2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Acura MDX

The 2022 Acura MDX was a standout in the three-row luxury crossover SUV category, offering a compact exterior that belied its spacious interior. Built on a new dedicated platform, the MDX featured a longer wheelbase, wider body, and an increased dash-to-axle distance, enhancing its elegant appearance. The Jewel Eye LED headlights and larger wheels contributed to its sporty and modern design. Inside, the MDX boasted a refined cabin with authentic materials like natural wood and real leather, complemented by high-quality plastics. The dashboard layout, though initially quirky, quickly became intuitive, and the 12.3-inch infotainment screen was strategically placed for safety. The MDX's interior was both comfortable and functional, with a variety of color options to suit different tastes.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia made a bold statement with its design, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The Sequoia's exterior was characterized by a traditional grille and front bumper, giving it a distinct presence. Inside, the Sequoia shared many elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the upscale Capstone trim. The 14-inch infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the interior was available in a cream white-over-black two-tone color scheme. Despite its luxurious appearance, some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia offered a range of trims, from the base SR5 to the off-road-ready TRD Pro, catering to different preferences and needs.

The 2022 Acura MDX was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. It featured a new 10-speed automatic transmission, with power sent to the front wheels or all four wheels with the optional Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The SH-AWD system offered torque vectoring, enhancing cornering feel and control. The MDX's suspension was upgraded to a double-wishbone setup in the front and a revised multi-link suspension in the rear, improving ride quality and handling. The vehicle's overall stiffness and rigidity were significantly enhanced, providing a solid ride feel. The MDX offered five drive modes, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, was equipped with a hybrid powertrain consisting of a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter 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 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, and it offered improved fuel efficiency compared to its predecessor. The SUV featured multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. However, the Sequoia's ride quality was affected by its suspension setup, and the steering was slow, requiring more effort in tight spaces.

The 2022 Acura MDX excelled in versatility, offering comfortable seating for the first two rows and a flexible second row with a removable center section. The second row could slide and recline, providing ample legroom for passengers. The third row was best suited for smaller passengers, but the MDX's seating capacity was appreciated for family use. The SUV offered between 16.3 and 18.1 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expandable to 95 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The power tailgate featured convenient functions like "Grab ‘N Go" and Hands-Free Access, enhancing utility. The interior lighting, with 27 customizable themes, added a touch of personalization to the cabin.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia, designed for open roads, featured comfortable front seats with soft leather upholstery and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. The second-row captain's chairs, however, did not slide, limiting flexibility for third-row passengers. The third row, mounted above the battery pack, offered limited comfort and legroom. The Sequoia's cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 86.9 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The adjustable cargo shelf helped maximize space, but the overall utility was reduced compared to its predecessor and rivals.

The 2022 Acura MDX was equipped with advanced technology, including the ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System with 16 speakers and 710 watts of amplification. The 12.3-inch infotainment screen and Acura Precision Cockpit digital instrument panel were standard, offering a customizable and intuitive interface. The MDX featured built-in Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Qi-compatible wireless device charger. The A-Spec and Advance trims included a CabinTalk feature, acting as an interior PA system. A head-up display and surround-view camera system were available on higher trims, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with connected services for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant for voice commands. The Sequoia offered a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, with a digital rearview mirror on higher trims. However, the system had some quirks, such as glare on the display and occasional issues with Bluetooth pairing.

The 2022 Acura MDX was engineered with a higher percentage of high-strength steel and an advanced safety structure for collision protection. It featured a low-speed braking control system, collision mitigation throttle control, and the AcuraWatch suite of safety and driver assistance technologies. These included collision mitigation braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more. While crash-test ratings were not available at the time, Acura aimed for improved ratings over the previous model.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. The Sequoia's safety systems were effective, though the lane-departure warning system's beeping could be irritating. Crash-test ratings were not available, but the Tundra, on which the Sequoia is based, received high ratings from the IIHS.