The midsize SUV is the default hauler for many American families, even among luxury vehicles. Two- and three-row crossovers offer plenty of interior room and comfort to go with their leather seats, high-end audio, and touchscreen infotainment.
Two of the most popular luxury SUVs are built in North America, and sold by upscale brands from Japanese automakers.
The 2025 Acura MDX delivers style, sportiness, space, and luxury. Based on the platform from the Honda Odyssey minivan and Pilot SUV, it’s a cooler, more upscale alternative to both.
The 2024 Lexus RX comes from Toyota’s luxury brand and similarly offers more luxury and cachet than the mainstream family haulers. It offers a trio of hybrids, including a plug-in, while the MDX sticks to gas models.
But not all midsize luxury SUVs are created equal. The Acura MDX’s third row is small and only meant for occasional use, but it’s there if needed in a pinch. Meanwhile, the new Lexus RX no longer has the tiny third row it had in its last generation.
Both of these SUVs serve families with a sense of style tinged with luxury. When it’s time to buy, however, which one is better?
MDX vs. RX prices and features
-
Base MDX costs about $52,000
-
Base RX costs about $50,000
-
Recommendations: MDX A-Spec and RX 350 Premium+
How much is an Acura MDX?
The MDX comes in six trim levels: base, Tech Package, Advance Package, A-Spec, A-Spec Advance, and Type S Advance. All-wheel drive costs $2,200 for the base and Tech Package versions, but is standard otherwise.
The $52,250 MDX comes standard with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Google built-in, Amazon Alexa, a wifi hotspot, synthetic leather upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable front sport seats, an 11-speaker audio system, wireless smartphone charging, a power tailgate, a panoramic sunroof, and 19-inch alloy wheels. It’s backed by a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty with two years or 24,000 miles of scheduled maintenance.
We recommend moving up to the MDX Tech Package, which costs $59,850 with all-wheel drive. It gets useful amenities that include a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, leather upholstery, passenger seat memory, remote starting, ambient lighting, two rear USB-C ports, front and rear parking sensors, a hands-free tailgate, and 20-inch wheels. It’s also quieter thanks to additional insulation in the fenders and door liners, plus laminated rear glass.
The line-topper is the Type S Advance. For $76,300, it adds such performance goodies as the 355-hp turbocharged V-6, an air suspension, adaptive dampers, bigger front brakes with Brembo calipers, and 21-inch wheels. It also gets expanded safety tech and more luxury features, including quilted Milano leather upholstery with synthetic suede seat inserts, 16-way front seats with cooling and massage, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 31-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.
How much is the Lexus RX?
Lexus sells the RX in RX 350, hybrid RX 350h, hybrid RX 500h, and plug-in hybrid RX 450h+ models, with available base, Premium, Premium+, Luxury, F Sport Handling, and F Sport Performance trim levels. Every RX gets a 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty with two free scheduled maintenance visits in the first year of ownership.
The base RX costs about $50,000 and comes standard with synthetic leather upholstery, heated 8-way power front seats, a power tilt/telescope steering column, a 9.8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, a wifi hotspot, a 12-speaker sound system, ambient lighting, and 19-inch alloy wheels.
We recommend moving up to the RX 350 Premium+, which adds leather upholstery, a 14.0-inch touchscreen, cooled front seats, a heated wood steering wheel, wireless smartphone charging, and a sunroof. It costs about $54,000 with front drive or $56,000 with all-wheel drive.
The top of the heap is the RX 450h+ for under $71,000. It comes with semi-aniline leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, and 21-inch wheels.
Advantage: A draw for similar prices and values.
MDX vs. RX performance and fuel economy
-
MDX makes 290 or 355 hp
-
RX offers 246-366 hp
-
RX has a trio of hybrids
In its base form, the MDX packs decent punch from a 290-hp 3.5-liter V-6 that’s capable of producing 0-60 mph times in the seven-second range. It’s hooked to a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic that usually has the right gear, but the paddle shifters come in handy for freeway passing. The base engine is EPA rated at 19 mpg city, 26 highway, 22 combined with front-wheel drive and 19/25/21 mpg with AWD.
The MDX feels more controlled, and almost sporty compared to the RX thanks in part to direct steering and prompt responses through the double-wishbone front suspension and multilink independent rear suspension.
The Type S model cranks up the power and handling prowess. It gets a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that ups the output to 355 hp and drops the 0-60 mph time to around six seconds. It drinks fuel at a rate of 17/21/19 mpg.
Adaptive dampers and a standard air suspension help firm up the Type S’s responses without hurting the good ride quality, despite 21-inch wheels. Available Sport and Sport+ modes lower the ground clearance 0.6 inch as well for a lower center of gravity and sharper moves. The air suspension can also raise the ride height 2.0 inches to clear off-road obstacles, but the Type S doesn’t have the tires or underbody protection to be an off-roader. Brembo front brake calipers are up to snuff for playing on twisty roads.
With all-wheel drive, the MDX can tow 5,000 pounds, and that drops to 3,000 pounds with front-wheel drive.
Lexus RX buyers have more powertrain choices. The base RX 350’s 2.4-liter turbo-4 makes 275 hp, pushing the RX from 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds with front-wheel drive or 7.2 seconds with AWD. It’s mated to an 8-speed automatic that responds readily. It’s rated at 22/29/25 mpg with front-drive and 21/28/24 mpg with AWD.
