2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Acura MDX presented a sophisticated yet understated design, especially in its Type S Ultra trim. This model featured a turbocharged engine and a luxurious interior with quilted leather and a panoramic moonroof. The exterior was marked by chicane-design LED lights and 21-inch wheels, giving it a robust stance. However, some design elements, like the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, were less user-friendly, and the electronic transmission switchgear was occasionally confusing. Despite these minor drawbacks, the MDX Type S was a fundamentally attractive luxury SUV, though it sometimes fell short of the high expectations set by its price.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was an attractive crossover with a restrained design, highlighted by a chunky front end that made the grille appear smaller. The Equinox offered a variety of paint colours, with some complementing the gold Bowtie emblem better than others. Inside, the Equinox Premier trim featured two-tone leather upholstery and standard heated front seats. While the interior design seemed a bit dated compared to competitors, it was practical and user-friendly. The Equinox's PRNDL shift lever was a refreshing change from the increasingly common dial- and button shifters, and the vehicle's suspension handled bumps well, making it enjoyable to drive.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S was distinguished by its turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. This was a significant increase over the standard MDX's 3.5-litre V6. However, the Type S was heavier, which affected its performance. The vehicle featured a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), which could direct up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel. Despite these enhancements, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive driving experience. The transmission was indecisive, and the ride lacked compliance, with squealing tires and poor brake pedal modulation. Fuel economy was also disappointing, averaging 13.9 L/100 km during testing. The MDX Type S was more agreeable in Normal mode but struggled in Sport and Sport+ modes, with issues like on/off brake pedal response and excessive body roll.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. While it handled low-speed acceleration well, it struggled at higher speeds. The Equinox used a six-speed automatic transmission, which held gears longer than newer transmissions, contributing to engine noise. The AWD system required manual engagement but was not overly inconvenient. The Equinox's electronically assisted brake-by-wire system provided smooth braking, and the suspension handled bumps well. Overall, the Equinox offered a well-sorted driving experience for a compact crossover, with tight and accurate steering.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seats, with options for two or three second-row seating positions. The Type S Ultra trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, the seats were firm and didn't hold occupants in place as well as expected. The MDX's third row was best suited for children, and the interior prioritized style over storage space. The cargo area provided 461 litres of space behind the third row, expanding to 1,107 litres with the third row folded and 2,021 litres with both rear rows down. The hands-free liftgate with Walk Away Close function was a convenient feature.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered 847 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,809 litres with the rear seats folded. While not the largest in its class, the Equinox provided ample passenger space, with good headroom and legroom for taller occupants. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, with plenty of storage options for smaller items. The Premier trim included a nearly silent power liftgate, and a panoramic sunroof was available on all trims except the base LS.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. However, the infotainment system was not touch-sensitive, requiring the use of a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) on the centre console. This design choice limited storage space and partially blocked the wireless charging pad. The MDX offered Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In. The top-tier ELS Studio 3D audio system provided excellent sound quality. The Platinum Elite and Type S Ultra packages added a 10.5-inch head-up display, though the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a simple yet effective infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen on lower trims and an 8-inch screen on the Premier trim. The system was easy to use, with quick response times and good voice recognition. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot were standard across all trims. The Premier trim included a wireless charging pad, and a Bose seven-speaker audio system was available as an option.

The 2023 Acura MDX included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as a collision mitigation braking system, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The MDX also had rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The vehicle received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it earned four stars in the frontal-impact test.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional on most trims. The Equinox received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but scored poorly in the IIHS moderate overlap front crash test and marginally in the side-impact test.