2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its iconic design, with no major exterior changes, maintaining its distinctive boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood reminiscent of the original version and classic Series Land Rovers. Despite these nostalgic elements, the Defender boasted a modern design with rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a unique personality. The larger size of the modern Defender translated into more interior space and better ergonomics, offering generous headroom and legroom, and a comfortable driving position with good visibility. The interior design emphasized the Defender's rugged character, featuring a mix of leather and suede upholstery, bare metal, and exposed screws, which made it more practical for off-road adventures without the worry of ruining a luxurious interior.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX, particularly in the Type S Advance trim, aimed to deliver a blend of luxury and performance. The MDX Type S featured subtle styling cues, such as chicane-design LED lights, 21-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets, giving it a refined yet sporty appearance. Inside, the MDX offered a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, and high-quality materials like perforated Milano leather and open-pore wood. However, some design choices, like the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, made it challenging to use certain controls. The MDX Type S was equipped with advanced features, but some elements, like the electronic transmission switchgear, were not intuitive, leading to occasional confusion. Overall, the MDX Type S was a luxurious SUV with a few design quirks that detracted from its overall appeal.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, including a base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a mid-level 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The highlight was the new-for-2022 V8 engine, delivering 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. The V8 model featured an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique transmission and suspension tuning for sportier handling. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Defender was comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and minimized noise from the 22-inch tires. The Defender's 4WD system, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance made it a formidable off-roader, with an 8,201-pound towing capacity.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S stood out with its 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 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, with issues like an indecisive transmission, lack of ride compliance, and poor brake pedal modulation. The MDX Type S struggled to deliver a thrilling driving experience, with a fuel economy of 16.9 mpg, falling short of its EPA rating. The turbocharged V6 provided quick acceleration but at the cost of high fuel consumption. The MDX Type S was more agreeable in Normal mode but lacked the dynamic cohesion expected from a performance-oriented SUV.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatile interior configurations, with the two-door Defender 90 featuring 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, albeit with limited cargo space. The four-door Defender 110 provided more options, with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. The three-row model offered 11.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 70.4 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The Defender's interior design emphasized functionality, with easy-to-reach controls and ample storage space, including a large center-console storage bin that could be equipped with refrigeration. Optional exterior cargo solutions, like a basket-style roof rack and side-mounted cargo boxes, added to the Defender's practicality.

The 2023 Acura MDX provided three rows of seating, with options for two or three second-row seating positions. 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 offer the expected support for enthusiastic driving. The MDX's second-row seat could slide forward and back, but the third row was best suited for children. The interior design prioritized style over storage space, with limited storage options in the center console. The MDX offered a decent amount of cargo space, with 18.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The Type S Advance trim included a hands-free liftgate with a Walk Away Close function, adding convenience for loading and unloading cargo.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came equipped with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The user interface was well-designed, with easy-to-navigate graphics and menu layouts, although the touchscreen required a firm touch to respond. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system, enhancing the Defender's off-road capabilities.

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 posed challenges, as it was less intuitive than traditional touchscreens and occupied valuable console space. The MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Amazon Alexa Built-In, providing familiar voice recognition functions. The Type S Advance trim included a 10.5-inch head-up display and a high-end ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers, delivering impressive sound quality. However, the native voice recognition system was less effective, and the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features like lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. However, the Defender lacked safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which was not uncommon for luxury vehicles.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured Acura Watch, a suite of driving assistance and collision avoidance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The MDX also included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with additional features like parking sensors and a surround-view camera system available on certain trims. The MDX received good crash-test ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick+ 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 was slow to resume speed after lane changes.