2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a distinctive design that set it apart from its Genesis siblings while maintaining some familial styling cues. It featured quad LED strips for both headlights and taillights, paired with a prominent shield-shaped grille. The GV70's sloping roofline and ribbed detailing added a touch of athleticism to its profile, blending the visual bulk of an SUV with sleek, car-like elements. The Sport Prestige model further enhanced its character with unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70's interior embraced an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section, with a minimalist design that included a rotary gear selector and infotainment controller, creating a baroque spaceship-like ambiance.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX Type S presented a more subtle exterior design, with chicane-design LED running lights and taillights, and LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. The Type S badge marked the first appearance on an Acura SUV, and its understated appearance was complemented by 21-inch wheels and quad exhaust outlets. Inside, the MDX Type S featured a panoramic sunroof, Iconic Drive ambient lighting, and perforated Milano leather with aluminum interior trim. The Type S Advance added open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard. However, the MDX's design had some drawbacks, such as gloss black plastic on the dashboard that made controls challenging to find and use, and electronic transmission switchgear that could be confusing.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The GV70 also featured a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. However, despite the Sport+ drive mode's aggressive tuning, the GV70's chassis felt heavy and lacked the sharpness of competitors like the Acura RDX, BMW X3, or Porsche Macan. The steering was adequate but not precise enough for spirited driving, and the ride was firm even in Comfort mode.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S stood out with its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. It utilized a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The MDX Type S featured an Integrated Dynamics System with multiple driving modes, including an exclusive Lift mode for increased ground clearance. However, the performance upgrades didn't create a cohesive driving experience. The transmission was indecisive, the ride lacked compliance, and the brake pedal modulation was poor. The MDX Type S struggled to deliver a thrilling driving experience, and its fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 16.9 mpg during testing.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment. Despite its car-like roofline, it provided adequate headroom in both the front and back seats, comparable to competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and BMW X3. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, placing it in the middle ground of the segment. The interior design, while daring, compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seats with flexible second-row seating options and a spacious cargo area. The Type S Advance trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, wrapped in quilted leather upholstery. However, the seats didn't provide the expected support for spirited driving. The MDX's third row was best suited for children, and the interior design prioritized style over storage space. The cargo area offered 18.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The Type S Advance included a hands-free liftgate with a Walk Away Close function, adding convenience for loading and unloading.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 impressed with its tech offerings, featuring a standard 14.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The infotainment system's tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly, and the glass rotary controller added a touch of luxury. Higher trim levels offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 also included a digital-key feature, a fingerprint scanner for starting the car, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services provided additional features like remote camera activation and driver profiles.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a Digital Precision Cockpit with 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) on the center console. The TTI design had its drawbacks, including a lack of storage space and a partially blocked wireless charging pad. The MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In for voice commands. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display, but the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread speed limits.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and Highway Driving Assist. It also featured eight standard airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional driver-assist features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. However, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time.

The 2023 Acura MDX boasted a robust set of safety features as part of the Acura Watch suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist. It also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and optional front and rear parking sensors. The MDX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. However, the MDX's safety systems occasionally issued false warnings, and the adaptive cruise control could be slow to resume speed.