2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport adopted a "modernist" and "reductive" design that prioritized clean and simple lines. Despite this, it wasn’t the first choice for those who wanted their luxury SUVs to scream opulence. To appeal to such desires, Land Rover offered striking features like Firenze Red paint and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels to make the vehicle stand out. A performance-tuned SVR model was anticipated to join the lineup, promising a loud twin-turbocharged V8 engine, even more vibrant paint options, and exterior features that would demand attention.

The test vehicle in Eiger Gray paint, silver 23-inch wheels, and a Black Exterior Pack maintained a subdued but luxe appearance. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme with aluminum and shiny black trims radiated understated elegance. The SE Dynamic P400 trim came with upgrades including heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a Cold Climate Pack, a Technology Pack, and a full-size spare tire. With these additions, the MSRP reached $98,420, inclusive of destination charges.

The exterior design showcased the slimmest LED headlights ever on a Land Rover, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology in the taillights, all contributing to excellent aerodynamics with a coefficient of drag of 0.29. Inside, it featured Ultrafabrics in the high-tech, luxurious cabin, prioritizing sustainable materials. The prevalent Windsor leather upholstery added a touch of traditional luxury with a rich aroma of fine leather.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX Type S Advance exuded a more subtle elegance with its Apex Blue Pearl paint and Orchid (white) interior. Priced at $74,995, the MDX Type S set high expectations for quality and luxury but only partially met them.

The Type S model came with unique LED running and taillights and automatic high-beam LED headlights. Modifications to the front styling and understated badges were part of its subtle aesthetic, while the 21-inch wheels provided a solid stance. Quad exhaust outlets and a diffuser panel at the rear added a sporty touch.

A panoramic sunroof and Iconic Drive ambient lighting standard in most MDX models, paired with perforated Milano leather, aluminum trim, and a black headliner in the Type S Sport Package, created a sporty interior feel. The Advance trim added wood accents and a leather-wrapped dashboard, ensuring a premium interior look. Despite the fairly attractive design overall, elements like the body’s taper at the doors and excessive gloss black plastic on the dashboard slightly detracted from the MDX’s appeal. Furthermore, confusing electronic transmission switchgear remained a point of contention for drivers used to traditional controls.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to combine refinement, comfort, and driver engagement, with varying success. The challenge was creating a vehicle equally at home on rough terrain and winding roads, typifying conflicting demands on engineering.

Land Rover’s turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, which included mild-hybrid technology, came in two tunes: the SE P360 with 355 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, and the SE Dynamic P400 with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) option provided 434 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, exclusively available in the Autobiography P440e, with an electric driving range of 51 miles. Initial 2023 models also offered a 523-horsepower twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine, though this option was temporarily unavailable.

In our test, the 395-horsepower inline-six delivered robust performance, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds through an eight-speed automatic transmission and intelligent all-wheel-drive system. It also demonstrated competent towing capabilities up to 7,716 pounds, with fuel efficiency, averaging 22.3 mpg on evaluation routes and up to 25.1 mpg on highway trips. However, heavy city driving saw fuel consumption spike significantly.

With a 35-percent stiffer vehicle architecture, adaptive damping air suspension, Dynamic driving mode, and several advanced features like cornering brake control and roll stability control, the Range Rover Sport provided a comfortable ride with minimal body motion. However, it couldn’t match the handling agility of comparable Audi, BMW, or Mercedes-Benz SUVs in tighter curves, often feeling tall and heavy. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport proved formidable, buoyed by 11.1 inches of ground clearance and various tech features like Terrain Response and All Terrain Progress Control.

Conversely, the 2023 Acura MDX Type S brought a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine with 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura’s SH-AWD. This configuration provided up to 70 percent of engine power to a single rear wheel, complemented by Agile Handling Assist for enhanced cornering.

Equipped with an Integrated Dynamics System offering modes like Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, the MDX Type S presented versatility in driving conditions. Though off-road capability was limited to 9.4 inches of ground clearance in Lift mode, performance enhancements included a solid front stabilizer bar, Electro-Servo brake system, larger front brake rotors with Brembo calipers, and the MDX’s variable-ratio steering.

Despite these efforts, the MDX Type S failed to provide a cohesive performance experience. It often felt disjointed, with an indecisive transmission, harsh ride over bumps, excess body roll, and poor brake pedal modulation. Surprisingly, its engine didn’t deliver a substantial power increase over the standard V6, accompanied by poor fuel economy, averaging just 16.9 mpg.

In spirited driving, the MDX Type S exhibited transmission confusion and brake response issues. Acoustic feedback from the tires and handling quirks in Sport and Sport+ modes further undermined the driving experience. Overall, the standard MDX A-Spec seemed a better choice, providing a more predictable, enjoyable drive without the performance-oriented pretensions.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained its high driving position, contributing to an airy cabin feel with a commanding view. The air suspension could lower for easier access. Front seats offered significant comfort, with 20-way adjustments, heating, ventilation, and available massage functions. Windsor leather and optional features like soft-closing doors and advanced air purification added to the premium experience.

However, the rear seat was less accommodating, with limited legroom, cumbersome entry and exit, and a deeply bucketed, reclining seatback forcing a slouched posture. Storage options were decent but not maximized efficiently. Meanwhile, cargo space included a 31.9 cubic-foot area with an easy-load feature and controls for lowering the rear seat and suspension, expanding cargo capacity to 53 cubic feet. The full-size spare wheel under the cargo floor consumed some potential storage space.

In comparison, the 2023 Acura MDX offered three-row seating with flexible second-row configurations, including a removable center section and sliding seats for third-row access. Yet, third-row space was tight for adults but suited for children. The front seats in the Type S Advance trim had 16-way adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functionality but lacked the expected support for spirited driving.

Storage in the MDX’s cabin was compromised by design choices, such as the TTI touchpad occupying valuable center console space. The cargo area, however, impressed with 18.1 cubic feet 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 down, including an underfloor storage bin.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch haptic-feedback touchscreen infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and an Online Pack with connected services. A Wi-Fi plan required an additional cost. However, the Pivi Pro platform often proved confusing and frustrating, with voice recognition struggles and limited usability of the native digital assistant. Complex menus and settings, such as the automatic driver exit assist, further added to the difficulties.

Meridian audio systems, offering up to 29 speakers and an advanced Active Noise Cancellation system, ensured rich sound experiences, while wireless smartphone charging was conveniently placed but slightly challenging to access.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Acura MDX incorporated a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a non-touch-sensitive 12.3-inch infotainment display, operated via the TTI. This system faced criticism for its complexity and ineffectiveness in comparison to conventional touchscreens. The touchpad’s presence stole center console space and partially obstructed the wireless charging pad. Nonetheless, the MDX provided wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In for convenient voice commands.

Additional features like AcuraLink connected services, SiriusXM, and top-tier audio systems, such as the ELS Studio 3D with 25 speakers, enriched the MDX’s tech offering. A 10.5-inch head-up display presented crucial driving information, although with occasional recognition issues.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features like driver monitoring, parking sensors, a ClearSight Ground View camera, and Wade Sensing for water crossings added further safety.

However, the adaptive cruise control and steering assist presented challenges, such as slow response and unreliable performance in freeway curves, forcing drivers to frequently override technological inputs.

In comparison, the 2023 Acura MDX, with its Acura Watch suite, offered inclusive features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, Traffic Jam Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system.

Although generally refined, the systems issued false lane-departure warnings and occasionally misinterpreted overhead signs as obstacles, posing potential safety risks. Nevertheless, the MDX boasted commendable crash-test ratings, with a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.