2023 Acura MDX vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia, a continuation of its second generation, maintained a classic and mature design that had been in production for 14 years. Its exterior was characterized by a modestly sized grille, elegant wheel arches, and straight lines, giving it a substantial presence with dimensions of 77 inches in height, 79.9 inches in width, and 205.1 inches in length. Despite its dated interior design, the Sequoia's build quality was impeccable, with high-quality materials and tight seams. The Nightshade Special Edition model, with its darkened chrome and black-painted finishes, brought a modern touch to the Sequoia's appearance.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX Type S offered a more contemporary and luxurious design. It featured chicane-design LED lights, 21-inch wheels, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior boasted perforated Milano leather, aluminum trim, and a Sport Appearance package. However, the MDX's design had some drawbacks, such as gloss black plastic on the dashboard that made controls challenging to use and a body taper that could give the impression of a dent. Despite these issues, the MDX Type S remained an attractive luxury SUV with a focus on style and comfort.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-liter i-Force V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered a lockable Torsen limited-slip center differential and a two-speed transfer case in 4WD models. The Sequoia's truck roots provided a payload capacity of around 1,300 pounds and a towing capacity of 7,400 pounds. However, its weight of 5,730 to 6,000 pounds contributed to its low fuel economy ratings of 13 mpg city/17 mpg highway/15 mpg combined for RWD and 13 mpg city/17 mpg highway/14 mpg combined for 4WD. Despite its weight, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities and a respectable 38.1-foot turning circle.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, generating 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. It used a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The MDX Type S offered various driving modes, including Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, along with a Lift mode for increased ground clearance. However, the performance upgrades didn't create a cohesive driving experience, with issues like an indecisive transmission, lack of ride compliance, and poor brake pedal modulation. The MDX Type S averaged 16.9 mpg during testing, falling short of its EPA rating of 19 mpg combined.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort with spacious seating across all three rows and three-zone climate control. It featured a standard one-touch tilt/slide power moonroof and available heated and ventilated front seats. The Sequoia offered ample storage, with a center console, glove compartment, and door pockets. Its cargo space included 18.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 66.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 120.1 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat.

The 2023 Acura MDX provided three rows of seating with options for two or three second-row positions. It featured a triple-zone automatic climate control system and 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage. The MDX's second-row seat could slide for more third-row space, but the third row was best suited for children. The MDX offered decent cargo space, with 18.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The Type S Advance trim included a hands-free liftgate with a Walk Away Close function.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system was outdated, featuring a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.5-inch TFT driver information screen. However, it offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, WiFi connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Sequoia Limited added navigation and a 12-speaker audio system, with an optional premium audio package. While the Sequoia lacked modern powertrain technology, it featured LED exterior lighting and standard safety features like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

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 system required the use of a True Touchpad Interface (TTI), which had its drawbacks. The MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In. It featured several sound systems, with the top-tier ELS Studio 3D audio system providing exceptional sound quality. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display, although the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, but it offered a comprehensive suite of safety features. The Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) suite included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. The Sequoia also featured a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and Toyota's STAR safety system, which included stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes.

The 2023 Acura MDX received good crash-test ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA. It featured Acura Watch, a collection of driving assistance and collision avoidance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The MDX also included a blind-spot monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alert, and optional front and rear parking sensors.