2022 Acura MDX vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Acura MDX was a standout in the three-row luxury crossover SUV category, offering a spacious interior that belied its compact exterior. 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 vehicle's exterior design was modern and sporty, highlighted by standard Jewel Eye LED headlights and larger wheels. Inside, the MDX boasted a refined cabin with authentic materials like natural wood and real leather, complemented by high-quality plastics. The dashboard was designed to emphasize cabin width, and the centre console housed unique controls, including a fighter jet-inspired gear selector. The MDX's interior was both stylish and functional, with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and comfortable front-row seats.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey was a practical choice for families, offering the convenience of sliding side doors and a spacious interior. Its design adhered to the classic minivan style, with kinked sliding doors and hockey-stick character lines adding a touch of flair. The Touring trim featured dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels and leather upholstery, exuding quality. The Odyssey's interior was open and functional, with a low console and ample storage space. The centre stack, though cluttered, was easy to navigate, and the expansive windshield provided excellent visibility. The Odyssey's design prioritized practicality and comfort, making it a reliable choice for family transportation.

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 was standard in Canada. The SH-AWD system offered torque vectoring, enhancing cornering feel and control. The MDX's suspension was upgraded with a double-wishbone setup in the front and revised rear multi-link suspension, improving ride quality and sporty handling. The vehicle's overall stiffness and rigidity were enhanced, providing a solid ride feel. The MDX impressed during test drives, showcasing its performance capabilities against competitors like the Lexus RX L and Volvo XC90.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivered 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It featured a front-wheel-drive system and a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive or an electrified powertrain. Its fuel consumption was estimated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, with responsive handling and quick acceleration. However, its brakes tended to heat up during downhill driving, leading to pedal vibration and audible grumbling. Despite this, the Odyssey remained a reliable and comfortable choice for family transportation.

The 2022 Acura MDX offered versatile seating arrangements, with comfortable front-row bucket seats and an innovative second row with a removable centre section. The second row could slide and recline, providing flexibility for passengers. The third row was best suited for smaller passengers, but the MDX's seating capacity was appreciated for carpools. The vehicle offered between 461 and 512 litres of luggage space behind the third row, with additional underfloor storage. Folding down the seats expanded the cargo capacity significantly. The MDX featured a power tailgate with convenient functions like "Walk Away Close" and Hands-Free Access. Interior lighting was customizable, with 27 themes available.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey provided easy access with wide-opening doors and a low ride height. Inside, the Touring trim featured quality leather seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The Odyssey offered impressive storage space, with numerous compartments for stashing items. The second-row seats were comfortable and could be configured for various needs, thanks to the Magic Slide feature. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, with good leg support and foot room. The Odyssey offered 929 litres of cargo space behind the third row, which could be expanded by folding the seats. Removing the second-row seats provided a massive cargo volume of 3,984 litres.

The 2022 Acura MDX was equipped with advanced technology, including the ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System with 16 speakers and 710 watts of amplification. The vehicle featured a 12.3-inch infotainment system and a digital instrument panel, both configurable for look and content. Amazon Alexa integration, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, along with a WiFi hotspot. The MDX offered a head-up display and a surround-view camera on higher trims. The CabinTalk feature acted as an interior public address system, enhancing communication within the vehicle.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring trim was packed with technology, though its infotainment features were somewhat outdated. It included an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Touring trim added CabinWatch and CabinTalk features, along with a rear entertainment system with a 10.2-inch display. The Odyssey's infotainment system was user-friendly but lacked a tuning knob and a larger screen. The embedded navigation system required specific voice commands, making smartphone integration a better option for navigation. Overall, the Odyssey's technology package needed an upgrade to remain competitive.

The 2022 Acura MDX received a "Top Safety Pick +" rating from the IIHS, with top marks in every category. It was engineered with a higher percentage of high-strength steel and an advanced safety structure. The MDX featured a low-speed braking control system, collision mitigation throttle control, and the AcuraWatch suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Odyssey also featured automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, with some features responding too sharply. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.