2023 Audi Q5 vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Audi Q5 presented a sophisticated blend of elegance and sportiness with its exterior design, characterized by subtle curves and angular accents. It was available in two body styles: the standard Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which featured a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker look. Despite the typical reservations about coupelike styling, the Q5 Sportback stood out with a spoiler-like element above the taillights, providing a more defined transition from hatch to tail section. Inside, the Q5 offered a refined yet simple layout, though its age was beginning to show since its last redesign five years prior. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with options for a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The 10-inch touchscreen was a nod to traditional design amidst a trend of larger screens, and while materials were of good quality, the Q5 no longer felt as special compared to newer competitors. The build quality was robust, with no squeaks or creaks, making it a solid choice among luxury SUVs.

The 2023 Acura MDX, particularly in its Type S variant, offered a blend of luxury and performance, though it sometimes fell short of expectations. The MDX Type S featured subtle design cues, such as chicane-design LED lights and 21-inch wheels, contributing to its understated yet sporty appearance. Inside, the Type S Ultra trim boasted quilted leather, aluminum trim, and a Sport Appearance package, though some design choices, like gloss black plastic on the dashboard, were less practical. The MDX's interior was spacious, with a panoramic moonroof and ambient lighting themes. However, the electronic transmission switchgear and some control placements were less intuitive. Despite these minor drawbacks, the MDX remained an attractive luxury SUV, though its design sometimes gave the impression of a dented side profile.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered a choice of three engines, starting with the base 40 TFSI quattro, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI quattro increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, and was the sole engine for the Q5 Sportback. The 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid powertrain delivered 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 37 kilometres of electric-only range. All Q5s featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive. The Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine experienced a delay in power delivery, likely due to the transmission, making initial acceleration feel sluggish. However, once underway, the power was adequate, and the handling was sporty, with precise steering and a good balance between compliance and cornering. The cabin remained quiet, with well-managed road and wind noise.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S was distinguished by its turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, generating 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, an increase over the standard V6. However, the Type S was heavier, affecting its performance. The engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, which could direct up to 70% of power to a single rear wheel. The MDX Type S featured various driving modes, including an exclusive Lift mode for increased ground clearance. Despite these enhancements, the performance upgrades didn't integrate seamlessly, with issues like an indecisive transmission, lack of ride compliance, and poor brake pedal modulation. The MDX Type S struggled with fuel economy, averaging 13.9 litres per 100 kilometres during testing, and the driving experience was marred by inconsistent transmission behaviour and suspension noise.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design had remained largely unchanged since 2018, but it continued to offer a functional and user-friendly layout. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned atop the dash for easy visibility, and traditional dials and buttons were provided for climate controls. The Q5 offered good outward visibility, with a narrow front roof pillar and better-than-average rear visibility. The cabin was spacious, accommodating taller passengers in both the front and rear seats, with minimal headroom reduction in the Sportback model. Storage options were available, though some were oddly sized. The Q5 offered up to 730 litres of cargo space, slightly reduced in the Sportback, but still competitive with rivals.

The 2023 Acura MDX provided ample functionality 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, though the seats were firm and didn't hold occupants as securely as expected. The MDX offered seven-passenger seating, with the option to remove the second-row centre section for easier access to the third row. However, the third row was best suited for children due to limited space. The cabin prioritized style over storage, with limited space under the front centre armrest and a touchpad interface that reduced available storage. The cargo area was spacious, with a hands-free liftgate and a Walk Away Close function, providing convenience for loading and unloading.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring sharp graphics and quick responses, though it took time to boot up and activate Apple CarPlay. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Bluetooth and available SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Q5's infotainment system was user-friendly, with large on-screen buttons, though Apple CarPlay's app buttons were smaller and closer together. The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, with features like unlocking and temperature pre-conditioning available through a subscription. Mid-range trims offered a customizable digital instrument panel called the virtual cockpit.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured 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 was accompanied by Return and Home buttons, a stereo volume knob, and a radio tuning rocker switch. While the TTI was designed to improve driver interaction, it had drawbacks, such as reducing storage space and partially blocking the wireless charging pad. The MDX offered Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In, allowing for voice recognition and digital assistant use. The MDX also featured SiriusXM satellite radio, a native navigation system, and AcuraLink connected services, with varying trial periods. The top-tier audio system, the Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D, provided exceptional sound quality.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received top safety ratings, earning five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for overall, frontal, and side protection, and four stars in rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Q5 its highest score of "Good" in all crashworthiness tests and named it a Top Safety Pick+. Standard safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and front and rear parking sensors. Higher trims added features like lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera system, and traffic jam assist.

The 2023 Acura MDX also boasted strong safety credentials, with a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. However, it received four-star ratings for driver and front passenger protection in frontal-impact tests. The MDX's safety features included a collision mitigation braking system with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed following capability. Additional features included rain-sensing wipers, a blind-spot monitoring system, and rear cross-traffic alert. Some trims offered front and rear parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system.