2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a unique blend of design elements, sitting between the futuristic angles of the Lexus NX and the more classic lines of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. It featured Cadillac’s signature design cues, such as a bold grille and distinctive vertical taillights, but its compact size and tall profile created an awkward aesthetic. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims offered distinct styling, with the former showcasing bright chrome for a traditional look and the latter featuring darker trim and a mesh grille for a sportier appearance. Inside, the XT5's interior felt luxurious, especially with the optional Platinum Package, but lacked a cohesive design theme, failing to make a strong brand statement.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX Type S Advance trim exuded a subtle yet sophisticated presence. It was the first Acura SUV to bear the Type S badge, with understated styling enhancements like chicane-design LED lights and 21-inch wheels. The interior boasted perforated Milano leather and aluminum trim, with the Advance package adding open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard. Despite its appealing design, the MDX's interior had some drawbacks, such as gloss black plastic that complicated control usage and electronic transmission switchgear that could be confusing. Overall, the MDX Type S was attractive but had some design quirks that detracted from its luxury appeal.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6, particularly in the Premium Luxury trim, provided ample power for daily driving, with smooth power delivery and quick shifts. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, which excelled in providing a comfortable ride while maintaining excellent body control. The steering was well-suited for a luxury vehicle, offering nimbleness without excessive sensitivity, and the cabin remained impressively quiet.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S stood out with its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivering 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. Despite the performance enhancements, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive driving experience. The transmission was indecisive, and the ride lacked compliance, with squealing tires and poor brake pedal modulation. The engine's power increase over the standard V6 was not substantial enough to justify its poor fuel economy, averaging 16.9 mpg in combined driving. While the MDX Type S offered various driving modes, it failed to provide the expected thrill of a performance SUV.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space compared to German luxury crossovers, with more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, though less than the BMW X3. It provided ample legroom in both rows but fell short in rear headroom. The seats were comfortable but not up to luxury standards, with narrow front cushions and insufficient rear cushioning. The XT5 boasted 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 63 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing its German rivals but not the Infiniti QX50. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and the interior featured a small cubbyhole for storage.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seating, with the option to configure the second row for two or three passengers. The Type S Advance trim included 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, though the seats were firm and didn't hold occupants in place during spirited driving. The second-row seats were comfortable and supportive, with heating in the outboard positions, but the third row was best suited for children. The MDX provided 18.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows down. The cabin prioritized style over storage, with limited space in the center console.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster and head-up display were available with the Technology Package. While the system was an improvement over previous Cadillac offerings, it still lagged behind competitors in screen size and graphics quality. The touchscreen was easy to navigate, but secondary controls were poorly placed, and the rotary controller and capacitive touchpads lacked physical feedback. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker audio system delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2023 Acura MDX came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display, operated via a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) on the center console. The TTI was accompanied by a wrist rest, volume knob, and radio tuning switch. While Acura intended the TTI to improve driver interaction, it proved less intuitive than a traditional touchscreen and occupied valuable console space. The MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In, but the native voice recognition system was frustrating. The top-tier ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers provided exceptional sound quality. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display, though the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread speed limits.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The XT5 received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though it had a "Marginal" headlight rating and an "Acceptable" LATCH rating.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured Acura Watch, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. It also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The MDX earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four stars for frontal-impact protection.