2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Acura MDX presented a sophisticated yet subtle design, especially in its Type S Ultra trim. This model featured a turbocharged engine and a luxurious interior with quilted leather and aluminum trim. The exterior was marked by chicane-design LED lights and 21-inch wheels, giving it a robust stance. However, some design choices, like the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, made controls less intuitive. Despite its luxury appeal, certain angles of the MDX's body design gave an impression of dents, and the electronic transmission switchgear was occasionally confusing.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra, showcasing a bold design with hexagonal grilles and muscular fender creases. The Capstone model, with its chrome accents and Celestial Silver colour, appeared somewhat dated. Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky dashboard design, featuring physical dials and buttons for climate control. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while the base SR5 offered SofTex leatherette. The Sequoia's interior was practical, with power-adjustable seats and a spacious centre console, though the design leaned more towards functionality than luxury.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, delivering 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 10-speed automatic transmission and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system aimed to enhance driving dynamics, but the vehicle's performance upgrades didn't integrate seamlessly. The MDX Type S struggled with transmission indecisiveness, lack of ride compliance, and poor brake modulation. Fuel economy was also a concern, with the Type S averaging 13.9 L/100 km during testing, falling short of its official rating.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia, exclusively available as a hybrid, featured the iForce MAX powertrain, combining a twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor. This setup produced 427 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, surpassing its V8 predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved significantly, rated at 11.7 L/100 km combined with 4WD. The 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the Sequoia's on-road handling was adequate for its class. The TRD Off-Road model offered adventure-ready features like an off-road suspension and electronic locking rear differential, while the Sequoia's towing capacity reached 4,137 kg.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered a versatile interior with three rows of seats and a spacious cargo area. 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 provide the expected support for spirited driving. The second-row seats could slide and tilt for easier third-row access, but the third row was best suited for children. The MDX's cargo space was practical, with 461 litres behind the third row and up to 2,021 litres with both rear rows folded.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia provided a maximum of 2,460 litres of cargo space with both rear rows folded. The second-row seats didn't slide, but they were easy to move for third-row access. The third-row seats could be folded at the push of a button, though they didn't create a flat load floor due to the hybrid battery pack. This affected headroom and legroom, making the third row less comfortable for adults. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs, available on higher trims, were wide but lacked bolstering.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and infotainment display. However, the infotainment system wasn't touch-sensitive, relying on a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) that was less intuitive than traditional touchscreens. The MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In, but the native voice recognition system was frustrating. The top-tier ELS Studio 3D audio system delivered impressive sound quality, and the head-up display provided useful driving information.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia's Capstone trim came with a 14-inch touchscreen for the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was functional, though not visually striking. The Sequoia featured a 12.3-inch driver information display and a panoramic view monitor on higher trims. The 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system was standard on the Capstone, providing a rich audio experience.

The 2023 Acura MDX included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as collision mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. However, the lane departure warning system's steering wheel wobble was less preferred, and the adaptive cruise control's speed resumption was slow. The MDX received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though it had a minor issue with false collision warnings.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia offered the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite as standard, including pre-collision systems, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Sequoia also featured blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The only optional driver aid was a trailer backup guide with Straight-Path Assist. While the Sequoia hadn't been rated by safety organizations, its mechanically similar Tundra sibling received a Top Safety Pick+ designation.