2023 Nissan Ariya vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Nissan Ariya presented a modern and striking design, characterized by its smooth, oval shape and minimal use of creases and angles. Its front featured thin LED headlights and a grille area that mimicked Nissan's "V-Motion" design language, complete with an illuminated emblem. The rear was marked by a thin taillight spanning the width and a resemblance to the 2023 Lexus NX. Inside, the Ariya boasted beautiful craftsmanship with minimal hard plastics, dual 12-inch monitors, and illuminated haptic buttons. The interior felt open and airy, thanks to the absence of a transmission tunnel, and offered a range of trim levels with both FWD and AWD options. However, the differing heights of the centre and door armrests were a minor discomfort.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S, particularly in the Ultra trim, aimed to deliver a luxurious and dynamic driving experience. It featured chicane-design LED lights, 21-inch wheels, and a subtle Type S badge. The interior was equipped with quilted leather, aluminum trim, and a panoramic moonroof. Despite its appealing design, the MDX's body tapering at the doors sometimes gave the impression of a dent, and the gloss black plastic on the dashboard made controls challenging to locate. The electronic transmission switchgear was also a point of confusion. Overall, while the MDX Type S was attractive, it had some design elements that detracted from its luxury appeal.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya offered a range of powertrains, starting with the Engage FWD model, which had a 63-kWh battery and a 160-kW motor producing 214 horsepower. The Evolve e-4ORCE added a second motor for a total of 335 hp, while the Venture+ FWD featured an extended-range battery and a 178-kW motor for 238 hp. The Platinum+ e-4ORCE topped the lineup with 389 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Ariya's AWD system provided excellent grip and handling, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds for the AWD models. The vehicle's charging capabilities were efficient, with the 87-kWh battery charging from 20% to 80% in 40 minutes on a 130-kW DC fast charger. The Ariya's driving experience was quiet and comfortable, with well-managed body roll and minimal road noise.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. It used a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The MDX Type S offered multiple driving modes, including a Lift mode for increased ground clearance. Despite its performance enhancements, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive driving experience. The transmission was indecisive, the ride lacked compliance, and the brake pedal response was inconsistent. The MDX Type S averaged 13.9 litres per 100 kilometres during testing, falling short of its official fuel consumption rating. While the turbocharged V6 provided quick acceleration, the overall driving experience was marred by various issues, making it less enjoyable than expected.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya benefited from its ground-up EV architecture, providing a spacious and airy interior. Both front and rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom, although rear headroom was slightly compromised by the moonroof. The Ariya offered 1,670 litres of cargo space, comparable to other electric crossovers but less than traditional SUVs. Interior features included a powered bin under the centre stack, adjustable centre console, and haptic buttons for various functions. The Ariya's interior design was practical and user-friendly, with thoughtful touches that enhanced the overall experience.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seating, with the option to remove the second-row centre section for easier access to the third row. 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 during spirited driving. The MDX's third row was best suited for children, and the cargo area offered 461 litres of space behind the third row, expanding to 2,021 litres with both rear rows folded. The interior design prioritized style over storage, with limited space for small items. The MDX's cargo area was practical for family trips, with thoughtful features like a hands-free liftgate and grocery bag hooks.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya featured dual 12-inch displays for driver information and infotainment, with a seamless and modern design. Wireless Apple CarPlay was standard, while Android Auto required a wired connection. The Ariya included a head-up display on all but the base trims and offered Alexa compatibility for smart home integration. The infotainment system was user-friendly and modern, enhancing the overall tech-forward experience of the Ariya.

The 2023 Acura MDX came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. However, the infotainment screen was not touch-sensitive, requiring the use of a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) on the centre console. The TTI design was not intuitive and detracted from the overall user experience. The MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In, but the native voice recognition system was frustrating to use. The top-tier ELS Studio 3D audio system provided excellent sound quality, and the MDX included a head-up display with navigation and driving assistance information.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya was equipped with ProPilot Assist, Nissan's advanced driver assistance system, which included features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. However, the Ariya had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, so safety ratings were unavailable.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including collision mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and Traffic Jam Assist. The MDX also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. The MDX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, although it had some issues with false collision warnings and lane-departure notifications.