2022 Acura RDX vs 2023 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2022 Acura RDX presented subtle styling changes inspired by its larger sibling, the MDX. These updates included modifications to the grille surround and front and rear bumper styling, along with new wheel designs and paint colours. The limited-production PMC Edition returned with exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid white interior, named after Honda’s Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio. The RDX lineup included various trims, with the A-Spec Platinum Elite package offering high-quality interior materials and a quieter cabin, justifying its premium price. Despite some design quirks, the RDX maintained a stylish edge over many competitors.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder carried over its redesign from the previous year, with minimal changes except for the introduction of the Rock Creek trim. Its futuristic headlights and angular C-pillar combined traditional and modern design elements, ensuring its relevance for years. Inside, the Pathfinder boasted a clean and sensible layout, making it both visually appealing and practical. The Rock Creek trim added rugged styling and off-road capabilities, while the SL and Platinum trims offered advanced features like ProPILOT Assist and semi-autonomous driving. Overall, the Pathfinder's design and functionality catered to a wide range of preferences.

The 2022 Acura RDX was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder VTEC engine, delivering 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque between 1,600 and 4,500 rpm. This powertrain, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided a spirited driving experience, although fuel efficiency was slightly below expectations at 11.4 L/100 km. The RDX featured Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which could direct up to 70% of the engine’s power to a single rear wheel, enhancing cornering performance. The revised Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) and adaptive-damping suspension offered distinct driving modes, contributing to a smoother ride and improved handling. Despite its dynamic capabilities, the RDX did not qualify for Acura's Type S performance badge, leaving driving enthusiasts to consider German alternatives.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. The Rock Creek trim offered a slight power increase to 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. A nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive provided smooth and quiet performance, although the new shifter design was less intuitive. The Pathfinder featured a rotary drive mode dial with various settings, including an All-Terrain mode for the Rock Creek trim. The Rock Creek also boasted off-road shocks and a taller suspension, enhancing its trail capabilities. With a maximum towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms for most trims, the Pathfinder catered to those needing extra hauling power.

The 2022 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, offered ample space for four adults and their luggage, enhanced by a standard panoramic sunroof. The interior featured a sporty driving position and a unique control layout, including the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system. While the front seats were comfortable and supportive, the rear seats lacked comfort for adults, prioritizing a flat cargo load floor. The RDX provided 835 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,668 litres with the rear seats folded, along with hidden storage compartments.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder offered generous interior space, with up to 2,279 litres of cargo capacity when the second and third rows were folded. With all seats upright, it provided 470 litres of cargo space, slightly below some rivals. The first two rows offered ample headroom and legroom, while the third row accommodated adults for shorter trips. The Platinum trim featured second-row captain’s chairs with a removable centre console. The Pathfinder also included numerous cupholders and storage compartments, along with a robust roof rack on the Rock Creek trim, capable of holding up to 100 kilograms.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, which paired a 10.2-inch display with a touchpad controller. While the TTI offered a direct one-to-one relationship between touchpad and screen, it was more complex than traditional touchscreens. The RDX included Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. Three premium sound systems were available, with the top-tier ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system offering 16 speakers. The A-Spec Platinum Elite trim also included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with larger 9-inch screens available on higher trims. While the graphics were not the most advanced, the system was user-friendly, with real buttons and dials. The Pathfinder included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims added features like wireless device charging and additional USB ports. Although not cutting-edge, the Pathfinder’s technology offerings were practical and sufficient for most users.

The 2022 Acura RDX received structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety, maintaining its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. New safety features included a rear seatbelt reminder and enhancements to the AcuraWatch suite, such as forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The RDX earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, with four-star frontal-impact and rollover resistance ratings.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and ProPILOT Assist. Higher trims added features like front parking sensors, a 360-degree parking monitor, and traffic-sign recognition. The Pathfinder was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, although the NHTSA had not completed a full suite of crash tests for the 2023 model.