placed in a non-touchscreen, landscape orientation for safety. The front seats were wide, adjustable, and comfortable, complemented by a beefy steering wheel with redundant controls and paddle shifters. The exterior was available in eight colors, and the interior offered six themes.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was equipped with a single engine option: a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission routed power to either front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD).

The Trax's engine was adequate for city driving but struggled at highway speeds, making plenty of noise while attempting to accelerate. Its firm suspension resulted in a harsh ride over potholes and bumps. However, the Trax had a tight turning radius, improving maneuverability in tight spaces, making it a practical choice for city dwellers. Performance-wise, the Trax was overshadowed by rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30, which offered a more comfortable and fun driving experience. Notably, the upcoming 2022 Trax promised a retuned engine with 155 horsepower while maintaining the same torque output.

The 2022 Acura MDX, launched with a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, featured a 10-speed automatic transmission. The MDX offered front-wheel drive (FWD) on the base and Tech trims, with optional Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) that was standard on all other trims. SH-AWD provided torque vectoring, enhancing cornering control and reducing steering effort by shifting up to 100% of the torque to either rear wheel during cornering. The upgraded 4th-generation SH-AWD improved launch performance and response time.

The 2022 MDX also featured a reworked suspension with a double-wishbone front setup for better handling and a revised rear multi-link suspension for improved ride quality. Enhanced braking power and improved steering feel (due to a variable gear ratio system) made it a more engaging driving experience. The MDX's body exhibited increased stiffness and rigidity, eliminating squeaks and rattles, and offering a smooth drive. The 10-speed automatic transmission worked seamlessly with the engine, providing quick downshifts for passing maneuvers and various drive modes (Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual) for different driving conditions.

During a comparison drive in Michigan, the MDX, especially in the A-Spec trim, felt closer to luxury benchmarks like the Audi Q7, outperforming competitors like the Lexus RX L and the Volvo XC90.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax provided a decent amount of headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. However, while the front seats were supportive, the rear seats offered poor bolstering, making long journeys uncomfortable for rear passengers. The Trax offered practical storage solutions with multiple storage trays in each door and a low cupholder placement that accommodated larger water bottles without interfering with elbow space.

Cargo capacity in the Trax was mid-pack for the subcompact SUV segment, offering 18.7 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and up to 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. The front passenger seat could also fold flat to fit larger items, but the model lacked options for a power or hands-free liftgate.

The 2022 Acura MDX, being a three-row SUV, served multiple functions effectively. It offered spacious seating, especially in the first two rows, with dual bucket sport seats in the front, and an innovative second row featuring a removable center section. The second row could slide fore and aft to balance legroom and recline up to 12 degrees, enhancing passenger comfort. Access to the third row was easy, though it was best suited for pre-teens or smaller passengers. For driver convenience, USB connections were available in all three rows.

Flexibility in cargo capacity was a strong suit for the MDX. Behind the third row, it offered 16.3 to 18.1 cubic feet of space, with an additional 1.8 cubic feet of hidden storage. Folding the third row down expanded the cargo space to 39.1 to 48.4 cubic feet, and with the second row folded, it reached 71.4 to 95 cubic feet. MDX also featured a standard power tailgate with advanced functions like “Grab ‘N Go” for automatic closing, Hands-Free Access, and customizable opening heights.

For the 2021 Chevrolet Trax, technology centered around a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, known for its user-friendly menus and vivid graphics, complemented by physical buttons and dials. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

The 2022 Acura MDX boasted several tech highlights, starting with the ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System on higher trims, offering 16 speakers and 710 watts of amplification. Even lower trims had impressive audio systems, such as the Premium Audio with nine speakers or the ELS Studio with 12 speakers. Navigation was standard on Tech trims and above. All models featured a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and the Acura Precision Cockpit 12.3-inch HD digital instrument panel, both configurable.

The MDX also offered built-in Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Qi-compatible wireless device charging, and CabinTalk for in-car communication on certain trims. An optional head-up display, HD rearview camera system (upgradable to surround view), and a WiFi hotspot were all part of the tech suite, with software updates available over the air.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax earned five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though it did not receive top awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included several airbags and a backup camera. The LT Convenience Package added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors. However, advanced safety features like forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning were not available, making the Trax lag behind competitors safety-wise.

For the 2022 Acura MDX, crash-test ratings were yet to be released for this model year, but engineers aimed for better ratings than the outgoing model, which had earned high marks. The MDX featured high-strength steel construction and advanced safety structures. A redesigned front end improved pedestrian safety, with low-speed braking control employing sensors for collision mitigation. The AcuraWatch suite, standard across all trims, included collision mitigation braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, road departure mitigation, traffic sign recognition, driver attention monitor, pedestrian detection, and traffic-jam assist.