2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, with its bold design inspired by the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The SUV's exterior featured a traditional grille and front bumper, which distinguished it from the Tundra's more unconventional look. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, offering an industrial yet upscale feel, especially in the Capstone trim. This trim level boasted a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone interior, dominated by a 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system. Despite its luxurious appearance, some interior materials reminded drivers of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $79,335 for the TRD Off-road and reaching $95,335 for the Capstone. The TRD Pro trim was recommended for off-roading enthusiasts, while the TRD Off-Road offered a more budget-friendly option with off-road capabilities.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered a range of standard and Type S versions, each with trim packages that enhanced its equipment. In Canada, the MDX was available in base, Tech, A-Spec, and Platinum Elite packages, while the Type S came in standard or Ultra trim. Prices ranged from $59,300 to $84,400, excluding a destination charge. The Type S Ultra trim, with its Apex Blue Pearl paint and Orchid interior, set high expectations for luxury and performance. However, it fell short in some areas. The MDX Type S featured subtle styling with chicane-design LED lights and 21-inch wheels, while the interior boasted quilted leather, aluminum trim, and a Sport Appearance package. Despite its appealing design, the MDX Type S had some drawbacks, such as a tapering body that created an illusion of dents and challenging-to-use controls. The electronic transmission switchgear also proved confusing for some drivers.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a powerful hybrid powertrain, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. While it lacked the rumble of the previous 5.7-litre V8, the new V6 offered increased towing capacity, with a maximum tow rating of 4,137 kilograms in Canada. The Sequoia also improved fuel efficiency, achieving 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving with 4WD. During testing, the Capstone trim averaged 13.2 L/100 km on a mountainous evaluation loop. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, but its steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S stood out with its turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. This represented a significant increase over the standard 3.5-litre V6. The Type S featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which could direct up to 70 percent of engine output to a single rear wheel. The MDX Type S offered various driving modes, including Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, along with an exclusive Lift mode for increased ground clearance. Despite these enhancements, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive performance experience. The transmission was indecisive, the ride lacked compliance, and the brake pedal modulation was poor. The MDX Type S averaged 13.9 L/100 km during testing, falling short of its official fuel consumption rating. The vehicle's dynamic components didn't work in harmony, making it less predictable and less enjoyable to drive than expected.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. The Sequoia's front seats were particularly comfortable, and the wide, flat, padded upper door panel shelf provided a perfect resting place for long road trips. However, the Sequoia's interior space was compromised by its hybrid powertrain. The third-row seat was cramped, with limited legroom and thigh support, and the cargo capacity was reduced compared to the previous model. With the third-row seat in its rearmost position, the Sequoia offered just 325 litres of cargo space, expandable to 631 litres by sliding the seat forward. The adjustable cargo shelf helped maximize space, but the overall utility was diminished compared to its rivals.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered a functional interior with three rows of seats and a choice of two or three second-row seating positions. The Type S Ultra trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions, wrapped in quilted leather upholstery. However, the seats didn't provide the expected support for spirited driving. The MDX's second-row seat could slide forward and back, but the third-row access was tight for adults. The cabin's design prioritized style over storage space, with limited storage options in the centre console. The MDX's cargo area offered 461 litres of space behind the third-row seat, expandable to 1,107 litres with the third row folded down, and a maximum of 2,021 litres with both rear rows folded flat. The MDX's cargo solutions were practical for family trips, with hooks for securing grocery bags and a hands-free liftgate with a Walk Away Close function.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in all trims except the base TRD Off-road, which had an 8-inch screen. The system was intuitive for users familiar with smartphones and tablets, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the display suffered from glare, especially in the Capstone trim with its white leather interior. The system allowed for multiple user accounts and included an Intelligent Assistant for voice commands. The Capstone trim also featured a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. The Sequoia's parking sensors and automatic rear braking system effectively prevented accidents during testing.

The 2023 Acura MDX boasted 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 design limited storage space and partially blocked the wireless charging pad. The MDX offered Bluetooth and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, along with Amazon Alexa Built-In. The vehicle featured several sound systems, with the top-tier Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D audio system providing exceptional sound quality. The MDX also included a 10.5-inch head-up display with navigation instructions and driving assistance status.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, all standard. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5) package included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and a road sign recognition system. Additionally, the Sequoia featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems made highway driving easier, although the lane-departure warning system's beeping was somewhat irritating. While crash tests for the Sequoia were not available, the Tundra, on which it is based, received high ratings from the IIHS.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 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. The MDX also included Traffic Jam Assist, 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's safety systems generally operated with accuracy and refinement, although the lane-departure warning system's steering wheel wobble was less preferred. The MDX received high crash-test ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.