2022 Toyota Venza vs 2023 Acura MDX

Toyota resurrected the Venza nameplate for the 2021 model, using its proven Toyota New Global Architecture K (TGNA-K) platform. This platform supported various other successful Toyota and Lexus models, ensuring a durable and reliable base. The 2022 Toyota Venza measured 186.6 inches in length, 73.0 inches in width, and stood 65.9 inches tall, with a ground clearance of 7.8 inches and a 105.9-inch wheelbase. Its design placed it at the shorter end of the midsize crossover SUV segment, providing sleek and modern aesthetics that could have easily fit into the Lexus lineup.

The Venza's body had a deeply sculpted side that formed the rear fender, adding a sense of power and dynamism. The tailgate featured a distinctive horizontal LED stripe, while the nose had a unique overhang beyond the front wheels, emphasizing its urban-friendly design rather than off-road capabilities. Inside, the Venza exuded Lexus-like elegance with high-quality materials and an ergonomic layout. The intuitive positioning of the 8-inch or optional 12.3-inch touchscreen display atop the center stack, combined with comfortable and supportive front seats, added to its premium feel.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX Type S strived to blend subtlety and sportiness. Available in different trims, including the feature-rich Type S Advance, the MDX’s price varied from $49,550 to $73,200. Opting for the Type S Advance included luxurious extras like the Apex Blue Pearl paint and Orchid interior. Despite the aspirational price tag, certain elements left room for improvement in terms of luxury and driving dynamics.

The fourth-generation MDX was the first Acura SUV to carry the Type S badge, marked by subtle styling cues. It featured chicane-design LED running lights, taillights, and automatic high-beam LED headlights. The minor front styling changes and understated badges complemented the standard panoramic sunroof and 21-inch wheels, giving it a composed stance. The interior housed perforated Milano leather, aluminum trim, and a Sport Appearance package with additional luxury touches such as open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard.

The MDX generally impressed with its stylish and functional interior, but certain aesthetic decisions, like the body taper at the doors, inadvertently suggested a large dent. Furthermore, the gloss black plastic on the dashboard complicated the usability of some controls. Despite these quibbles, the MDX Type S stood out as a sophisticated luxury SUV, albeit with some functional compromises.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine with three electric motors to produce 219 horsepower collectively. This setup offered a blend of electric-only driving for short distances and various driving modes (Normal, Eco, and Sport) to optimize efficiency and performance. The regenerative braking system further aided in maintaining the lithium-ion battery charge. The Venza delivered a sprightly driving experience with agile handling akin to the Camry, suited for city maneuvering rather than aggressive cornering.

Meanwhile, 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—a significant upgrade over the standard V6. However, the Type S's increased weight slightly dampened its performance edge. The 10-speed automatic transmission paired with the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system enabled responsive handling, particularly evident during hard acceleration out of corners.

The Integrated Dynamics System offered varied driving modes, including an exclusive Lift mode raising ground clearance from 7.3 inches to 9.4 inches. Despite these sophisticated performance upgrades, the MDX Type S fell short of expectations. The transmission's inconsistent behavior, lack of ride compliance, and poor brake pedal modulation detracted from a cohesive driving experience. Furthermore, its fuel efficiency lagged, averaging 16.9 mpg overall in tests—below the EPA's 19 mpg rating.

While the MDX Type S offered exciting aspects like the Electro-Servo brake system and 21-inch wheels, the lack of harmony among its components led to a less predictable driving experience. Opting for Sport+ mode improved drivetrain consistency but at a significant fuel economy cost. Issues such as early-release brake actuators and squealing performance tires added to its performance woes, making the standard MDX with the A-Spec package a more sensible and predictable alternative.

The 2022 Toyota Venza provided seating for five across two rows. The front row offered ample comfort with bucket seats, while the 60/40-split folding second-row bench was spacious enough for three adults, boasting 45.2 inches of hip room. Despite the lower roofline compared to taller SUVs, the Venza's cabin felt roomy, particularly with the available Star Gaze fixed panoramic glass roof on the Limited trim.

Inside, the Venza had various convenience features, including an overhead console with LED map lights and a Safety Connect button. Higher trims featured power-adjustable front seats and electric parking brakes, enhancing overall functionality. The cabin included an array of cupholders, bottle holders, and a spacious glove compartment. Storage solutions continued with 28.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and up to 55.1 cubic feet with the seats folded flat, maintaining practicality despite the hybrid battery's under-seat placement.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seats, allowing configurations for either two or three second-row seating positions, balancing passenger comfort and cargo utility. Top trims, like the Type S Advance, featured luxurious 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, during tests, these seats were noted to be firm and less enveloping than expected for a performance-oriented model.

The MDX's second-row seats could slide for better third-row access, though the latter remained tight for adults. Unique design choices, such as the wrist rest for the True Touchpad Interface, occupied valuable center console space, limiting storage options. In the cargo area, the MDX excelled with 18.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded, ensuring ample room for road trips.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a sophisticated hybrid powertrain, emphasizing ease of use. Its Predicted Efficient Drive (PED) system utilized navigation data to optimize battery usage, enhancing fuel efficiency without requiring charging infrastructure. The Venza's infotainment system varied by trim, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen on LE and XLE models, advancing to a 12.3-inch screen on the Limited trim. Features included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, multiple USB ports, and optional upgrades like a nine-speaker JBL audio system and a head-up display.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX's Digital Precision Cockpit included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. However, the infotainment system lacked touchscreen capability, relying on the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) instead. The TTI diverted from conventional touchscreen operations, presenting usability challenges and occupying potential storage space. Despite this, the MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa Built-In, and advanced navigation features, complemented by a robust 25-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system in the Type S Advance.

The Acura's HUD added further driving assistance with clear navigation, speed displays, and more, though occasional traffic sign recognition inaccuracies were noted.

The 2022 Toyota Venza excelled in safety, boasting the Toyota Star Safety System and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, encompassing features like stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more. Additional standards included eight airbags, a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and hill-start assist. These comprehensive safety measures earned the Venza a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.

Similarly, the 2023 Acura MDX included Acura Watch—a suite comprising forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with low-speed following, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, and Traffic Jam Assist. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and optional front and rear parking sensors were also standard. Although generally effective, minor issues like false lane departure warnings and occasional adaptive cruise control delays were evident. During evaluations, the MDX misinterpreted an overhead exit sign as an obstacle, briefly braking, though it maintained strong crash-test ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA.