2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2022 Acura MDX

The 2022 Acura MDX was a pioneer in the three-row luxury crossover SUV category, offering a spacious interior that belied its compact exterior. Built on a new dedicated platform, the MDX featured a longer wheelbase, wider body, and an increased dash-to-axle distance, enhancing its elegant appearance. The exterior design was modern and sporty, with standard Jewel Eye LED headlights and larger wheels contributing to its assertive look. Inside, the MDX boasted a modernized cabin with authentic materials like natural wood and real leather, complemented by high-quality plastics. The dashboard layout, though initially quirky, quickly made sense, and the 12.3-inch infotainment screen was strategically placed for safety. The MDX's interior was comfortable and spacious, with a variety of color options for both the exterior and interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, with a design that was unmistakably Range Rover. Its sleek, sporty package was a nod to the larger Range Rover's profile, featuring a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a distinctive grille. The Velar's exterior was both blocky and streamlined, with flush door handles and unique taillight lenses adding to its allure. The interior, while stylish, was more compact, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The Velar's infotainment system, Pivi Pro, was user-friendly and customizable, offering features like voice activation and a 360-degree camera. Despite its stylish design, the Velar's interior space was limited, with reduced headroom and cargo space compared to other SUVs.

The 2022 Acura MDX was powered by 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) available. The SH-AWD system offered torque vectoring, enhancing cornering feel and control. The MDX's suspension was upgraded to a double-wishbone setup, improving sporty handling and ride quality. The vehicle's overall stiffness and rigidity were enhanced, providing a solid ride feel. The MDX offered five drive modes, allowing drivers to tailor performance to their preferences.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a lower center of gravity and lighter weight for improved handling. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar's optional air suspension provided a plush ride and could raise the body for increased clearance. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, offered 340 to 395 horsepower, depending on the trim. The Velar's performance was more street-oriented, with limited off-road capabilities.

The 2022 Acura MDX offered versatile interior space, with comfortable seating for the first two rows and a removable center section in the second row. The third row was best suited for smaller passengers, but the sliding seats allowed for flexible cargo capacity. The MDX provided between 16.3 and 18.1 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 95 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The power tailgate featured convenient functions like "Grab ‘N Go" and Hands-Free Access. The MDX's interior lighting was customizable, with 27 themes to choose from.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had a more compact interior, with limited headroom and cargo space. It offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design prioritized style over practicality, with thick B-pillars and small rear windows reducing visibility. The vehicle's controls were criticized for being illogical, with the parking brake integrated into the transmission button. Despite these drawbacks, the Velar's infotainment system was improved, offering features like a voice assistant and a 360-degree camera.

The 2022 Acura MDX was equipped with advanced technology, including the ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System with 16 speakers and 710 watts of amplification. The MDX featured a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a digital instrument panel, with built-in Amazon Alexa and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The vehicle offered a head-up display, a WiFi hotspot, and over-the-air software updates. The CabinTalk feature allowed communication with rear passengers, and the MDX's navigation system was standard on higher trims.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was user-friendly, with a simplified layout and customizable features. The system included a voice assistant, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system offered traffic detours and frequent route suggestions. The Velar's instrument panel could display full-width maps and reconfigure gauges, but its driving assist display was less detailed than competitors. Standard features included LED headlights, a 12-speaker Meridian stereo, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Acura MDX had not yet been rated by U.S. safety organizations, but the previous model received high marks. The MDX was engineered with a higher percentage of high-strength steel and featured an advanced safety structure. The vehicle's front end was redesigned for pedestrian safety, and it included a low-speed braking control system. The AcuraWatch suite of safety technologies was standard, offering features like collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been rated by U.S. agencies, but it scored well in European NCAP tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.