2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as Land Rover offered limited options for making the vehicle stand out, such as a Firenze Red paint colour and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels. The test vehicle, finished in Eiger Grey with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, complemented by aluminum and shiny black trim, added to the vehicle's sophisticated appeal. The Range Rover Sport was available in various specifications, including Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography, and the sold-out SV Edition One. The test vehicle, a U.S.-spec Dynamic SE, featured heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and other luxurious amenities, pushing the MSRP beyond $120,000. Notable design elements included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology in the taillights, contributing to its excellent aerodynamics.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX offered both standard and Type S versions, with various trim packages enhancing the equipment levels. The Type S Ultra trim, tested in the U.S., featured extra-cost Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid interior, with an MSRP of $84,400 in Canada. The fourth-generation MDX was the first Acura SUV to bear the Type S badge, emphasizing subtlety over ostentation. The Type S boasted chicane-design LED running lights and taillights, LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and 21-inch wheels for a commanding stance. Inside, the Type S Ultra trim included quilted leather, aluminum interior trim, a Sport Appearance package, and a leather-wrapped dashboard. While the MDX Type S was visually appealing, some design choices, such as the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, posed usability challenges. Despite these minor drawbacks, the MDX Type S remained an attractive luxury SUV.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and comfort with driver-focused engagement, though it only partially succeeded. The SUV featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available in the Autobiography trim, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft. The sold-out SV Edition One offered a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine, which was expected to return in a future SVR model. A fully electric version was anticipated for 2024. The test vehicle's 395-hp inline-six provided ample power, with a 0-100 km/h time of 5.7 seconds. The Range Rover Sport's eight-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system allowed for a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, averaging 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres on the evaluation route. The SUV's new architecture increased torsional stiffness by 35 percent, and the adaptive damping air suspension enhanced ride comfort and handling. However, the Range Rover Sport struggled to match the driving dynamics of sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, feeling tall and heavy with steering that lacked involvement. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled, with impressive ground clearance, approach, breakover, and departure angles, and a 90 cm wading depth.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S stood out with its turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, generating 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. This represented a significant increase over the standard 3.5-litre V6, but the Type S also weighed 130 kilograms more than the lightest standard MDX with AWD. The twin-scroll turbo V6 used a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, powering all four wheels through Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The MDX Type S featured an Integrated Dynamics System with multiple driving modes, including an exclusive Lift mode for increased ground clearance. Despite these enhancements, the MDX Type S fell short of expectations, with performance upgrades that didn't form a cohesive whole. The transmission was indecisive, the ride lacked compliance, and the brake pedal modulation was poor. Fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 13.9 litres per 100 kilometres during the test drive. The MDX Type S struggled as a driver's SUV, with transmission issues and a lack of suspension compliance in Sport and Sport+ modes. The Electro-Servo brakes and Continental self-sealing performance all-season tires further detracted from the driving experience. Overall, the MDX Type S lacked the cohesion and predictability expected from a performance-oriented model.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering a tall, airy feel with a low dashboard, upright windshield angle, and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, benefiting shorter passengers. The front seats were comfortable, with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, however, was less accommodating, with limited legroom and hard front seatback panels. The back seat was deeply bucketed but had a reclined angle, forcing a slouched posture. Storage space was decent, with a deep bin under the centre armrest and a second bin under the sliding cupholder tray. The cargo area offered 903 litres of space, expandable to 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded. A full-size spare tire under the cargo floor limited storage space, but Land Rover provided a contraption to prevent items from rolling around.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seats, with the option for two or three second-row seating positions. The test vehicle featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, wrapped in quilted leather upholstery. The second-row seat could be configured for a pass-through or as a centre armrest with cupholders. The third row was best suited for children, as it was a tight squeeze for adults. The cabin prioritized style over storage space, with a small bin under the front centre armrest. The cargo area provided ample floor space, with a sizable well under the reversible load floor panel. The MDX could carry 461 litres of cargo behind the third row, expanding to 1,107 litres with the third row folded and 2,021 litres with both rear rows down.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an Online Pack with connected services. While the screens were generally intuitive, the Pivi Pro infotainment platform was often confusing and frustrating. The SUV's native digital assistant struggled with basic tasks, such as finding a nearby Starbucks. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system. A wireless smartphone charging pad was located under the infotainment screen, but accessing it was challenging.

The 2023 Acura MDX's Digital Precision Cockpit included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. The infotainment screen was not touch-sensitive, requiring the use of a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) on the centre console. The TTI design limited storage space and partially blocked the wireless charging pad. Fortunately, the MDX featured Bluetooth and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as Amazon Alexa Built-In. The MDX offered several sound systems, with the top-tier Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D audio system providing exceptional 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 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system with ClearSight Ground View. Remote Park Assist was available, allowing the SUV to park itself while the driver directed it using a smartphone app. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist systems were less satisfactory, with slow response times and poor performance on highway curves.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a comprehensive suite of safety features, including a collision mitigation braking system, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed following capability. The MDX also included rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Certain trims added front and rear parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The MDX received good crash-test ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. However, the MDX's safety systems occasionally issued false warnings, and the adaptive cruise control was slow to resume speed after lane changes.