2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2023 Acura MDX

When shoppers looked at the 2023 Acura MDX, they saw model variations from the standard to the Type S, each with trim options designed to up the luxury ante. The basic model included the Technology, A-Spec, and Advance packages, while the MDX Type S came standard or featured an upgraded Advance package. Pricing spanned from $49,550 to $73,200, excluding a $1,195 destination charge.

Our test model, the Type S Advance, was swathed in a stunning Apex Blue Pearl exterior and an Orchid (white) interior, bringing the MSRP to a high $74,995. This price tag set elevated expectations around quality, luxury, and driving dynamics, but Acura didn't always meet these lofty goals.

The MDX, entering its fourth generation and sporting its debut Type S trim, kept a low profile with subtlety stealing the show. Design elements like chicane LED running lights, LED taillights, and headlamps with automatic high-beam were standard across trims, while 21-inch wheels imbued the Type S with a commanding presence. The quad exhaust outlets and rear diffuser panel rounded off its sleek exterior.

A panoramic sunroof came standard, enhancing the driving experience for all passengers. Interior highlights included the unique Iconic Drive ambient lighting, available in various thematic flavors inspired by world-famous racetracks and drives. The Type S hailed luxury with perforated Milano leather, aluminum trims, and a sport package, whereas the Type S Advance flaunted open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard.

Despite the overall aesthetic appeal, a few angles could make the MDX appear as though it had an unfortunate dent on the side due to body tapering at the doors. Gloss black plastic on the dashboard was another issue, complicating usability of some controls, and Acura's electronic shift buttons continued to confuse, even after years of use. Nonetheless, the MDX retained its status as a fundamentally attractive luxury SUV.

Unlike some of Hyundai's more adventurous designs, the Santa Fe's 2023 model preferred restraint, sporting a design that was pleasing to look at, if not exactly revolutionary. Anticipation rode high for a visual overhaul expected in its 2024 makeover.

The 2023 Santa Fe was a continuation of its 2022 counterpart, a five-passenger SUV available in five trims: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. Front-wheel drive (FWD) came standard, while all-wheel drive (AWD) was an option across all trims.

Our test vehicle, the Calligraphy AWD, showcased a Stormy Sea exterior matched with a black-on-black interior. The base price started at $42,600, with AWD and floor mats adding to the MSRP, bringing it to $45,845 after including the $1,335 destination charge.

Stylistically, the Santa Fe’s unique elements included expansive grilles characteristic of the Hyundai family and sleek LED headlights. Beyond this, the design stayed relatively neutral.

Inside, the black-on-black interior of the Calligraphy trim felt a trifle too monotone, though the quality was undisputable. Hyundai offered beige and grey interior options on lower trims to add visual contrast. The seats, particularly the Nappa leather ones in the Calligraphy, were both comfortable and elegant. Heated and cooled front seats were standard in the Calligraphy, with heated seats extending to the second row.

The Santa Fe excelled in loading several premium features into its upper trims. A large panoramic sunroof, head-up display, and an array of comfort features made the cabin feel upscale. However, raising the driver’s seat too high could make one feel uncomfortably close to the steering wheel, a minor nuisance.

The real distinction of the 2023 Acura MDX Type S lay under its hood, housing a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine capable of 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. These figures reflected a significant boost over the standard MDX’s 3.5-liter V6, but the Type S also bore an additional 285 pounds, balancing the performance gains.

The turbo V6 paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, driving all four wheels via Acura’s advanced Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which could channel up to 70% of the engine’s power to a single rear wheel. Agile Handling Assist, a brake-based technology, also aided in tighter cornering.

The MDX Type S featured an Integrated Dynamics System with Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, and an exclusive Lift mode, leveraging the adaptive air suspension to increase the ground clearance from 7.3 inches to 9.4 inches.

Comprehensive performance upgrades like the solid front stabilizer bar, Electro-Servo brake system, upgraded front brake calipers by Brembo, and larger rotors aimed to position the MDX Type S as a more thrilling ride similar to the Audi SQ7 or BMW X5 M50i. Yet, these changes didn’t come together seamlessly. The Type S frequently felt disjointed, with flaws such as an indecisive transmission, lackluster ride comfort, noisy tires, and inconsistent brake modulation. Its fuel economy hovered at a disappointing 16.9 mpg on an evaluation route varying from city to mountain road driving.

Despite engaging driving modes, the MDX Type S could not assure a fully cohesive driving experience. Turbo lag, unpredictable transmission behavior, and occasional engine sluggishness in Normal mode detracted from its appeal, particularly for a performance-labeled variant.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe delivered versatile engine options across its trims. SE, SEL, and XRT models came with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This engine was mated to a traditional eight-speed automatic gearbox. The Limited and Calligraphy trims had a turbocharged version of the same engine, generating a more robust 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Hyundai’s Santa Fe offered FWD as standard, with AWD as an option on all trims, controlled through a drive-mode selector featuring Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart modes. Paddle shifters on the steering wheel added a sporty touch to our test Calligraphy model.

