2023 Acura MDX vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson rode on a new platform and was offered in the U.S. as a long-wheelbase model with two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. Up front, it featured Hyundai's new vehicle face, with a parametric grille hiding standard LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. The headlights and daytime running lights formed a unique shape resembling the wings of the Aztec Spirit Bird. The side profile mirrored the Hyundai Elantra's design, with a silver D-pillar creating a floating roof effect. The rear boasted toothy taillights illuminated by LEDs in all but the base model, helping the Tucson stand out among compact SUVs.

The Tucson rode on either 17- or 19-inch wheels, depending on the trim level. High-end trims featured premium fascias, front and rear skid plates, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof. Standard features included roof rails (except on the SE trim), body-color side-mirror housing, solar glass, and acoustic laminated glass. Upgrading beyond the base model added heated outside mirrors with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic avoidance assist indicators, turn signals, front aero wipers, and an optional sunroof. The cabin was well-appointed, with standard stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats, sport combination, and leather-trimmed seats available on higher trims. Horizontal lines across the dashboard and an uncluttered aesthetic gave the interior a sense of spaciousness.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S arrived in Type S Advance trim 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 minor front styling modifications. The Type S had 21-inch wheels, quad exhaust outlets, and a rear diffuser panel. A panoramic sunroof was standard, and most models featured Iconic Drive ambient lighting themes. The Type S interior included perforated Milano leather, aluminum trim, and a Sport Appearance package with a black headliner and stainless steel pedal covers. The Type S Advance added open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard.

Despite its appealing design, the MDX Type S had some drawbacks. The body tapering at the doors could make it look like it had a massive dent from certain angles. Gloss black plastic on the dashboard made it challenging to find and use some controls. Acura's electronic transmission switchgear was also confusing. However, the MDX Type S remained a fundamentally attractive luxury SUV.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came in two powertrain variants: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. The ICE engine delivered 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid powertrain offered 226 combined horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid powertrain made the Tucson more powerful than the Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

Front-wheel drive Tucsons with the ICE engine had an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg combined. Adding AWD reduced these figures to 24 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined. The Tucson Hybrid models were more fuel-efficient, with 37 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 37 mpg combined. The most efficient Tucson Hybrid achieved 38 mpg city/highway/combined. The forthcoming Tucson PHEV was expected to have a total system output of 261 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque, with an estimated 25 miles of all-electric range.

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 Integrated Dynamics System provided Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, with an exclusive Lift mode for increased ground clearance. The Type S had a solid front suspension stabilizer bar, an Electro-Servo brake system, and larger 14.3-inch front brake rotors with upgraded Brembo front calipers.

Despite the performance enhancements, the MDX Type S fell short. The transmission was indecisive, the ride lacked compliance, and the brake pedal modulation was poor. The engine's power increase over the standard V6 was not substantial, resulting in dismal fuel economy. The MDX Type S averaged 16.9 mpg, below the EPA rating of 19 mpg combined. The suspension transmitted bumps and cracks into the cabin harshly, and the tires squealed before losing grip. The MDX Type S lacked the cohesion and predictability expected from a performance model.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered a spacious and well-appointed interior, comparable to competitors like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, and Ford Escape. It featured a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. Heated front seats, ventilated front seats, memory for the driver’s seat, and an eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat were also available. The tilt and telescoping steering wheel was standard, with leather-wrapping and heating on higher trims.

The new Tucson platform provided more room for passengers and cargo, with more passenger volume than the CR-V, RAV4, and Escape. The rear seats offered two inches more legroom than the RAV4, and the 74.8 cubic-foot cargo area was comparable to the Forester, RAV4, and CR-V. The rear featured a 60-40 split-folding bench seat and a dual-level cargo floor on ICE models. A hands-free liftgate was available on mid-grade models and up.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seats with 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, wrapped in quilted leather upholstery. The second-row seat could be adjusted for more third-row space, but the rearmost position did not provide as much legroom as expected. The third row was best for children, with power-operated release buttons for easier access.

The MDX's cabin prioritized style over storage space, with a small bin under the front center armrest and a wrist rest partially blocking the wireless charging pad. The cargo area offered 18.1 cubic feet of 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 folded flat. The Type S Advance included a hands-free liftgate with a Walk Away Close function.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and two USB ports. Higher trims added satellite radio, Blue Link mobile app compatibility, additional USB outlets, rear air conditioning vents, and dual-zone automatic climate control. A 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen was available, but required plugging in Apple and Android devices for CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screen was embedded within a black plastic head unit, making it difficult to find the right button while driving.

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) on the center console. The TTI design reduced center console storage space and partially blocked the wireless charging pad. The MDX included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In. Additional features included SiriusXM satellite radio, a native navigation system, and AcuraLink connected services with a complimentary three-year subscription. The Type S Advance added a 10.5-inch head-up display (HUD) showing navigation instructions, driving assistance status, and warnings.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. It included Hyundai SmartSense Safety Features, such as forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, a driver attention monitor, rear occupant alert, speed limit assist, and leading vehicle departure alert. Optional features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, and remote parking assist. Hyundai backed the Tucson with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, and a 7-year anti-perforation warranty.

The 2023 Acura MDX included Acura Watch, with 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, rear cross-traffic alert, 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 IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it earned four-star protection ratings for the driver and front passenger in the frontal-impact test.