2023 Cadillac Escalade vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade dominated the road at nearly six-and-a-half feet tall and required between 18 and 19 feet of length to park. It was essentially a motorized cargo container, replete with three rows of leather seats and state-of-the-art technology. The standard Escalade was already formidable, but the Escalade ESV extended its length by an additional 15 inches, making it even more imposing. Its mass was cleverly disguised by Cadillac with thin LED taillights, headlights, and running lights, giving it a more athletic and trim appearance despite its gargantuan size. The Sport Platinum trim further accentuated its physique by darkening the chrome bits on the grille, bumpers, and windows.

The interior of the Escalade was every bit as impressive as its exterior. A 38-inch curved, leather-edged array of screens stretched across the dashboard, complemented by seven choices of wood trim. Though the base Luxury trim featured leatherette upholstery, higher trims offered single- and two-tone leather combinations, which Cadillac adorned with elaborate checker patterns formed by the perforations in the seat inserts. Certain trims even had a wool-like fabric in the lower sections of the dash and doors, enhancing its allure.

Sadly, not all was perfect inside the Escalade. Despite its luxurious front row, the heated seat controls, shifter, and other elements were disappointingly similar to those in cheaper GM vehicles, which was a serious letdown for a vehicle costing $100,000 as-tested. While the front row exuded opulence, the second and third rows were rather mundane in comparison.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX offered a subtly refined look. Available in standard and Type S versions, it featured LED running lights and taillights, along with automatic high-beam headlights. The MDX Type S, with its 21-inch wheels and quad exhaust outlets, had a proper stance that exuded quiet confidence.

Inside, the MDX's cabin was filled with modern amenities. The Type S Advance trim included perforated Milano leather, aluminum interior trim, and even open-pore wood on the dashboard. Every MDX came with a panoramic sunroof and Iconic Drive ambient lighting themes. Although the interior design was appealing, some elements, like the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, made it harder to use certain controls.

While the MDX’s Type S was visually attractive, from some angles, the body taper could make it appear as though it had a dent. Additionally, Acura's electronic transmission switchgear, used since 2017, remained confusing and less intuitive than traditional gear selectors.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was powered by a standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine, generating 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Despite its muscle-car sound, the V8 engine didn't translate that well into speed but was satisfactory for gentle cruising, boasting a combined 16 mpg with optional 4WD. For those needing more power, the Escalade-V offered a staggering 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque from its supercharged Corvette V8, while a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 with better fuel efficiency was also available, providing 277 hp and matching torque to the standard V8.

The Escalade's 10-speed automatic transmission responded adequately, but competitors like the Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Lincoln Navigator felt more sprightly. The Escalade's magnetic dampers, air suspension, and superbly tuned steering offered precision and control, although the ride could be jarring over rough pavement, and wind noise was noticeable at highway speeds.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S distinguished itself with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, offering 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. However, it weighed 285 pounds more than the lightest standard MDX with AWD. Its 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura’s SH-AWD provided a notably dynamic driving experience, especially with the SH-AWD's ability to direct up to 70 percent of torque to a single rear wheel. The MDX Type S also included an Integrated Dynamics System with several driving modes and an exclusive Lift mode.

Despite these features, the MDX Type S struggled to provide a cohesive performance. Engine power was not significantly better than the standard V6, and it guzzled fuel much like a V8. Transmission and suspension issues further diminished the driving experience, as did the oversensitive handling and indecisive transmission in Sport mode.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade offered the most space-efficient interior of any large SUV - a standout feature. It provided 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and an astounding 121 cubic feet with both rows down. The Escalade ESV extended these capacities to 41 cubic feet behind the third row, 94 cubic feet behind the second row, and an immense total of 143 cubic feet. The independent rear suspension contributed to ample third-row space, allowing six adults to sit in complete comfort.

User-friendliness was a highlight in the Escalade. A console dial controlled the main menu, while the climate controls and shortcut buttons offered streamlined operation. Power-retractable side steps aided access, and the tailgate’s separate glass window was a thoughtful touch for dog owners. A front console refrigerator added practical value, although the placement of some power outlets was inconvenient.

The 2023 Acura MDX also provided versatile interior functionality. With three rows of seats and various configurations for the second row, the MDX accommodated diverse passenger needs. The Type S Advance trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage. While comfortable, the seats didn't offer the expected hold for enthusiastic driving.

Seven-passenger seating was standard, and the removable second-row center section allowed multiple configurations. The cargo area, with a reversible load floor panel, offered 18.1 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 39.1 cubic feet with the third row down, and 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

Despite these features, style sometimes overshadowed function in the MDX. The center console was cluttered with the True Touchpad Interface and wrist rest, reducing storage space. However, the Type S Advance’s hands-free liftgate with Walk Away Close function added convenience.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a tech marvel, featuring expansive OLED screens that provided crisp, clear displays. A front camera projected high-resolution feeds with navigational overlays directly onto the instrument panel, improving driver visibility considerably.

Super Cruise, Cadillac’s advanced hands-free driving system, was an available option. It utilized infrared eye-tracking cameras to ensure driver attention and could operate on over 200,000 miles of U.S. highways. The technology, though not foolproof, was highly effective, with features like automatic lane changes.

Additional tech features included a pedestrian-detection night vision system and a 36-speaker AKG audio system, among others, ensuring a luxurious and high-tech driving experience.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured the Digital Precision Cockpit, with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. However, the lack of a touch-sensitive infotainment screen meant drivers had to use the True Touchpad Interface (TTI), which detracted from the user experience. The TTI design also reduced valuable storage space and partially obstructed the wireless charging pad.

On the positive side, the MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In for convenient voice-recognition commands. The Type S Advance included a 25-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system and a 10.5-inch head-up display (HUD). Despite certain issues, the provided technology enhanced the overall convenience and entertainment features of the MDX.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade earned four out of five stars from the NHTSA, albeit with lower ratings in certain areas like front-passenger protection and rollover resistance. Safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a Safety Alert seat, and rear parking sensors, among others. Optional safety features like reverse emergency braking and Super Cruise added to the vehicle’s repertoire, although some systems had occasional operational hiccups.

The 2023 Acura MDX, a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, earned an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA. It boasted Acura Watch, which included a wide range of advanced driving assistance and collision avoidance systems. Features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were standard. However, the safety systems occasionally issued false alarms, which could be disconcerting.