2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2022 Acura MDX

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved significantly from its rugged origins, transforming into a luxurious SUV with a starting price of $92,000. It offered a wide range of powertrains and personalization options, with the long-wheelbase version reaching up to $250,000. The test model, priced at $106,715, featured the HSE Westminster special-edition trim, showcasing a timeless design with hallmark cues like blacked-out windshield pillars and clean styling. Inside, the Range Rover exuded luxury with its Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance, although its InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was less advanced than newer models.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura MDX was built on a new dedicated platform, offering a sportier and more modern exterior design. It featured a longer wheelbase, wider body, and improved proportions, enhancing its elegance. The MDX's interior was modernized with authentic materials like natural wood and genuine aluminum, and it boasted a unique gear selection system. The 12.3-inch infotainment screen was strategically placed for safety, and the cabin provided a solid, quality feel. The MDX's exterior came in eight colors, while the interior offered six themes, adding to its appeal.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrain options, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid choices. The HSE Westminster edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It came with a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The Range Rover excelled in off-road capabilities, aided by Terrain Response 2 traction control. Its adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, although the steering was relatively slow, and the SUV's weight and tall center of gravity affected handling. The EPA estimated 20 mpg in combined driving, but the test vehicle averaged 18.5 mpg.

The 2022 Acura MDX, at launch, came with a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. It featured a new 10-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) optional. The SH-AWD system offered torque vectoring, enhancing cornering feel and control. The MDX's suspension was upgraded with a double-wishbone setup in the front and revised rear multi-link suspension, improving ride quality. The SUV's overall stiffness and rigidity were enhanced, and the 10-speed transmission worked seamlessly with the engine. Five drive modes were available, allowing for a tailored driving experience. The MDX impressed during comparison drives, showcasing its agility and performance.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in an uncomfortable seating position. The back seat offered quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated seats. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments and a small refrigerated bin. Luggage volume was also restricted, with a maximum cargo space of 59.8 cubic feet. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2022 Acura MDX, as a three-row SUV, provided comfortable seating for the first two rows, with a removable center section in the second row. The second row could slide and recline, while the third row was best suited for smaller passengers. The MDX offered flexible cargo capacity, with up to 95 cubic feet of space when the second and third rows were folded. The power tailgate featured "Grab ‘N Go" and Hands-Free Access functions, enhancing convenience. Interior lighting was customizable with 27 themes, adding to the cabin's ambiance.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while not entirely intuitive, could be navigated with smartphone-like familiarity. However, using the touchscreens while driving was distracting, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

The 2022 Acura MDX boasted the ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System, part of the A-Spec and Advance Packages, with 16 speakers and 710 watts of amplification. The MDX featured a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and the Acura Precision Cockpit digital instrument panel. Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, along with a CabinTalk feature for A-Spec and Advance trims. The MDX also offered a head-up display, HD rearview camera system, and a WiFi hotspot, with over-the-air updates for software and firmware.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance as standard. Optional safety features were available through various packages, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, although the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond.

The 2022 Acura MDX had not yet received crash-test ratings, but the outgoing model had high ratings. The MDX featured a higher percentage of high-strength steel and an advanced safety structure. The front end was redesigned for pedestrian safety, and a low-speed braking control system was included. The AcuraWatch suite of safety technologies was standard, offering collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more.