2022 Acura MDX vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

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. Built on a new dedicated platform, the MDX featured a longer wheelbase, wider body, and an increased dash-to-axle distance, enhancing its elegant design. The vehicle's exterior 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 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.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50, on the other hand, showcased a blend of subtle seductiveness and ruggedness. Its design featured a blunt nose, long hood, and rakish windshield, with fender swells and cladding adding a rugged touch. The CX-50's exterior elements, including a black grille and 20-inch alloy wheels, created an appealing look. Inside, the CX-50 offered a driver-focused design with quality materials and polished metallic trim. The interior was comfortable, with heated seats and a dual-zone climate control system. However, storage space was somewhat limited, and the infotainment system's user interface was occasionally frustrating. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-50 remained a good-looking compact crossover.

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 enhanced 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 handling. The vehicle's overall stiffness and rigidity were significantly improved, providing a solid ride feel. The MDX offered five drive modes, allowing drivers to tailor the vehicle's performance to their preferences. During test drives, the MDX impressed with its handling and performance, feeling closer to the benchmark Audi Q7.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options: a 187 hp Skyactiv 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged version producing up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine provided smooth acceleration and increased towing capacity. The CX-50's Mi-Drive system offered four drive modes, but the differences between them were subtle. The vehicle's ride quality was firm, and there was a hint of torque steer during acceleration. Despite these issues, the CX-50 felt more like a modern station wagon than an SUV, with a higher ride height and ground clearance. The CX-50 was capable of light off-roading, but lacked a downhill assist control system.

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'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's power tailgate featured a "Walk Away Close" function and customizable opening height. Interior lighting was customizable with 27 themes, enhancing the cabin's ambiance.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 provided a comfortable interior with heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control. The front seats were comfortable for long drives, though they could use more side bolstering. The back seat was roomy, and rear doors opened wide for easy access. Storage space was adequate, but some opportunities for additional storage were missed. The CX-50 offered 889 litres of cargo space, with a long load floor but narrow width between the wheel wells. Maximum cargo space was 1,595 litres, slightly less than the CX-5 due to the CX-50's lower roofline.

The 2022 Acura MDX featured the ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System on higher trims, offering 16 speakers and 710 watts of amplification. The MDX's infotainment system included 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 also offered a head-up display, surround-view camera, and WiFi hotspot. The CabinTalk feature acted as an interior PA system for rear passengers.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 came with a Mazda Connect infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's user interface was occasionally frustrating, but Mazda introduced touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available Bose 12-speaker sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. The CX-50 also offered an Active Driving Display, projecting data within the driver's line of sight, including blind-spot warnings.

The 2022 Acura MDX received a "Top Safety Pick +" rating from the IIHS, with top marks in every category. The MDX 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 Mazda CX-50 was rated as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, falling short of the "+" designation due to some headlight configurations and night-time pedestrian collision avoidance results. The CX-50 offered a comprehensive package of driving assistance systems, including active blind-spot monitoring and Traffic Jam Assist. However, the adaptive cruise control system occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting in, requiring manual intervention.