2023 Cadillac XT5 vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to deliver affordable luxury, blending high-end materials, advanced tech, and a powerful engine while keeping the price reasonable. However, the cabin's design seemed more fitting for a Buick or a top-trim Chevy rather than a luxury brand like Cadillac. Despite this, the interior was intuitively laid out and spacious across both rows, with above-average cargo space of 30 cubic feet behind the second-row seats. Cadillac retained many physical controls, which made the XT5 feel more intuitive but also somewhat dated. The cabin lacked memorable or unique features, unlike competitors such as the Porsche Macan and Volvo XC60, which offered more modern and stylish interiors.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX, especially in the Type S Advance trim, set high expectations for quality, luxury, and driving dynamism. The fourth-generation MDX was the first Acura SUV to wear the Type S badge, featuring subtle yet sophisticated design elements like chicane-design LED lights, 21-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets. The interior boasted perforated Milano leather, aluminum trim, and a Sport Appearance package, with the Type S Advance adding open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard. However, some design choices, such as the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, made it challenging to use certain controls, and the electronic transmission switchgear could be confusing.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Acceleration from 0-60 mph was in the high-seven-second range, and the engine could sound rough under heavy throttle. An available V6 engine offered 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, providing a more suitable companion in all situations. However, the XT5 lacked notable driving excitement with either engine. Handling was decent, but ride quality suffered on broken pavement, with more vibration and noise in the cabin than expected. The XT5's fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined for the turbo-four with FWD, to 18/25/21 mpg city/highway/combined for the V6 with AWD.

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 an Integrated Dynamics System with multiple driving modes, including an exclusive Lift mode for increased ground clearance. Performance enhancements included a solid front suspension stabilizer bar, an Electro-Servo brake system, and larger front brake rotors with upgraded Brembo calipers. Despite these upgrades, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive driving experience, with issues like an indecisive transmission, lack of ride compliance, and poor brake pedal modulation. The MDX Type S averaged 16.9 mpg during testing, falling short of its EPA rating of 19 mpg combined.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's interior featured more hard plastics and cheaper materials than expected, but Cadillac incorporated plenty of useful storage spaces. The center console storage bin was deeper than expected, and front-seat passengers had good ergonomics. The maximum 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats was easy to access, thanks to a wide liftgate opening and low load floor. Folding the rear seats expanded the space to 63 cubic feet, which was generous for its class.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seats with flexible second-row seating options and a cargo area with ample floor space. 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 slide forward and back, but the third row was best suited for children. The MDX's cargo area provided 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 power liftgate and underfloor storage bin added to the MDX's practicality.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 featured the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and dual-zone climate controls. The system was intuitive and responsive, with physical buttons for the climate system and steering wheel controls. Cadillac offered a Bose premium audio system with 14 speakers, wireless charging, and navigation. The CUE system was competitive in its segment, though not as advanced as Volvo's Google-based system.

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 screen was not touch-sensitive, requiring the use of a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) on the center console. The TTI design reduced available storage space and partially blocked the wireless charging pad. The MDX featured wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa Built-In, SiriusXM satellite radio, and AcuraLink connected services with a complimentary three-year subscription. The Type S Advance trim added a 10.5-inch head-up display (HUD) with navigation instructions and driving assistance status.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's last full crash test results were from the 2021 model, which earned top "Good" scores in all crash test areas, a "Marginal" score for its headlights, and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, front and rear parking sensors, lane-keep assist, and more. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and automatic parking assist.

The 2023 Acura MDX included Acura Watch, a suite of driving assistance and collision avoidance systems. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and Traffic Jam Assist. The MDX also had a blind-spot monitoring system and rear cross-traffic alert. The MDX earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings for driver and front passenger protection in the frontal-impact test.