2022 Acura MDX vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Acura MDX was a standout in the three-row luxury crossover SUV category, offering a compact exterior that belied its spacious interior. Built on a new dedicated platform, the MDX featured a longer wheelbase, wider body, and an increased dash-to-axle distance, enhancing its elegant appearance. The Jewel Eye LED headlights and larger wheels contributed to its sporty and modern design. Inside, the MDX boasted a refined cabin with authentic materials like natural wood and real leather, complemented by high-quality plastics. The dashboard's layered design emphasized cabin width, while the unique gear selection and touchpad controls added a touch of sophistication. The MDX's interior was both comfortable and functional, with a range of colour options for both the exterior and interior.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its massive size and distinctive styling. Its imposing grille, LED lights, and tall hood gave it a locomotive-like front end, setting it apart from other GM full-size SUVs. The Escalade offered different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models, with bright or darkened exterior trims. Built on a body-on-frame architecture shared with other GM SUVs and trucks, the Escalade's interior was luxurious but lacked a cohesive design theme. While it featured leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, some materials appeared less premium. Despite its size, the Escalade's interior design did not match the distinctive look of competitors like the Lincoln Navigator.

The 2022 Acura MDX was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. It featured a new 10-speed automatic transmission and Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), which enhanced cornering feel and control through torque vectoring. The MDX's suspension upgrades, including a double-wishbone front setup, improved sporty handling and ride quality. The vehicle's overall stiffness and rigidity were significantly enhanced, providing a solid ride feel. The 10-speed transmission worked seamlessly with the engine, offering smooth shifts and responsive performance. The MDX impressed during test drives, showcasing its agility and comfort compared to competitors like the Lexus RX L and Volvo XC90.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain options: a standard 6.2-litre V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine with 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada. The diesel engine provided smooth power delivery and a low torque peak, making it suitable for various driving situations. However, the Escalade's ride was less refined, with a body-on-frame construction and 22-inch wheels contributing to an unsettled feel. Despite its size, the Escalade lacked the off-road capability of some GM cousins and fell short of competitors like the Lincoln Navigator in terms of comfort and composure.

The 2022 Acura MDX excelled as a versatile three-row SUV, offering comfortable seating for the first two rows and a flexible second row with a removable centre section. The second row could slide and recline, providing balanced legroom for passengers. The third row was best suited for smaller passengers, but the MDX's seating capacity and USB connections in all rows were appreciated. The MDX offered between 461 and 512 litres of luggage space behind the third row, with additional underfloor storage. Folding down the rear seats expanded cargo capacity significantly. The power tailgate featured convenient functions like "Walk Away Close" and hands-free access, while customizable interior lighting added a touch of personalization.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its body shell and chassis with other GM full-size SUVs, resulting in a spacious cabin. It offered the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, with standard second-row captain's chairs and a power split-folding third-row bench seat. The Escalade excelled in cargo space, providing 722 litres with all seats in place and up to 3,426 litres with rear seats folded. However, the raised centre console limited storage space, and the front seats felt similar to those in GM cousins. Cadillac paid attention to details like dedicated seat heating and ventilation buttons, enhancing overall functionality.

The 2022 Acura MDX featured an impressive array of tech highlights, including the ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System with 16 speakers and 710 watts of amplification. The 12.3-inch infotainment system and Acura Precision Cockpit digital instrument panel were standard, offering a configurable and user-friendly interface. Amazon Alexa integration, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot were also included. The MDX's tech offerings extended to features like CabinTalk, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system, providing a comprehensive and modern driving experience.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade boasted a 38-inch curved OLED display, comprising three screens for a seamless infotainment experience. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot were standard, while the touchscreen's design integrated well with the dashboard. However, some infotainment features, like the carousel format for changing radio stations, were less user-friendly. The Escalade's OLED screens offered excellent resolution for the 360-degree camera system, and additional tech features included night vision, augmented-reality navigation, and a 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system.

The 2022 Acura MDX received a "Top Safety Pick +" rating from the IIHS, with top marks in every category. While the NHTSA had not yet rated the 2022 model, Acura engineers aimed for even better ratings than the previous five-star model. The MDX featured a higher percentage of high-strength steel and an advanced safety structure for collision protection. The front-end redesign improved pedestrian safety, and the low-speed braking control system enhanced safe operation in various scenarios. The AcuraWatch suite of safety features, including collision mitigation emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, was standard on all MDX models.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came equipped with standard driver-assistance technology, including cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims, while Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system, was available as an option. Super Cruise allowed for hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, using a driver-facing camera for safety. However, the Escalade lacked published safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, leaving its crash protection capabilities uncertain.