2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2022 Acura MDX

The 2022 Acura MDX was a testament to the evolution of the three-row luxury crossover SUV category. It appeared compact from the outside but offered a surprisingly 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 stance. The Jewel Eye LED headlights and larger wheels contributed to its sporty and modern exterior. Inside, the MDX boasted a refined cabin with authentic materials like natural wood and genuine leather, complemented by high-quality plastics. The dashboard design emphasized cabin width, and the unique gear selection system added a touch of sophistication. The MDX's interior was both comfortable and functional, with a focus on quality craftsmanship.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac XT5 combined Cadillac’s signature design elements with a compact footprint, resulting in a somewhat ungainly appearance. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims offered distinct styling cues, with the former featuring bright chrome and the latter darker trim and a mesh grille. The XT5's interior, while luxurious, relied heavily on the optional Platinum Package for its standout features. Without it, the interior lacked a strong design theme and brand-specific markers, making it less distinctive compared to competitors. The XT5's styling was a mix of traditional Cadillac cues and modern elements, but it struggled to make a cohesive statement.

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, contributing to a solid ride feel. The MDX offered five drive modes, allowing drivers to tailor performance to their preferences.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6-litre V6 with 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. The V6, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided smooth and quick shifts. The XT5's performance suspension with adaptive dampers offered a comfortable ride, excelling in relaxed driving scenarios. The steering was well-suited to luxury driving, and the cabin remained impressively quiet, enhancing the overall luxury experience.

The 2022 Acura MDX excelled in versatility, offering comfortable seating for the first two rows and a flexible second row with a removable centre section. The third row was best suited for smaller passengers, but the MDX's seating capacity was appreciated for family use. Cargo space was generous, with up to 2,690 litres available with the second and third rows folded. The power tailgate featured convenient functions like "Walk Away Close" and Hands-Free Access, adding to the MDX's practicality. Interior lighting was customizable, with 27 themes to choose from.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space, with more front headroom than some German rivals but less rear headroom. The seats were comfortable but could have used more cushioning. Cargo capacity was impressive, with 850 litres available with the rear seats up and 1,784 litres with them folded. The XT5 included a hands-free power liftgate and a small cubbyhole for added convenience. However, the centre console lacked space due to the placement of the infotainment controls.

The 2022 Acura MDX featured an impressive array of tech, 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, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were included, along with a WiFi hotspot and over-the-air updates. The MDX also offered a head-up display and a surround-view camera on higher trims.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The optional Technology Package added a digital instrument cluster and head-up display. While the infotainment system was improved, it still lagged behind competitors in terms of screen size and graphics. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system delivered excellent sound quality, but the array of secondary controls on the centre console was not user-friendly.

The 2022 Acura MDX received a "Top Safety Pick +" rating from the IIHS, with top marks in every category. It featured a higher percentage of high-strength steel and an advanced safety structure. The MDX's front-end redesign improved pedestrian safety, and the low-speed braking control system enhanced safety in urban environments. The AcuraWatch suite of safety features was standard, including collision mitigation emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking. The XT5 received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. However, it only received a "Marginal" headlight rating and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH child seat anchor ease of use.