Acura MDX vs Jeep Grand Wagoneer

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a classic SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, which in turn resembled the smaller 2021 Grand Cherokee L. This resulted in a traditional SUV styling characterized by a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself from the standard Wagoneer with a standard black roof and unique hood, front fascia, and grille. The grille leaned forward slightly, featuring laser-etched knurling in the slots, and the wheel center caps were protected by an acrylic glass covering. The vehicle's body-on-frame architecture allowed for independent front and rear suspension, with an aluminum hood and doors, and a composite tailgate to reduce weight.

Inside, the Grand Wagoneer shared several styling features with the Wagoneer, such as an integrated infotainment touchscreen, a large rotary shift knob, and a two-spoke steering wheel. However, it offered more convenience features and higher-quality materials, including 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, lumbar support, and four-way power headrests. The interior boasted heated and ventilated first- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and standard Nappa leather upholstery, with the option for higher-grade Palermo leather. Additional interior differences included seat controls placed high on the doors and the "Grand Wagoneer" name spelled out on the dashboard.

The 2023 Acura MDX, particularly in its Type S Advance trim, aimed to deliver a blend of luxury and performance. The MDX Type S featured subtle styling cues, such as chicane-design LED running lights and taillights, LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and minor front styling modifications. The vehicle's stance was enhanced by 21-inch wheels, while quad exhaust outlets framed a rear diffuser panel. Inside, the MDX Type S offered perforated Milano leather, aluminum interior trim, and a Sport Appearance package with a black headliner and stainless steel pedal covers. The Type S Advance added open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard.

Despite its appealing design, the MDX Type S had some drawbacks. The body tapering at the doors could give the impression of a dent, and the gloss black plastic on the dashboard made it challenging to locate controls. The electronic transmission switchgear was also a point of contention, as it could be confusing to use. Overall, while the MDX Type S was attractive, it had some design elements that detracted from its overall appeal.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a robust 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine featured cylinder deactivation for improved fuel economy and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Wagoneer could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in six seconds, a commendable feat for a vehicle weighing approximately 6,400 pounds. It came standard with four-wheel drive, featuring the Quadra-Drive II system with a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system, also standard, allowed for adjustable ride height, providing up to 10 inches of ground clearance and enabling the vehicle to ford up to 24 inches of water.

Despite its powerful engine, the Grand Wagoneer was best suited for a leisurely driving pace, as its ride could become bouncy at higher speeds, and the steering was imprecise. While it excelled in off-road capabilities, its size limited its maneuverability on trails, and it did not receive Jeep's "Trail Rated" badge.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S stood out with its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which could direct up to 70 percent of engine output to a single rear wheel. The MDX Type S featured an Integrated Dynamics System with multiple driving modes, including an exclusive Lift mode that increased ground clearance.

However, the performance enhancements did not fully integrate into a cohesive driving experience. The transmission was indecisive, the ride lacked compliance, and the brake pedal modulation was poor. The engine's power increase over the standard V6 was not substantial, and the vehicle's fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 16.9 mpg during testing. The MDX Type S struggled to deliver a satisfying driving experience, with issues such as squealing tires and excessive body roll detracting from its performance-oriented mission.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered seating for seven with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It provided more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Infiniti QX80. However, space in the front row was more limited compared to the Escalade and Navigator. The Grand Wagoneer boasted 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place and 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed. With all rear seats folded, it offered 94.2 cubic feet of cargo space, which was less than its rivals. The vehicle had a maximum towing capacity of 9,850 pounds, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins.

The 2023 Acura MDX provided three rows of seating with options for two or three second-row seating positions. The Type S Advance trim featured 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 its rearmost position did not offer as much legroom as expected. The third row was best suited for children due to its tight space. The MDX's interior design prioritized style over storage space, with limited storage options in the center console. The 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 included a hands-free liftgate with a Walk Away Close function.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a comprehensive infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. Second-row passengers had access to a 10.25-inch center console touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer also offered a separate 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, Amazon Alexa connectivity, and Fire TV for Auto. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, based on an Android operating system, supported over-the-air software updates. While the system was feature-rich, the screen response was slow, and the instrument cluster graphics were plain.

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 and required the use of a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) on the center console. The TTI design limited storage space and partially blocked the wireless charging pad. The MDX featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa Built-In, SiriusXM satellite radio, and AcuraLink connected services. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display. The MDX's infotainment system had some usability issues, but the ELS Studio 3D audio system delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of review. It came with standard safety features such as a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included a driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, with a hands-free version planned for future release.

The 2023 Acura MDX was equipped with Acura Watch, a suite of driving assistance and collision avoidance systems. It included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and Traffic Jam Assist. The MDX also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and optional parking sensors and a surround-view camera system. The MDX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, although it earned four stars for frontal-impact protection.