2022 Kia Seltos vs 2022 Acura MDX

The 2022 Acura MDX was a standout in the three-row luxury crossover SUV category, offering a spacious interior that belied its compact exterior appearance. Built on a new dedicated platform, the MDX featured a longer wheelbase, wider body, and an increased dash-to-axle distance, enhancing its elegant design. The exterior boasted standard Jewel Eye LED headlights and larger wheels, contributing to a sportier and modern look. Inside, the MDX's cabin was refined with authentic materials like natural wood and real leather, complemented by high-quality plastics. The dashboard design emphasized cabin width, and the unique gear selection controls added a touch of sophistication. The MDX's interior was both comfortable and functional, with a range of colour options for both the exterior and interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Seltos positioned itself between the smaller Soul and larger Sportage, offering a practical and stylish small SUV option. The Seltos featured a good sense of style with exposed stitching and metallic accents, though the abundance of hard plastic detracted from its overall appeal. The controls were logically arranged, with knobs and buttons for easy access to commonly used features. Despite some quirks, such as the purple accent colour for the infotainment system, the Seltos was larger, more refined, and more powerful than many of its competitors. It provided a lively driving experience, especially in urban settings, and was easy to park with excellent visibility.

The 2022 Acura MDX was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. It featured a new 10-speed automatic transmission and Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), which enhanced cornering feel and control. The MDX's suspension was upgraded with a double-wishbone setup in the front and revised rear multi-link suspension, improving ride quality and sporty handling. The vehicle's overall stiffness and rigidity were significantly improved, resulting in a solid ride feel. The MDX offered five drive modes, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences. During test drives, the MDX impressed with its performance, feeling closer to luxury benchmarks like the Audi Q7.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower. The turbo engine, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, provided a more engaging driving experience. The Seltos featured Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. However, the suspension tuning was less appealing, with the vehicle exhibiting lateral rocking motions on uneven pavement. Despite these issues, the Seltos was lively in urban environments and offered good grip from its 18-inch wheels and tires.

The 2022 Acura MDX excelled in versatility, offering comfortable seating for the first two rows and a flexible second row with a removable centre section. The third row was best suited for smaller passengers, but the MDX's seating capacity was appreciated for family use. The vehicle provided ample cargo space, with up to 2,690 litres available when the second and third rows were folded down. The power tailgate featured convenient functions like "Walk Away Close" and Hands-Free Access, enhancing utility. Interior lighting was customizable, with 27 themes available to suit different moods.

The 2022 Kia Seltos impressed with its roomy interior, making it easy to live with daily. The ride height and large door openings facilitated easy entry and exit, while the adjustable driver's seat and steering wheel allowed for a comfortable driving position. Heated front seats were standard on most trims, adding to the comfort level. The rear seat offered generous legroom and footroom, with additional features like rear air conditioning vents and a USB charging port on upper trims. Cargo space was also commendable, with 752 litres available behind the back seat and 1,778 litres with the rear seat folded down.

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 system and Acura Precision Cockpit digital instrument panel were standard, offering a configurable and user-friendly interface. Amazon Alexa integration, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot were also included. The MDX featured a head-up display on the Platinum Elite grade and a surround-view camera system, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system starting from the EX Premium grade, paired with a Bose premium sound system on the SX trim. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, connected services, and satellite radio, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto requiring a cable connection. The infotainment system was intuitive, with physical knobs and buttons for easy access to primary functions. However, the voice recognition system was less effective, and users were encouraged to rely on smartphone digital assistants for better results.

The 2022 Acura MDX received a "Top Safety Pick +" rating from the IIHS, with top marks in every category. The vehicle was engineered with a higher percentage of high-strength steel and an advanced safety structure for collision protection. The front end redesign improved pedestrian safety, and the low-speed braking control system enhanced safe operation in heavy traffic. The AcuraWatch suite of safety features was standard, including collision mitigation emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous driving assistance systems, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-keeping assist. The Seltos SX offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Highway Driving Assist. The lane-centring assist technology was accurate and refined, encouraging its use. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top marks for crashworthiness and crash-avoidance tech.