2024 Acura MDX vs 2023 Toyota Sequoia

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia presented a bold and commanding presence, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. Its redesigned 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 luxurious feel, especially in the upscale Capstone trim. The interior boasted a massive 14-inch infotainment system and a two-tone color scheme, though some materials reminded drivers of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $59,895 for the base SR5 and reaching $79,895 for the Capstone with 4WD. Off-road enthusiasts could opt for the TRD Pro or add a TRD Off-Road Package to the SR5 and Limited trims for enhanced capability.

The 2024 Acura MDX impressed with its sleek and modern design, featuring a large shield grille, rakish headlights, and a refined lower bumper. Inside, the MDX offered a high-tech but busy cabin, with a plethora of controls on the center console. The MDX was available in several trims, including the Technology, A-Spec, and Advance Packages, as well as the Type-S and Type-S Advance. Standard features included tri-zone climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, and a panoramic sunroof. The Type-S Advance trim added a 26-speaker ELS sound system and massaging front seats, providing a luxurious driving experience. While the MDX's cabin may not have matched the opulence of some competitors, its massaging seats were a standout feature.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a hybrid powertrain, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and an electric motor/generator. This setup delivered 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, allowing for impressive towing and payload capacities. The Sequoia's maximum tow rating was 9,520 pounds, and it could carry a payload of 1,730 pounds. Fuel efficiency improved significantly, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg for 4WD and 22 mpg for RWD. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. However, the steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2024 Acura MDX featured a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The Type-S variant came with a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivering 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. Power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the option of Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive System. The MDX Type-S Advance offered strong acceleration and a comfortable ride, thanks to its adaptive air suspension and Brembo performance brakes. The Integrated Dynamics System provided various driving modes, including Sport, Sport+, Snow, Comfort, and Normal, with an Individual mode for customization. The MDX's towing capacity reached 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs provided comfort, but the third-row seat was less accommodating due to its high floor and low roof. Cargo space was limited, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 22.3 cubic feet by sliding the seat forward. Folding the third row increased capacity to 49 cubic feet, while folding the second row offered 86.9 cubic feet. The Sequoia's hybrid powertrain compromised overall utility, reducing cargo space compared to its predecessor.

The 2024 Acura MDX came standard with three rows of seating, with the first two rows offering comfort and support. The third row was smaller and best suited for children. Cargo space measured 16.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 39.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Maximum cargo capacity reached 71.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The MDX featured a power liftgate, with a hands-free option available on higher trims. The center console provided ample storage, though the center stack of controls was cluttered and unintuitive.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base SR5 and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with connected services offering user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant. However, the display suffered from glare, and the system occasionally experienced glitches. The Capstone trim added a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, though the digital rearview mirror was standard only on higher trims.

The 2024 Acura MDX's infotainment system was its weak point, with a 12.3-inch display controlled by a touchpad that was unintuitive and frustrating to use. Despite this, the MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, satellite radio, HD radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The center console featured cleverly placed charging ports and a leather handrest for the touchpad. However, the infotainment system detracted from the overall experience, making it less appealing compared to competitors with more user-friendly interfaces.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, bundled into Toyota Safety Sense 2.5. This included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Sequoia also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. While crash test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's platform shared with the Tundra, which received high marks from the IIHS.

The 2024 Acura MDX offered a robust set of driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Technology Package added parking sensors and reverse automatic emergency braking, while the Advance Package included a 360-degree camera system and a head-up display. The 2022 MDX, which the 2024 model carried over from, received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and was a 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick+.