2022 Acura MDX vs 2023 Cadillac XT5

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 enhanced proportions including a longer wheelbase, wider body, and increased dash-to-axle distance, which added an elegant touch. The MDX featured standard Jewel Eye LED headlights and larger wheels, contributing to a sportier and more modern exterior design. Built in East Liberty, Ohio, the MDX showcased high craftsmanship and quality.

Inside, the MDX's cabin was modernized with a layered dashboard that emphasized width and space. Authentic materials like natural wood, genuine aluminum, and real leather were used alongside high-quality plastics, creating a luxurious feel. The centre console housed unique controls, including a fighter jet-inspired gear selector and a touchpad for infotainment functions. The 12.3-inch infotainment screen was strategically placed for safety, and the front seats offered comfort and adjustability. The MDX's exterior was available in eight colours, with six interior themes to choose from.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to deliver affordable luxury, though its cabin materials were more akin to those found in a Buick or top-trim Chevy. Despite this, the XT5's interior was intuitively laid out, offering good space across both rows and above-average cargo capacity of 850 litres behind the second-row seats. Cadillac retained many physical controls, providing an intuitive feel, though the cabin lacked unique or memorable features. The XT5 offered good headroom and legroom, with a panoramic sunroof available for an airy feel. Standard synthetic leather upholstery could be upgraded to genuine leather on higher trims, with heated front seats standard in Canada.

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), standard in Canada. The SH-AWD system offered torque vectoring, enhancing cornering feel and control. The MDX's suspension was upgraded to a double-wishbone setup for improved handling, and 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 varied performance.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 came with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. An optional V6 engine offered 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. While the XT5 handled decently on curvy roads, it lacked driving excitement and suffered from ride quality issues on rough pavement. Compared to rivals, the XT5's performance was less impressive, with no performance variants available. The XT5's fuel economy was competitive, with the turbo-four and FWD achieving 10.9 L/100 km city and 8.2 highway.

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 third row was best suited for smaller passengers, but the MDX provided ample USB connections across all rows. The sliding seats allowed for flexible cargo capacity, with up to 2,690 litres of space available with the second and third rows folded. The power tailgate featured convenient functions like "Walk Away Close" and Hands-Free Access, while customizable interior lighting added a touch of luxury.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's interior featured more hard plastics than expected, but it offered useful storage spaces, including a deep centre console bin. The cargo area provided 850 litres of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,784 litres with the seats folded. The wide liftgate opening and low load floor made accessing the cargo area easy. While the XT5's cargo capacity was generous for its class, the shape of the cargo area was important to consider, as some rivals had sloping rooflines that limited space for larger items.

The 2022 Acura MDX boasted impressive tech features, 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, with built-in Amazon Alexa and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The MDX also 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 standard.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 featured the CUE infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The system was intuitive and responsive, with physical controls for climate and steering wheel functions. A Bose premium audio system, wireless charging, and navigation were available. The XT5's infotainment system was competitive, though not as advanced as some rivals, but it was user-friendly and not distracting for drivers.

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 front end was redesigned for pedestrian safety, and a low-speed braking control system was included. The AcuraWatch suite of safety features was standard, offering collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's last full crash test results were from the 2021 model, which missed a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. It earned "Good" scores in crash tests but had a "Marginal" score for headlights. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front pedestrian braking. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Driver Assist Package added enhanced safety features.