The turbocharged engine provided a significant power upgrade, dramatically enhancing acceleration and passing performance. The Santa Fe Calligraphy accelerated briskly, with the turbo engine showing no lag, offering immediate power that was both smooth and quiet.

Handling was fluid in Comfort mode, showing minimal body roll during cornering. Despite the potential pitfalls of dual-clutch systems, Hyundai had effectively mitigated any clunkiness at low speeds.

Although we did not test the AWD or trail capabilities off-road, nor did we tow with the vehicle, we noted the Santa Fe’s towing capacities: 2,000 pounds for the non-turbo and 3,500 pounds for the turbo with trailer brakes. Santa Fe might not rival premium SUVs like the BMW X5, but it offered commendable performance for its price bracket.

The 2023 Acura MDX excelled in functionality, boasting three rows of seating and the option to adjust the second row between two or three seats. Our Type S Advance arrived fully loaded, featuring a three-zone automatic climate control and 16-way power-adjustable front seats offering heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, despite adjustable bolsters, the seating was more firm than enveloping, which was less than ideal for spirited driving.

Standard seven-passenger seating could be configured for a pass-through between rows, thanks to a removable second-row center section. The second-row seats in the Type S Advance included heating for the outer positions and slid forward for third-row access. Nonetheless, the third row was tight for adults and best suited for children.

Interior storage was not as prioritized, with limited space in the front center armrest bin, primarily due to the elaborate center console dedicated to the True Touchpad Interface and other control elements. Cargo solutions, though, were well-thought-out. The MDX offered 18.1 cubic feet of storage behind the third row, 39.1 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 71.4 cubic feet with rear seats folded flat. The cargo area also featured an underfloor bin and a reversible panel, along with hooks for securing grocery bags.

Hyundai’s decision to skip a cramped third row in the 2023 Santa Fe delivered more rear-seat legroom and better cargo capacity. Passengers in the rear had a class-leading 41.7 inches of legroom, a substantial advantage over many competitors.

Behind the second row, the Santa Fe provided 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding the second row down increased the space to 72.1 cubic feet, bolstered by an underfloor storage compartment.

Seat comfort was a highlight, especially in trims from SEL onward, featuring an eight-way power driver’s seat and heated front seats. Dual-zone climate control and a hands-free smart liftgate added convenience, with the Limited trim offering more luxury features like ventilated front seats and heated rear seats.

Still, some drawbacks existed. Raising the driver’s seat too high pushed you alarmingly close to the steering wheel. The broad center console, though excellent for storage, could infringe upon driver leg and hip room.

Acura’s Digital Precision Cockpit for the 2023 MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel alongside a similarly sized infotainment display. However, the latter lacked touch sensitivity, relying instead on the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) for control.

The TTI was a mixed bag. It took up valuable console space, required a learning curve, and partially obstructed the wireless charging pad. Voice recognition through the built-in system was frustrating, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enabled through Siri and Google Assistant alleviated some issues. Alexa was also built into the system, enhancing convenience.

The MDX came equipped with a Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D audio system boasting 25 speakers, delivering impressive sound clarity and quality. Additional features included SiriusXM satellite radio, a native navigation system, and AcuraLink connected services, now with a three-year complimentary subscription.

With the Advance package, a 10.5-inch head-up display was added, though traffic sign recognition occasionally misread information, impacting accuracy.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe showcased robust in-vehicle technology. Trims from SE to XRT featured a standard 4.2-inch color LCD, while higher trims like Limited and Calligraphy included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

The base SE trim’s infotainment system was straightforward, with an 8-inch display capable of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims benefited from a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Voice recognition worked well for navigation and address queries but was less effective for music commands and climate control.

The interface's graphics weren’t the flashiest, but the logical arrangement of home screen icons made navigation easy. While some settings required deeper menu navigation, they revealed a significant level of customization.

The 2023 Acura MDX came with Acura Watch, a suite of driving assistance and collision avoidance systems including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning and assistance, adaptive cruise control, and Traffic Jam Assist. Additionally, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with further enhancements available on higher trims.

Despite its comprehensive safety tech, the MDX sometimes issued false lane-departure alerts and slower-than-expected cruise control adaptations. A surprising misidentification of an overhead sign as an obstacle during testing led to a brief automatic braking incident, raising concerns.

Still, the MDX earned good marks in crash tests, achieving an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and an overall five-star NHTSA rating, although it received four stars for front passenger protection in frontal-impact tests.

Hyundai covered ample ground with Santa Fe’s standard safety ADAS, including forward-collision warning with extensive detection capabilities, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping and centering assistance. The Santa Fe also included driver monitoring, a safe-exit system, and a rear-seat reminder.

SEL and above trims equipped Highway Driving Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability for a more comfortable driving experience. The comprehensive safety tech provided peace of mind during drives, effectively reminding drivers of rear-seat passengers and safe exits.

The Santa Fe received top accolades in crash tests, with a five-star overall NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation. The Santa Fe excelled in all crashworthiness tests, with superior headlights in the Limited and Calligraphy trims.