2023 Acura MDX vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

When shopping for a 2023 Lincoln Aviator, buyers first had to decide on the powertrain. The standard models, including the Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, came with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The Grand Touring and Black Label Grand Touring models combined this V6 with a 10-speed hybrid automatic transmission, a 75-kilowatt electric motor, and a 13.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack, offering standard AWD. Prices ranged from $53,340 to $89,280, excluding a $1,195 destination charge. The top-tier Black Label Grand Touring model, fully loaded and with an optional $750 paint job, had an MSRP of $91,225.

The Aviator was a stylish three-row, midsize SUV, often considered the best execution of Lincoln's modern design. However, the wheel designs on the Black Label Grand Touring were deemed too plain, especially when paired with white paint. The Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence, electric door handles, and ambient cabin lighting added a touch of luxury. Inside, the Black Label Grand Touring featured high-end materials, including caramel-hued leather seats and a swanky simulated suede headliner. However, some chrome detailing and the key fob's design were criticized for feeling cheap.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered standard and Type S versions, each with various trim packages. The standard MDX came with base, Technology, A-Spec, and Advance packages, while the Type S was available in standard spec or with an Advance package. Prices ranged from $49,550 to $73,200, plus a $1,195 destination charge. The Type S Advance trim, with extra-cost Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid interior, had an MSRP of $74,995. Despite its high price, the MDX Type S sometimes fell short of expectations for quality, luxury, and driving dynamism.

The fourth-generation MDX, the first Acura SUV to wear the Type S badge, featured subtle styling enhancements, including chicane-design LED lights and 21-inch wheels. The Type S Advance added open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard. While the MDX Type S was appealing inside and out, some design choices, like the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, made it challenging to use some controls. The electronic transmission switchgear also received mixed reviews. Overall, the MDX Type S was a fundamentally attractive luxury SUV, but some design elements detracted from its overall appeal.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, a plug-in hybrid, was not just about efficiency. Despite adding over 800 pounds to the curb weight, the drivetrain produced an impressive 494 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 630 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. The EPA estimated a 21-mile electric driving range and 23 mpg combined in hybrid mode. The Aviator offered various driving modes, including Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Tow/Haul.

During an extended evaluation drive, the Aviator Grand Touring covered 22.3 miles on electric power alone, achieving an equivalent of 163.4 mpg. Over 94.7 miles, it averaged 24.3 mpg, demonstrating the technology's efficiency. The Aviator's twin-turbo V6 provided ample power, but the drivetrain's response was sometimes unpredictable. The brake pedal also exhibited inconsistent behavior, common in regenerative braking systems. The Aviator's Dynamic Handling Package, with an adaptive-damping Active Glide suspension, managed the SUV's added weight well, providing a smooth and quiet ride. However, the Aviator was not particularly fun to drive, even in the Excite mode, due to its heavy and numb steering.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 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 Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, and an exclusive Lift mode for increased ground clearance. Performance enhancements included a solid front suspension stabilizer bar, Electro-Servo brakes, and larger front brake rotors with Brembo calipers.

Despite these upgrades, the MDX Type S fell short of expectations. The performance enhancements did not create a cohesive driving experience, with issues like an indecisive transmission, lack of ride compliance, squealing tires, and poor brake pedal modulation. The turbocharged V6, while sounding great, did not offer a substantial power increase over the standard V6, resulting in poor fuel economy. On the evaluation route, the MDX Type S averaged 16.9 mpg, below the EPA rating of 19 mpg combined. The MDX Type S struggled as a driver's SUV, with transmission and brake issues detracting from the overall experience. The Continental self-sealing performance all-season tires squealed early, and the suspension lacked compliance, making the MDX Type S less enjoyable to drive.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort and quietness. The test vehicle featured a four-zone automatic climate control system, a heated power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The 30-way Perfect Position front seats, while requiring some adjustment, were highly comfortable. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, with a center console for storage and controls.

However, the Aviator's third-row seat was not suitable for adults. The power-release second-row captain's chairs did not slide forward enough, making access to the third row difficult. Once seated, passengers found limited kneeroom and legroom, with a flat bottom cushion offering no leg support. The Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row in use, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 77.7 cubic feet.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seats with flexible second-row seating options and a spacious cargo area. The test vehicle had a triple-zone automatic climate control system and 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage. However, the seats, while comfortable, did not hold the driver in place as well as expected for a performance-oriented model.

Seven-passenger seating was standard, with the option to remove the center section of the second-row seat for easier third-row access. The second-row seat slid forward and back, but the rearmost position did not provide as much legroom as expected. The third row was best suited for children. The MDX's interior design prioritized style over storage space, with limited storage options in the center console.

The MDX's cargo area offered 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. The Type S Advance trim included a hands-free liftgate with a Walk Away Close function, making it convenient for loading and unloading cargo.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring was loaded with technology. The 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa integration, Lincoln Connect connected services, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system. However, it ran on Lincoln's older Sync 3 software, which had limitations in voice recognition and point-of-interest database accuracy.

The test vehicle featured a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system, wireless charging, and the Phone As A Key digital key system. The digital instrumentation and head-up display were user-friendly, and the front and rear parking sensors and surround-view camera system were helpful. The Active Parking Assist 2.0 system could park the Aviator in parallel and perpendicular spaces.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured 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 had several flaws, including a learning curve, reduced storage space, and partial obstruction of the wireless charging pad.

The MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In, allowing drivers to use familiar voice assistants. Additional features included SiriusXM satellite radio, a native navigation system, and AcuraLink connected services with a complimentary three-year subscription. The test vehicle had the Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers, providing excellent sound quality.

The MDX Type S Advance trim included a 10.5-inch head-up display (HUD) with navigation instructions, driving assistance status, and speed information. However, the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs, leading to incorrect speed limit displays.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator came with various Co-Pilot360 driver aid packages, depending on the trim level. The fully-loaded test vehicle included features like automatic high-beam adaptive-pixel headlights, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, road-sign recognition, pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic rear braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist.

The Aviator's driver assistance systems performed well on straight highways with light traffic but were less dependable in dense traffic and wide freeways. The steering wheel controls for these systems were unnecessarily complicated. The standard Aviator received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but the Grand Touring model had not been rated.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured the Acura Watch suite of safety systems, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control with low-speed following capability, and Traffic Jam Assist. The MDX also included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with certain trims adding front and rear parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system.

The Acura Watch systems were generally accurate and refined, but the lane departure warning's steering wheel wobble and occasional false notifications were drawbacks. The adaptive cruise control could resume speed faster after lane changes. During testing, the MDX's collision warning system mistakenly identified an overhead exit sign as an obstacle, momentarily braking the vehicle. The MDX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it earned four stars for driver and front passenger protection in the frontal-impact test.