2022 Kia Sorento vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2022 Kia Sorento, particularly in the X-Line trim, presented a stylish and rugged appearance. This midsize SUV featured rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, black lower body cladding, and robust roof rails, which added a sense of purpose to its already attractive design. The test vehicle, equipped with the X-Line package, showcased a high level of quality, from the leather upholstery and simulated wood trim on the dashboard to the tactile feel of the door releases and transmission shifter. The Sorento's cabin was noted for its rock-solid construction, with impressive attention to design detail even in the most affordable models. Despite its traditional cable-operated transmission shifter, the Sorento maintained practical storage space, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a stylish and well-built SUV.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX Type S aimed to deliver a luxurious and dynamic driving experience. The fourth-generation MDX, the first Acura SUV to wear the Type S badge, featured subtle design elements such as chicane-design LED running lights, taillights, and LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. The Type S Ultra trim, with its quilted leather, aluminum interior trim, and Sport Appearance package, exuded luxury. However, some design choices, like the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, made it challenging to use certain controls. While the MDX Type S was appealing inside and out, it had some design quirks that detracted from its overall luxury experience.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered a range of engine options, with the standard 191-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine being somewhat underwhelming. It took nearly 9.5 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph, making it less desirable for those seeking spirited performance. However, the turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, generating 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, provided a more satisfying driving experience. This engine, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, allowed the Sorento to accelerate to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds. The SUV's suspension was tuned for a blend of compliance and composure, offering excellent body motion control and communication on winding roads. Despite its performance, the Sorento's fuel consumption was higher than expected, averaging 11.5 L/100 km during testing.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. While this represented an increase over the standard V6, the Type S's additional weight and performance upgrades didn't translate into a cohesive driving experience. The 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system aimed to enhance performance, but the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a seamless driving experience. The vehicle's indecisive transmission, lack of ride compliance, and poor brake pedal modulation detracted from its performance-oriented mission. Additionally, the MDX Type S's fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 13.9 L/100 km during testing, making it less efficient than expected.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's interior offered a luxurious feel, with features like heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain's chairs, starting with the EX trim, were designed with kids in mind, featuring cupholders, USB charging ports, and rear climate control vents. However, the third-row seat was less accommodating for adults, with limited legroom and headroom. The Sorento's cargo space was expandable, with up to 2,139 litres available when the second and third rows were folded down. The "smart" power tailgate added convenience when loading cargo.

The 2023 Acura MDX provided three rows of seating with flexible second-row configurations. The Type S Ultra trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, the seats didn't offer the expected support for spirited driving. The MDX's third row was best suited for children, as it was challenging for adults to access. The cabin's design prioritized style over storage space, with limited storage options in the centre console. 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 hands-free liftgate with Walk Away Close functionality added convenience for loading and unloading cargo.

The 2022 Kia Sorento featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in lower trims, while higher trims received a 10.25-inch display with navigation, satellite radio, and Kia Connect services. The infotainment system offered a user-friendly interface, though the font style and graphics might not appeal to everyone. The Sorento's voice recognition system was less effective than its Hyundai counterparts. A 12-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system was reserved for the SX trim, and a wireless phone charger was standard starting with the LX Premium trim.

The 2023 Acura MDX boasted a Digital Precision Cockpit with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. However, the infotainment screen wasn't touch-sensitive, requiring the use of a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) on the centre console. The TTI design limited storage space and partially blocked the wireless charging pad. The MDX offered Bluetooth and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, along with Amazon Alexa Built-In. The top-tier ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers delivered impressive sound quality. The MDX also featured a 10.5-inch head-up display with navigation instructions and driving assistance status.

The 2022 Kia Sorento came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system, Junction Assist, and a Blind View Monitor system. The Highway Driving Assist technology provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The Sorento received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with the only negative rating for its LED headlights. The NHTSA awarded the Sorento a four-star overall crash-test rating, with four-star ratings for driver and front passenger protection in frontal-impact collisions.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a range of safety technologies, including a collision mitigation braking system, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed following capability. The MDX also included rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The MDX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star protection ratings for the driver and front passenger in frontal-impact tests.