2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Acura MDX

The 2022 Acura MDX was a pioneer in the three-row luxury crossover SUV category, offering a compact exterior with a surprisingly spacious interior. 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 for a more elegant appearance. The MDX featured standard Jewel Eye LED headlights and larger wheels, contributing to a sportier and modern exterior design. Inside, the MDX boasted a modernized 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 12.3-inch infotainment screen was strategically placed for safety, and the front seats offered comfort and adjustability, making the MDX a luxurious choice.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E, initially a surprising blend of Mustang styling with a five-door crossover SUV, proved to be a smart move by Ford. Despite its unconventional dimensions, the Mach-E's design, featuring Mustang cues like galloping horse emblems and tri-bar taillights, contributed to its popularity. The Mach-E GT, in particular, stood out with distinctive styling, including revised bumpers and unique 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Mach-E GT offered a luxury feel with artificial leather and synthetic suede seats, copper stitching, and a high-tech ambiance created by metallic and gloss-black trim. The cabin's design blended past and future elements, providing a sporty yet upscale environment. The Mach-E's design and quality made it a strong competitor in the EV market, appealing to those seeking style and technology.

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 with a double-wishbone setup for improved handling, and the vehicle's overall stiffness and rigidity were enhanced. The 10-speed transmission worked seamlessly with the engine, offering smooth performance across five drive modes. During test drives, the MDX impressed with its solid ride feel and competitive performance against rivals like the Lexus RX L and Audi Q7.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a range of powertrains, with the GT Performance Edition featuring an extended-range battery and AWD layout. It delivered 480 horsepower and 634 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. The Mach-E GT included driving modes like Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled, with an exclusive Unbridled Extend mode for track use. One-pedal driving was available, and the Mach-E GT's performance was undeniably fast. However, the steering lacked the sharpness expected from a performance vehicle. The ride quality was firm, but the Mach-E GT excelled in controlling body motions. Overall, the Mach-E GT was exciting to drive, with efficiency exceeding expectations during test drives.

The 2022 Acura MDX, as a three-row SUV, offered versatile seating and cargo options. The first two rows provided comfortable seating, with the second row featuring a removable centre section and adjustable legroom. The third row was best suited for smaller passengers. The MDX offered between 461 and 512 litres of luggage space behind the third row, expandable to 2,690 litres with seats folded. The power tailgate featured convenient functions like "Walk Away Close" and Hands-Free Access. Interior lighting was customizable with 27 themes, enhancing the cabin's ambiance.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E, with its crossover SUV configuration, provided seating for up to five people and 965 litres of cargo space, including a front trunk. The Mach-E GT featured performance seats with unique upholstery and a tiered centre console for storage. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed sufficient legroom and an airy environment with a panoramic glass roof. The Mach-E offered 841 litres of cargo space behind the back seat, expandable to 1,691 litres with seats folded. The front trunk added 133 litres of cargo space, designed for easy cleaning with a drain plug.

The 2022 Acura MDX featured the ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System on higher trims, offering 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. A head-up display and surround-view camera were available on the Platinum Elite trim. The MDX also offered a WiFi hotspot and over-the-air software updates.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured a 15.5-inch touchscreen with Ford's Sync 4A infotainment platform, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Sync 4A learned user habits and provided predictive suggestions. The Mach-E's Bang & Olufsen sound system delivered excellent audio quality. The digital instrumentation display showed essential data, and Phone As A Key technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access.

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 advanced safety structures. The MDX included a low-speed braking control system and the AcuraWatch suite of safety features, including collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E came with Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0, including adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. BlueCruise hands-free highway driving was available, with new features like lane-change and predictive speed assist. The Mach-E received top marks from the IIHS and was a Top Safety Pick for 2022 and 2023. NHTSA ratings were pending, but the Mach-E had top ratings for side-impact protection and rollover resistance.