2022 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Acura MDX

The 2022 Acura MDX was a pioneer in the three-row luxury crossover SUV category, offering a spacious interior that belied its compact exterior appearance. This new generation was built on a dedicated platform, distinct from the Honda Pilot, with a longer wheelbase, wider body, and an increased dash-to-axle distance, enhancing its elegant design. The MDX featured standard Jewel Eye LED headlights and larger wheels, contributing to a sportier and more modern exterior. Built in East Liberty, Ohio, the MDX showcased high craftsmanship and quality. Inside, the MDX's cabin was modernized with a layered dashboard, authentic materials like natural wood and real leather, and a unique gear selection system. The 12.3-inch infotainment screen, though not a touchscreen, was strategically placed for safety. The front seats offered comfort and adjustability, while the steering wheel housed various controls, including paddle shifters. The MDX's exterior was available in eight colours, with six interior themes, providing a luxurious feel.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, while smaller in the compact crossover SUV category, boasted a roomy passenger compartment. Its design featured a tiger-nose grille, which was less successful compared to other Kia models, but the rest of the design details were spot-on. The Sportage had a planted stance with 19-inch alloy wheels and Germanic design cues inside. The dashboard had polished metallic accents, and the controls were user-friendly, with buttons and knobs for easy adjustments. The Sportage's interior felt upscale, with a solid transmission shifter enhancing the quality feel. The SX trim offered perforated leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front seats. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. The Sportage's smart liftgate technology provided hands-free access, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2022 Acura MDX was equipped with 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. The vehicle's overall stiffness and rigidity were enhanced, providing a solid ride feel. The 10-speed transmission worked seamlessly with the engine, offering five drive modes for a tailored driving experience. During test drives, the MDX impressed with its performance, feeling closer to the benchmark Audi Q7 and outperforming competitors like the Lexus RX L and Volvo XC90.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options: a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, and a more robust 2.0-litre turbocharged engine in the SX trim, producing 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Sportage's Dynamax all-wheel-drive system was standard on most trims, providing a locking centre differential for power distribution. The SX trim offered quick acceleration, with maximum torque available at low RPMs. The Sportage's suspension featured MacPherson struts in the front and an independent multi-link rear suspension, providing a smooth and compliant ride. The SX trim had upgraded brakes and exclusive 19-inch wheels. While the Sportage felt athletic and sporty, it lacked the refinement of competitors like the Mazda CX-5 Turbo.

The 2022 Acura MDX, as a three-row SUV, offered versatile seating and cargo options. The first two rows provided comfortable seating, with dual bucket sport seats in the front and a second row with a removable centre section. The second row could slide and recline, balancing legroom for passengers. The third row was best suited for smaller passengers. The MDX 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 power tailgate featured a "Walk Away Close" function and hands-free access. The interior lighting was customizable, with 27 themes available.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, though smaller, offered a roomy passenger compartment. The SX trim featured perforated leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front seats. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. The Sportage's cargo space was limited compared to segment leaders, with 1,703 litres available with the rear seats folded. The smart liftgate technology provided hands-free access, though it could be turned off if not needed.

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 infotainment system featured a 12.3-inch display and the Acura Precision Cockpit digital instrument panel. Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, along with a wireless charging pad. The MDX offered a CabinTalk feature, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera on higher trims. A WiFi hotspot and over-the-air updates were also included.

The 2022 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. The SX trim included UVO Intelligence connected services, satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for volume and tuning. However, the UVO Intelligence system lacked some advanced features, such as a WiFi hotspot and wireless smartphone mirroring.

The 2022 Acura MDX received a "Top Safety Pick +" rating from the IIHS, with top marks in every category. The MDX was engineered with a higher percentage of high-strength steel and an advanced safety structure. It 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 Kia Sportage offered safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The SX trim included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage received favourable crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though only the SX trim earned an Acceptable headlight rating.