2022 Acura MDX vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2022 Acura MDX stood as a pioneer in the three-row luxury crossover SUV segment, presenting a smaller exterior that concealed a surprisingly spacious interior. Unlike its predecessors, which shared a platform with the Honda Pilot, the new 2022 generation was engineered and built on a dedicated platform specifically for the MDX. Its proportions were carefully adjusted, featuring a longer wheelbase, greater overall length, and a wider body and track. A critical design element—the dash-to-axle distance—was increased by over four inches, a touch that added an air of elegance to the vehicle.

Acura had a history of employing LED headlights early, and the 2022 MDX made good use of this with standard Jewel Eye LED headlights accented by expressive linear LED daytime running lights. Larger wheels and tires also played a role in the sporty, assertive exterior design, ranging from 19 x 8.5 inches to 20 x 9 inches. Manufactured in East Liberty, Ohio, the 2022 MDX showcased a high level of craftsmanship and quality.

Inside, the MDX's layered dashboard emphasized cabin width and was positioned lower and further from the front-seat occupants to create a spacious feel. Authentic materials like natural wood, genuine aluminum, and real leather, combined with high-quality plastics, provided a luxurious interior ambiance. Though the control layout was initially quirky, it proved intuitive with use. Unique features included a gear selection that felt inspired by a fighter jet and a touchpad for infotainment controls. The 12.3-inch infotainment screen, placed atop the center stack, was non-touch, a deliberate choice for safety, given its distance from the driver.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX offered standard and Type S versions, each with various trim packages. Priced between $49,550 and $73,200, the MDX Type S—our test vehicle—featured extra-cost Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid interior, elevating its MSRP to $74,995. The Type S badge, a first for any Acura SUV, suggested subtlety rather than overt aggression, which was appreciated given its luxury status.

The 2023 model retained many visual cues, such as the chicane-design LED running lights and automatic LED headlights but enhanced its appearance with minor front styling modifications and muted badges, all sitting atop 21-inch wheels. The rear sported quad exhaust outlets framing a rear diffuser panel.

Inside, the Type S Advance boasted perforated Milano leather, aluminum trim, and a Sport Appearance package, which included a black headliner and stainless steel pedal covers. Open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard added to its luxury touch. Iconic Drive ambient lighting themes were standard, offering a sophisticated interior look. However, the vehicle's body design, particularly around the doors, occasionally made the vehicle appear dented from certain angles. Plus, there was a significant amount of gloss black plastic on the dashboard, complicating the use of some controls.

At launch, the 2022 Acura MDX offered a single engine option: a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain pushed power to the front wheels in base and Tech trims, with an optional Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) that provided torque vectoring capabilities. This system could send up to 70% of torque to the rear wheels, pushing up to 100% of that torque to either side during cornering, significantly enhancing control and cornering feel.

The new suspension system was another highlight, with a front double-wishbone setup replacing the previous McPherson struts for better sporty handling. The rear multi-link suspension was revised for improved ride quality. Enhanced disc brakes ensured powerful stopping capabilities. The vehicle's overall stiffness and rigidity were also vastly improved, eliminating body flex and enhancing ride quality.

During test drives in southeastern Michigan, including comparisons with the Lexus RX L, Volvo XC90, and Audi Q7, the 2022 MDX stood out. Its performance and handling were closer to the benchmark Audi Q7, making a strong impression in this competitive group.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Acura MDX Type S distinguished itself with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque—significant increases over the standard 3.5-liter V6. Despite these boosts, the Type S's additional 285 pounds made a noticeable difference in performance.

The turbo V6 engine was mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, pushing power through the SH-AWD system. This enhanced AWD system could send up to 70% of total engine output to a single rear wheel, optimizing cornering performance through Agile Handling Assist technology.

The Integrated Dynamics System added driving modes like Sport+, while the adaptive air suspension introduced a Lift mode to increase ground clearance to 9.4 inches. However, the performance upgrades felt disjointed. The transmission was indecisive, ride compliance was lacking, and brake pedal modulation was poor. Our evaluation drive revealed an average of 16.9 mpg, short of the EPA's combined rating of 19 mpg, further diminishing its appeal as a performance variant.

As a three-row SUV, the 2022 Acura MDX excelled in versatility, with a first two rows offering comfortable bucket seats and an innovative second row with a removable center section. The third row, while offering space primarily suited for pre-teens and smaller individuals, featured USB connections in all three rows. Cargo space behind the third row ranged from 16.3 to 18.1 cubic feet, with hidden underfloor storage adding 1.8 cubic feet. Folding the third row expanded the capacity to 39.1 to 48.4 cubic feet, and folding down the second row created a vast 71.4 to 95 cubic feet of cargo space.

The power tailgate featured "Grab 'N Go," where you could press a "Walk Away Close" button to automatically close and lock the tailgate as you walked away within 30 seconds. The Hands-Free Access function allowed the tailgate to open with a kick under the bumper, and the tailgate's opening height could be programmed to avoid collisions or difficult reaches. Iconic Drive Lighting offered 27 interior lighting themes to enhance the cabin's ambiance uniquely.

The 2023 model packed even more functionality. All models included triple-zone automatic climate control and power-adjustable front seats, with the Type S Advance trim featuring 16-way adjustments, seat heating, ventilation, and massage. Despite these features, the seats felt firm and less enveloping, failing to hold passengers as securely as expected in a performance-oriented vehicle.

The second-row seat options allowed for either a two- or three-seat configuration, with the middle seat capable of being removed for a pass-through to the third row. The third-row, much like its predecessor, was best for children, with power-operated seat tilts for easier access.

Cargo space behind the third row offered 18.1 cubic feet, expanding to 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows down. The Type S Advance featured a hands-free liftgate with a Walk Away Close function, similar to the 2022 model.

The 2022 Acura MDX held its own in terms of technology, boasting the ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System with 16 speakers and 710 watts, along with multiple other audio configurations across trims. A 12.3-inch landscape-oriented infotainment screen and the Acura Precision Cockpit 12.3-inch HD digital instrument panel were standard. Amazon Alexa Built-In allowed for seamless home-to-car and car-to-home functions, and other standard features included Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Qi-compatible wireless charging, and a head-up display in the Advance package. CabinTalk added another layer of convenience, acting as a public address system for back-row passengers.

The Digital Precision Cockpit in the 2023 MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a similarly sized infotainment display. However, the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) to control the infotainment system proved problematic, replacing the conventional touchscreen interface. Despite well-intentioned design, this system was not as intuitive as hoped, taking up valuable console space and partially blocking the wireless charging pad.

Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In remained standard. The top-trim Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D with 25 speakers delivered excellent audio quality when high-fidelity files were used. An Advance package HUD featured convenient location controls but suffered an anomaly during testing, mistaking a road sign for an obstacle—a rare but noteworthy error.

Safety was a significant focus for the 2022 Acura MDX, with engineers targeting improved ratings from IIHS and NHTSA over the previous model's "Good" and five-star ratings. Incorporations of high-strength steel and an advanced safety structure were aimed at collision protection. Additional features included a redesigned front-end for pedestrian safety, low-speed braking control, and the AcuraWatch suite, which encompassed collision mitigation braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more.

For 2023, Acura Watch continued to provide comprehensive safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and Traffic Jam Assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with parking sensors and a surround-view camera available on higher trims.

Despite system improvements, some issues persisted, like lane departure false alarms and an event where the adaptive cruise control mistook an overhead road sign for an obstacle. Nevertheless, the 2023 MDX maintained high safety ratings, earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and an overall five-star NHTSA rating.