2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2023 Acura MDX

Since its grand debut at the 1992 Detroit Auto Show, the Grand Cherokee has maintained its status as a fan favorite. Jeep couldn't seem to manufacture enough of them to satisfy the demand year after year. The original design featured a sturdy, square box with a seven-slot grille, balancing a rugged and upscale look. Until the Wagoneer made its appearance, the Grand Cherokee was the epitome of luxury within Jeep's lineup, especially in the midsize SUV segment. The Grand Cherokee L version extended the classic style by over a foot without compromising the original appeal.

Our Hydro Blue model sported the High Altitude package, which blacked out the grille, logos, and the tops of the door handles. This package, combined with dark gray 21-inch wheels, black leather with gold stitching, and matte-finish light walnut accents along the dash and doors, imparted a bold look. The U-shaped fenders and square greenhouse were quintessentially Jeep, while modern elements like slim LED lighting, body-color bumpers with integrated exhaust tips, and a slightly curved black roofline contributed to a look meant to last.

The interiors on the upper trims were a sight to behold. Despite a few shortcomings such as hard plastics in the lower dash and rougher-grained leather on the steering wheel, around 90 percent of the interior felt worthy of a $70,000 price tag. A polished black dash on the passenger side concealed an optional touchscreen. The gear selector was a thick metal dial, and the driving modes and air suspension were controlled by tactile toggle switches. Diamond-shaped stitching adorned the seats and door panels, and aluminum speaker grilles added a final touch of luxury. While lower trims lacked some of these premium features, they still outshone competitors like the Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder, and anything from Chevrolet.

For 2023, Acura offered the MDX in both standard and Type S versions, each available with trim packages that added more features. Our test vehicle was a Type S Advance, featuring extra-cost Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid (white) interior, accumulating an MSRP of $74,995. At such a high price point, the Acura MDX set expectations for quality, luxury, and driving performance, yet it fell short in some areas.

The fourth-generation MDX was the first Acura SUV to carry the Type S badge, signifying a degree of performance, albeit subtly. The MDX Type S featured chicane-design LED running lights, LED headlights with automatic high-beam functionality, minor front styling tweaks, muted badges, and 21-inch wheels that gave it a proper stance. Quad exhaust outlets framed a rear diffuser, and a panoramic sunroof was standard across the lineup. The Type S Advance trim added perforated Milano leather, aluminum interior trim, a Sport Appearance package, open-pore wood, and a leather-wrapped dashboard.

While generally appealing inside and out, the MDX had some design quirks. From certain angles, the body appeared to dent inward at the doors, and the gloss black plastic on the dashboard complicated the usability of some controls. Acura's electronic transmission switchgear confused drivers unfamiliar with it, including this reviewer who occasionally struggled despite leasing two previous MDXs with similar configurations. Despite these minor flaws, the MDX remained a fundamentally attractive luxury SUV.

The Grand Cherokee L's weakest point was its standard engine—a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 producing 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Although well-insulated in terms of noise, this engine felt dated and underwhelming. Jeep had not yet introduced the superior turbo inline-six from the larger Wagoneer, making the sport mode's throttle response and the eight-speed automatic transmission's refusal to upshift in regular driving unimpressive.

For better performance, a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 was optional, delivering 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, significantly enhancing towing capability to 7,200 pounds from the V6’s 6,200 pounds. Despite fantastic sound quality, the V8's EPA ratings were less appealing—18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined for the V6 compared to the V8’s 14/22/17.

The Grand Cherokee L’s chassis compensated for engine shortcomings with solid, confidence-instilling handling. The air suspension ensured comfortable cornering with minimal head toss or excessive lean. Although the steering could be quicker, the handling performance set it apart in its class, rivaled only by high-performance models from Mercedes-AMG and BMW M.

Jeep offered three four-wheel drive (4WD) systems as optional add-ons for all trims except the Summit Reserve. With permanent 4WD systems engaging all four wheels continuously, Jeep's off-road capabilities were remarkable. In conjunction with the air suspension, the Grand Cherokee L could adjust to five different height settings, achieving a ground clearance of up to 10.9 inches. This level of off-road sophistication and technical prowess was unparalleled, save for Land Rover.

What set the 2023 Acura MDX Type S apart was its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. This represented a substantial increase over the base model but came with an added weight of 285 pounds.

Acura's 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters guided power through the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, capable of directing up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel. The system employed brake-based Agile Handling Assist to refine cornering.

The Integrated Dynamics System offered multiple driving modes, including Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, Sport+, and a unique Lift mode that raised ground clearance to 9.4 inches using the adaptive air suspension. Despite this, the MDX Type S's 21-inch wheels and all-season performance tires were not ideal for off-roading.

Exclusive Type S features such as a solid front suspension stabilizer bar, an Electro-Servo brake system, and larger 14.3-inch front brake rotors with upgraded Brembo calipers aimed to elevate performance but fell short of expectations. The MDX Type S did not consistently feel like an extension of the driver, often marred by an indecisive transmission, lack of ride compliance, and poor brake pedal modulation.

On the test route, the vehicle averaged 16.9 mpg compared to an EPA rating of 19 mpg combined. In city driving alone, it returned 17 mpg, a suboptimal figure given the engine's modest power boost over the standard V6. Although the turbo V6 sounded gratifying, its fuel economy was akin to that of a larger V8.

When driving with enthusiasm, the MDX Type S failed to provide cohesive performance. The Electro-Servo brakes, while intended to mimic the NSX, were untrustworthy for trail-braking into corners. The braking inconsistency undermined driver confidence, a critical aspect for performance-oriented vehicles.

Moreover, the Continental self-sealing tires began to squeal before losing grip, and overall suspension compliance fell short. The MDX Type S did not inspire the same trust as true performance SUVs, making the standard MDX with the A-Spec package a better, more predictable alternative.

The extended length of the Grand Cherokee L, especially the five-inch increase in the wheelbase, allowed for more second-row legroom, offering a spacious feel even with the front row seats occupied by taller individuals. Standard second-row captain's chairs, available on all trims, and optional bench seating for an extra $750, gave consumers some versatility. Higher trims featured a center console with two tiers of storage, four-zone climate control, and heated rear seats, with added ventilation on the Summit Reserve.

The third row, with power-folding capabilities, was accessible via a manual second row. While the third row was manageable, it remained tight for adults, deeming it more suitable for children under 12.

Visibility was good from the driver’s seat, enhanced by intuitive button placements around the touchscreen. Storage options, including 47 cubic feet behind the second row and 85 cubic feet with both rows folded, were ample, making the Grand Cherokee L a leader in cargo capacity within its class.

Acura ensured the 2023 MDX featured functionality alongside luxury. Standard across all MDX versions were three rows of seats, adjustable for 2-3 seating positions in the second row, and a cargo area with abundant floor space, though our fully equipped test vehicle offered premium enhancements.

A triple-zone automatic climate control system, 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, and supple quilted leather upholstery characterized the Type S Advance. Despite extensive adjustments, the driver's seat was noted for being more firm than enveloping, affecting comfort in spirited driving.

Removing the center section of the second-row seat allowed for easier access to the third row, which, while snug for adults, was perfectly suitable for children. Rear passengers enjoyed heated outboard positions in higher trims, while cargo-carrying capability included underfloor storage.

Comparing cargo capacities, the MDX provided 18.1 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 39.1 cubic feet with the third row down, and up to 71.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. These figures fell short of the Grand Cherokee L’s 17, 47, and 85 cubic feet, respectively, making the Jeep more desirable for those prioritizing cargo space.

The Laredo and Altitude trims featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel. Higher trims upgraded to a 10.1-inch touchscreen and included navigation. All systems ran on Uconnect 5, recognized for its quick responsiveness despite some legibility issues. The McIntosh sound system with 19 speakers, while good, slightly lacked rear surround imaging.

The impressive suite of tech features included night vision, Active Driving Assist, and a passenger screen that controlled various functions independently from the rear system. The Grand Cherokee L's tech features outshone many competitors, thanks to innovations like Amazon Fire TV streaming capability and a head-up display with multiple viewing options.

Acura’s Digital Precision Cockpit comprised a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display, albeit not touch-sensitive. The True Touchpad Interface (TTI) on the center console faced criticism for being non-intuitive and diminishing storage space. Despite these challenges, the system integrated well-known features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and AcuraLink with subscription services.

A variety of sound systems were available, with the top-tier ELS Studio 3D delivering exceptional audio clarity. The 10.5-inch head-up display included in the Advance package added convenience, though some system misreads, like traffic sign recognition errors, posed reliability concerns.

The 2023 Grand Cherokee L earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023 and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, except for a four-star score in rollover tests. Standard safety features included driver and passenger front knee airbags, though rear side thorax airbags were not available. Additional standard features comprised various emergency braking systems, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control, with optional enhancements available on higher trims.

AcuraWatch, a suite of driving assistance and collision avoidance features, was standard in the MDX. Included were forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, and more. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert came standard, with additional features on higher trims.

Despite generally accurate and refined operations, the system occasionally faltered, issuing false warnings or braking unnecessarily. The MDX held strong safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, ensuring robust protection in the event of a crash.