2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was often recommended for families due to its practical design and features. Its sliding side doors made it easy to load toddlers into rear-facing child seats, and the comfortable third-row seat accommodated additional passengers like grandparents without hassle. The Odyssey also offered significant cargo space, rivaling that of larger SUVs when the seats were folded or removed. Despite the minivan stigma, the Odyssey had a sense of style, especially in the Elite trim with its dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels and quality materials throughout the interior.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX Type S aimed for a more luxurious and sporty appeal. It featured chicane-design LED lights, 21-inch wheels, and a panoramic sunroof. Inside, the Type S Advance trim boasted perforated Milano leather, aluminum trim, and a leather-wrapped dashboard. However, some design choices, like the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, made it difficult to use certain controls. The MDX's body design also had a tapering effect that could make it look dented from certain angles. Despite these quirks, the MDX Type S was generally considered an attractive luxury SUV.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It was front-wheel drive only, unlike some competitors that offered all-wheel drive or hybrid options. The Odyssey had an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. During a test drive in Southern California, it averaged 22.6 mpg. While the Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, its brakes tended to overheat on long descents, leading to pedal vibration and noise.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine with 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. It used Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which could direct up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel. The MDX Type S also had an adaptive air suspension and various driving modes, including Sport+ and Lift mode. However, the performance upgrades didn't mesh well, leading to issues like an indecisive transmission, poor brake pedal modulation, and squealing tires. The MDX Type S averaged 16.9 mpg during testing, falling short of its EPA rating of 19 mpg in combined driving.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a low step-in height. Inside, the Elite trim featured quality leather, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The second-row Magic Slide seats allowed for flexible configurations, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. The Odyssey provided 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 144.9 cubic feet with the second row removed.

The 2023 Acura MDX had a versatile interior with three rows of seats and a choice of two or three second-row seating positions. The Type S Advance trim included 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, the seats were firm and didn't hold occupants in place well during spirited driving. The second-row seats could slide and tilt for easier third-row access, but the third row was best suited for children. The MDX offered 18.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like navigation, WiFi hotspot access, CabinWatch, and CabinTalk. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen and wireless headphones. However, the infotainment system felt outdated, and the navigation system was frustrating to use compared to smartphone-based options.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display, operated via a True Touchpad Interface (TTI). The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In. The Type S Advance trim added a 10.5-inch head-up display and a premium ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers. However, the TTI was not user-friendly, and the native voice recognition system was less effective than using Siri or Google Assistant.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. The Odyssey earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

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. It also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The MDX earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four stars for frontal-impact protection.