2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim did not impress with its new XRT treatment. It lacked a suspension lift and more aggressive tires, which would have made it more convincing. The side steps, while useful for roof rack access, impeded entry and exit and reduced the breakover angle for off-roading. The XRT trim, priced higher than the SE and SEL trims but lower than the Limited and Calligraphy trims, included all the equipment from the SEL and its Convenience Package. The test vehicle, in Portofino Gray with a black cloth interior, offered little visual contrast and felt like viewing an old black-and-white image. However, the interior patterns and brightwork made the cabin a pleasant place to spend time, demonstrating thoughtful design and high quality for the price point.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX Type S Advance trim aimed for a higher level of quality, luxury, and driving dynamism but fell short in some respects. The fourth-generation MDX, the first Acura SUV to wear the Type S badge, featured subtle styling modifications, 21-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets. The interior boasted perforated Milano leather, aluminum trim, and a Sport Appearance package. However, the body tapering at the doors gave the appearance of a massive dent from some angles, and the gloss black plastic on the dashboard made it challenging to find and use some controls. Despite these issues, the MDX Type S remained fundamentally attractive as a luxury SUV.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This engine, while adequate for reaching freeway speeds and cruising, lacked the power for quick acceleration or climbing hills. The eight-speed automatic transmission performed well, with Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes available. The test vehicle averaged 22.3 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 24 mpg. The ride quality was good, with excellent suspension isolation and a remarkably quiet cabin. However, the XRT treatment was purely cosmetic, and the running boards could detract from performance, limiting its off-road capabilities.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine 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 various driving modes, including an exclusive Lift mode for increased ground clearance. Despite the performance enhancements, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive driving experience. The transmission was indecisive, the ride lacked compliance, and the brake pedal response was inconsistent. The test vehicle averaged 16.9 mpg, below the EPA rating of 19 mpg. The MDX Type S was more enjoyable in Sport+ mode but at the cost of fuel economy.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT offered a dual-zone automatic climate control system, stain-resistant fabric seats, and rear air conditioning vents. The eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat provided good comfort, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats were spacious and comfortable, with ample legroom and foot room. The Santa Fe had 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The hands-free power-opening "Smart Tailgate" was convenient but could open unintentionally.

The 2023 Acura MDX provided three rows of seats, with the option to remove the center section of the second row for easier access to the third row. The Type S Advance trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, but the seats were firm and did not hold the driver in place well. The second-row seats were comfortable and supportive, with heating in the outboard positions. The third row was best suited for children. The cargo area offered 18.1 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expandable to 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat. The hands-free liftgate with Walk Away Close was a thoughtful feature.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and Bluelink connected services with a three-year subscription. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and clean on-screen graphics. The Santa Fe also featured digital key technology for Android smartphones and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system.

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 TTI design was not intuitive, and the touchpad took up valuable center console space. The MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display (HUD) and the Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers. However, the native voice recognition system was frustrating to use, and the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Santa Fe also featured Junction Turning Detection, Safe Exit Assist, and an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system. The Santa Fe earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance score.

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, rear cross-traffic alert, and optional front and rear 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 rating from the NHTSA, with four-star ratings for driver and front passenger protection in the frontal-impact test.