2023 Acura MDX vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was built on a new platform, offering a long-wheelbase model in North America with two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. Its front design featured Hyundai's new vehicle face, with a parametric grille that cleverly concealed LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. When lit, these lights formed a distinctive shape reminiscent of the Aztec Spirit Bird's wings. The Tucson's side profile borrowed design elements from the Hyundai Elantra, including a silver D-pillar that created a floating roof effect. At the rear, the Tucson boasted LED-illuminated toothy taillights, setting it apart from other compact SUVs. Depending on the trim level, the Tucson rode on either 17- or 19-inch alloy wheels, with high-end models featuring premium fascias, skid plates, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior was well-appointed, with stain- and odour-resistant cloth seats as standard, and leather-trimmed seats available on higher trims. The dashboard's horizontal lines and uncluttered design contributed to a sense of spaciousness.

The 2023 Acura MDX, available in standard and Type S versions, offered a range of trim packages to enhance its equipment levels. The Type S Ultra trim, with its Apex Blue Pearl paint and Orchid interior, set high expectations for quality and luxury. The MDX Type S was the first Acura SUV to bear the Type S badge, featuring subtle design elements like chicane-design LED lights, 21-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets. Inside, the Type S Ultra boasted quilted leather, aluminum trim, and a Sport Appearance package. However, some design choices, like gloss black plastic on the dashboard, made controls challenging to use. The MDX Type S aimed to be a luxury SUV with a sporty edge, but some design elements detracted from its overall appeal.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain options: a 2.5-litre direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor. The ICE engine produced 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid delivered a combined 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain was more powerful and efficient, with fuel consumption ratings of 6.3 L/100 km in the city, 6.6 on the highway, and 6.4 combined. The Tucson's AWD system performed well in off-road testing, providing stability on loose gravel roads. The upcoming plug-in hybrid version promised even more power, with an estimated 261 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, generating 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The MDX Type S offered various driving modes, including Sport and Sport+, and featured an adaptive air suspension for increased ground clearance. Despite these enhancements, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive driving experience, with issues like an indecisive transmission, lack of ride compliance, and poor brake pedal modulation. The MDX Type S averaged 13.9 litres per 100 kilometres during testing, falling short of its official fuel consumption rating.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered a spacious and well-appointed interior, comparable to its competitors like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. It featured a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat as standard, with higher trims offering an eight-way version with lumbar support. The Tucson's new platform provided more passenger and cargo space, with a 1,095-litre cargo area and a 60-40 split-folding rear bench seat. The cabin comfortably accommodated a family of four, with ample legroom and headroom.

The 2023 Acura MDX provided three rows of seating, with the option to remove the centre section of the second-row seat for easier access to the third row. The Type S Ultra trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, the seats fell short of the model's performance-oriented mission, lacking the expected support during enthusiastic driving. The MDX offered a decent amount of cargo space, with 461 litres behind the third row and up to 2,021 litres with both rear rows folded flat. The cabin's design prioritized style over storage space, with limited storage options in the centre console.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, and a 4.2-inch multi-information display. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation and a fully digital instrument cluster. The touchpoints on the centre console were responsive, but their flat design made them challenging to use while driving.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. However, the infotainment screen was not touch-sensitive, requiring the use of a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) on the centre console. The TTI design posed challenges, as it required hand-eye coordination and limited storage space. The MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Amazon Alexa Built-In, and a high-end audio system with 25 speakers. The Platinum Elite and Type S Ultra packages included a 10.5-inch head-up display, although the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson featured the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver attention monitor. Additional safety features were available, such as blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Tucson had not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of writing.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including a collision mitigation braking system, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The MDX received good crash-test ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. However, the MDX's safety systems occasionally issued false warnings, and the adaptive cruise control could be slow to resume speed after lane changes.