2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Acura MDX

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 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 design emphasized cabin width, and the unique gear selection system added a touch of sophistication. The MDX's interior was both stylish and functional, with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen strategically placed for safety.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia made a bold statement with its redesigned exterior, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The Sequoia's design was more imposing than its predecessor, with a traditional grille and front bumper that set it apart from the Tundra's "manta ray on wheels" look. Inside, the Sequoia shared an industrial theme with the Tundra, featuring leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the upscale Capstone trim. The cabin was dominated by a massive 14-inch infotainment system, and the Capstone's interior was available in a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme. Despite its luxurious appearance, some interior materials reminded occupants of the Sequoia's pickup truck origins.

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 at the front and revised rear multi-link suspension, improving ride quality and sporty handling. The vehicle's overall stiffness and rigidity were significantly improved, resulting in a solid ride feel. The MDX offered five drive modes, allowing drivers to tailor performance to their preferences.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, was equipped with a hybrid powertrain featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and an electric motor/generator. This setup delivered 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. The Sequoia's towing capacity was impressive, with a maximum rating of 4,137 kilograms in Canada. Fuel efficiency was improved, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving with 4WD. The Sequoia offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, but its ride quality was occasionally jittery, especially in Normal mode. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2022 Acura MDX excelled in versatility, offering comfortable seating for the first two rows and a flexible second row with a removable centre section. The second row could slide and recline, providing ample legroom for passengers. The third row was best suited for smaller passengers, but the MDX's seating capacity was appreciated for school carpools. The MDX offered between 461 and 512 litres of luggage space behind the third row, with additional hidden storage. Folding down the seats expanded cargo capacity significantly. The power tailgate featured convenient functions like "Walk Away Close" and Hands-Free Access, enhancing usability.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was designed for highway comfort, with a cabin that minimized wind and road noise. The front seats were comfortable, and the Capstone trim offered luxurious features like a JBL premium audio system and triple-zone climate control. However, the second-row captain's chairs did not slide, limiting flexibility for third-row passengers. The third row was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 325 litres available behind the third row. Folding the seats expanded capacity, but the Sequoia's overall utility was reduced compared to its predecessor.

The 2022 Acura MDX was packed with advanced technology, 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, offering a customizable and intuitive interface. The MDX featured Amazon Alexa integration, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. A head-up display and surround-view camera system were available on higher trims, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system was intuitive and included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sequoia offered connected services with an Intelligent Assistant, but some features, like Bluetooth pairing, had occasional glitches. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, but glare on the display was an issue.

The 2022 Acura MDX received top safety ratings, earning a "Top Safety Pick +" from the IIHS. It featured a high percentage of high-strength steel and an advanced safety structure. The MDX's front-end redesign improved pedestrian safety, and the low-speed braking control system enhanced safety in urban environments. The AcuraWatch suite of safety features was standard, including collision mitigation emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems were effective, but the lane-departure warning system's beeping was irritating. Crash test ratings were not available at the time of review, but the Sequoia's Tundra platform earned high marks from the IIHS.