2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban, redesigned in 2021, shared its exterior styling with the shorter Tahoe SUV and the Silverado 1500 pickup. Its tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels gave it a supersized appearance. The Suburban was available in six trims, each offering different grille, fascia, and wheel designs, allowing for a fair degree of customization. Our RST test vehicle featured a Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior and 22-inch bright-machined black-painted wheels, giving it a sporty look. Inside, the Suburban offered a spacious cabin ranging from economically comfortable on the base LS trim to plush on the top-spec High Country. Our RST tester had 10-way power driver and front passenger seats, Jet Black perforated leather seats with Victory Red stitching, and the optional Luxury package, which included heated second-row outboard seats. However, the predominantly black interior made the cabin feel a bit dark.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S Advance trim came with extra-cost Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid (white) interior. The fourth-generation MDX was the first Acura SUV to wear the Type S badge, featuring chicane-design LED running lights and taillights, LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and 21-inch wheels. The Type S Advance added open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard. Inside, the MDX Type S featured perforated Milano leather, aluminum interior trim, and a Sport Appearance package with a black headliner and stainless steel pedal covers. However, the gloss black plastic on the dashboard made it challenging to find and use some controls, and the electronic transmission switchgear was confusing. Despite these nit-picks, the MDX Type S was fundamentally an attractive luxury SUV.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices: a 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, a 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 hp and 460 lb-ft, and a new-for-2022 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six producing 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 6.2-liter V8, part of the $3,815 Sport Performance package, provided noticeable extra power, making towing and acceleration effortless. The Suburban's maximum towing capacity was 8,300 pounds. The move to an independent rear suspension improved ride and handling, increased third-row passenger space, and cargo capacity.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 generating 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The MDX Type S had an Integrated Dynamics System with Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, and an exclusive Lift mode. However, the performance upgrades didn't gel into a cohesive whole, with issues like an indecisive transmission, lack of ride compliance, squealing tires, and poor brake pedal modulation. The MDX Type S averaged 16.9 mpg, falling short of the EPA rating of 19 mpg in combined driving. The Electro-Servo brake system and Continental self-sealing performance all-season tires also contributed to a lack of cohesion in the driving experience.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in space, offering seating for up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. Most Suburbans offered seven- or eight-passenger seating. The third row was livable for adults, with excellent access. The Suburban had 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 144.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded flat. The optional power-sliding center console provided additional storage space. However, the Suburban's size made it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces, and it might not fit in some garages due to its height. The switch to electronic push-button transmission controls was also a notable change.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seats with a choice of two or three second-row seating positions. Our Type S Advance test vehicle had 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, wrapped in quilted leather upholstery. The second-row seat could slide forward and back, but the rearmost position didn't provide as much legroom as expected. The third row was best for children. The MDX's cargo area had 18.1 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expanding to 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat. The cabin's design prioritized style over storage space, with limited storage bins and a touchpad interface that partially blocked the wireless charging pad.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered a surprising level of tech, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Google built-in on LT trims and above. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with an 8-inch touchscreen was standard on the LS, while a 10.2-inch Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium System was standard on LT and above. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and wireless device charging were also available. The Suburban LS had a six-speaker audio system, while the LT had a nine-speaker Bose audio system. The Premier and High Country trims featured a Bose 10-speaker Surround with CenterPoint audio system.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. However, the infotainment screen wasn't touch-sensitive, requiring the use of a True Touchpad Interface (TTI). The MDX also had wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa Built-In, SiriusXM satellite radio, and AcuraLink connected services. The top-shelf Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers provided clear, clean sound. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display (HUD) showing navigation instructions, driving assistance status, and current vehicle speed. However, the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs, leading to incorrect speed limit suggestions.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban came with standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, rear park assist, following distance indicator, automatic high-beam headlights, and an HD rear-vision camera. For 2022, front park assist, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-departure warning were added. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, HD surround vision, rear pedestrian alert, reverse automatic braking, lane-changing assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and a head-up display. The Suburban received an overall rating of four out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2023 Acura MDX included Acura Watch, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and Traffic Jam Assist. The MDX also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Certain trims added front and rear parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The MDX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA.