2023 Kia Sportage vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Kia Sportage had evolved significantly in its design over its previous generations. Initially presenting a quirky and somewhat dull exterior, the fifth generation of the Sportage embraced an entirely new and striking look. When it appeared in showrooms, it gave off somewhat French vibes, reminiscent of Renault, Peugeot, or Citroen. This wasn’t a disparaging remark; the Sportage’s new look was exciting, exotic, and likely to turn heads. Its standout features included eye-catching boomerang-shaped daytime running lights (DRLs) framing its distinctive grille, and textured metal trim on the D-Pillars, which added a touch of sophistication.

Kia offered the Sportage with seven different trim levels for 2023: LX, EX, SX, SX Prestige, and the new X-Line, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige. Inside, Kia opted for more durable synthetic leather upholstery, with genuine leather present on the steering wheel and shift knob in higher trims.

From the driver's perspective, visibility was excellent due to a large front windshield and a low beltline. Depending on the trim, the dash showcased over two feet of display screens, impressively modern though the rest of the cabin kept to a standard compact-crossover look with practical but aesthetically typical combinations of hard-wearing and piano-black plastics.

The 2023 Acura MDX hit the market with both standard and Type S versions, each neatly divided across trim levels like Technology, A-Spec, and Advance for the standard, and standard or Advance for the Type S. The MDX Type S notably bore the Type S badge for the first time. Its exterior aesthetic included chicane-design LED running lights and taillights, quad exhaust outlets framing a rear diffuser panel, and the distinctive luxury expected of a high-end SUV.

Despite its stylish appeal, critics pointed out the body’s tapering at the doors made it look as if it had dents from certain angles. The MDX's luxury interior featured perforated Milano leather and open-pore wood within the Type S Advance trim. However, the vehicle’s elaborate design didn’t come without usability compromises; gloss black plastic on the dashboard hindered control accessibility, and the electronic transmission switchgear continued to confuse users even years after introduction.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered its gasoline-powered version with a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine delivering 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. Although it touted better power and efficiency compared to its predecessor’s 2.4-liter engine, the lack of a turbocharged option stood out. This naturally aspirated engine provided modest power, and the eight-speed automatic transmission mated to it often highlighted its limitations, especially at higher altitudes.

The Sportage’s fuel efficiency stood at 25 mpg city and 32 mpg highway for front-wheel drive models, dropping slightly for all-wheel drive variants. The new X-Line and X-Pro trims added a rugged aesthetic, with the latter featuring BF Goodrich all-terrain tires and drive modes tailored for off-road driving. Thanks to 8.3 inches of ground clearance, the Sportage could handle typical off-pavement challenges competently. However, the off-road enhancements led to compromises in on-road driving, with notable leaning in corners and increased road noise.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S came with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, a significant boost over the standard MDX’s non-turbo V6. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), the Type S offered an engaging driving experience, with the AWD system capable of directing up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel.

Despite these enhancements, the MDX Type S didn't fully harmonize its performance upgrades. The vehicle felt less cohesive due to issues with the transmission’s responsiveness, brake pedal modulation, excessive fuel consumption, and an overall lack of suspension compliance. User experiences highlighted the MDX Type S’s struggle with maintaining a balanced and predictable driving dynamic, especially when driven aggressively.

The 2023 Kia Sportage's redesign resulted in a larger vehicle, positioning it more competitively against compact crossovers like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. The increased dimensions translated into a more spacious interior, with rear-seat legroom extending to 41.3 inches and the trunk offering 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Front seat storage was ample but wasn’t without flaws – touch-sensitive HVAC controls proved cumbersome during practical use.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX excelled in offering a functional and luxurious interior spread across three rows of seats. Standard triple-zone climate control, along with 16-way power-adjustable front seats equipped with heating, ventilation, and massage functions underlined its premium nature. Although the front seats were firm, they didn’t quite live up to the performance aspirations of the Type S model.

The MDX's versatility shone through its adaptable second-row seating, which could create a pathway to the third row or serve as an armrest with cupholders and storage. However, third-row access was tight, making it more suitable for children. Cargo space behind the third-row seat stood at 18.1 cubic feet, growing to 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows down. Clever storage solutions, such as a hands-free liftgate and hooks for grocery bags, increased the MDX's practicality.

Kia equipped the 2023 Sportage with a 12.3-inch touchscreen interface on EX trims and above, paired with an additional 12.3-inch driver display on higher trims, offering a high-end visual experience. While the system offered wireless charging starting from the EX trim and a premium Harman Kardon audio system on upper trims, it had some quirks. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection on the larger screens but were wireless on the smaller 8-inch base screen, confusing many users.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a Digital Precision Cockpit, comprising a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an infotainment display. Although technologically advanced, Acura's True Touchpad Interface (TTI) for the infotainment system created usability challenges. The non-touch-sensitive screen required interaction via a touchpad on the center console, additionally obstructing access to the wireless charging pad.

While Alexa Built-In and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were useful, the overall experience fell short due to the TTI's learning curve. Misunderstood as a gear selector, the TTI's wrist rest added further confusion. The top-tier Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality, especially with uncompressed audio files, though ordinary sources like satellite radio didn’t do it full justice.

The 2023 Kia Sportage came with a comprehensive suite of safety features even at the base trim, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping and lane-following assists, and rear backup sensors. Higher trims added desirable ADAS like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims boasted the innovative blind-view monitor and Highway driving assist, offering enhanced safety features typically reserved for top trims.

The 2023 Acura MDX’s safety package, Acura Watch, offered a complete set of driving assistance features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping and lane-centering assists, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed following. Additional trims added parking sensors, low-speed auto braking, and a surround-view camera. However, some issues included false lane-departure alerts and warning malfunctions, such as misidentifying overhead signs as obstacles. Despite these hiccups, the MDX earned top marks from both the IIHS and NHTSA for crash safety.