RX 350h customers get a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder and an electric motor to make 246 hp. The hybrid’s continuously variable automatic transmission can keep the revs high and droning under power, disrupting the RX’s typical quiet demeanor. It rates at a thrifty 37/34/36 mpg.
Lexus has a more powerful hybrid as well called the RX 500h F Sport Performance. It gets the RX 350’s 2.4-liter turbo-4 as well as a front motor-generator and a rear motor to make a total of 366 hp. It shifts through a 6-speed automatic transmission that feels more responsive than the RX 350h’s CVT, and it drops the 0-60 mph time to 5.9 seconds. The EPA rates it at 27/28/27 mpg.
The RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid teams the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with a pair of electric motors to produce 304 hp, which motivates the SUV from 0-60 mph in a quoted 6.2 seconds. An 18.1-kwh lithium-ion battery pack provides 37 miles of electric range. The EPA gives it an 83 MPGe rating, and when the electric range is gone it gets 36/33/35 mpg.
The RX features front MacPherson struts and a multilink rear suspension. The 350 F Sport Handling model adds adaptive dampers, and the RX 500h F Sport Performance gets those dampers plus rear-wheel steering.
In its base form, the RX is more controlled than it has been in the past, though it’s not quite up to the MDX’s level. It has a slightly better ride, though. The F Sport models are sharper than anything from Cadillac, Infiniti, or Lincoln, and the F Sport Performance approaches the MDX Type S’s moves, thanks in part to the rear-wheel steering that can virtually shorten the wheelbase by turning the rear wheels up to 4 degrees opposite of the fronts at lower speeds.
Advantage: A tie but the RX has the edge for hybrid fuel economy.
MDX vs. RX off-road and 4x4 systems
-
Both come with front- or all-wheel drive
-
The MDX’s all-wheel drive aids performance
-
Low-range gearing not available for either
Both the MDX and RX have front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive is optional. For the MDX, all-wheel-drive system sends power front to rear, with up to 70% going to the back, and it can also split power along the rear axle to help the MDX turn.
The RX has two types of all-wheel-drive systems. The standard system in RX 350 models varies the power from a 75:25 front bias to 50:50. In the RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+, the front tires are driven by the engine and an electric rear motor engages to give the vehicles all-wheel drive. The RX 500 Performance model’s Direct4 AWD system sends 70% of the power to the front axle and 30% to the rear entering a turn, and switches it to 20:80 coming out of a turn.
Neither system is meant for off-roading and neither comes with low-range gearing.
Advantage: Draw.
MDX vs. RX size, space, and seating capacity, and bed space
-
MDX is longer
-
RX seats five
-
MDX seats seven
How big is the Acura MDX?
The MDX is the bigger of these two SUVs. It has a 113.8-inch wheelbase and stretches 198.4 inches long. With three seating rows, it handles up to seven passengers.
Front-seat passengers sit on heated 12-way power seats that are upholstered in leather in all but the base model with no packages. The MDX front seat has good space in every dimension.
The MDX comes standard with a three-passenger second row, but the middle seat can be removed to open a path to the third row and its seatback can be folded down to reveal cupholders, an armrest, and a small tray. It’s smart packaging. Second-row passengers also have 38.5 inches of legroom, which will accommodate most adults, and it can move forward and back 5.9 inches to optimize legroom for the rear seating rows.
The second-row seats have pushbuttons to tuck and slide forward, which opens up an easy path to the third row. Once back there, two occupants have a miniscule 29.1 inches of legroom, which will only work for kids.
Cargo space maxes out at 71.4 cubic feet behind the first two, 39.3 cubes behind the second row, and 16.3 cubes behind the third row.
How big is the Lexus RX?
As a two-row SUV, the RX doesn’t need to be as big as the MDX. It’s 192.5 inches long on a wheelbase of 112.2 inches.
Every RX has 8-way power-adjustable front seats and synthetic leather comes standard, as does a power tilt/telescoping steering column to create a comfortable seating position. Semi-aniline leather, power lumbar support, and heating and cooling are available, but all RX front seats are all-day comfortable.
The second row has 37.4 inches of legroom, which will again work for most passengers, and three can fit across, especially if they are kids.
Lexus offers a power-folding second-row seat, and the plug-in hybrid model thas power buttons on the console-side of the front passenger seat to allow front or rear occupants move it. With the rear seats up, the RX has 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space and that expands to 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Hybrids have no less space.
Advantage: Draw but go with the MDX if you want a third row or more cargo space.
MDX vs. RX styling
-
The MDX has a sporty look
-
The RX takes on a streamlined shape
-
Finely finished interiors
The MDX benefits from Acura styling that has settled in as sporty and graceful. A shield-shaped grille with a large Acura logo highlights a wide, low nose. Horizontal LED headlights wrap from the grille into the sides of the front fenders, and below them sit outboard air intakes above an almost-full-width lower air intake.
Along the sides, a shoulder line runs straight from front to back where it intersects the taillights. Down low sits a character line that tucks in at the hips to create the hint of a Coke-bottle shape. The profile features a long hood, rear pillars that tilt forward, and a window line made to look sporty with rear windows that draw back to a triangular shape. The standard 19-inch wheels fill out the wells nicely, but the Type S’s 21s make it look more planted.
The MDX’s cabin has an upscale and techy look, and it now adopts a more traditional touchscreen infotainment system. That opens room on the center console for a wireless charging pad next to a pair of cupholders. The drive mode selector stands out as a silver dial located low on the dash. Well-chosen wood, aluminum, and leather materials provide the premium feel.
Over at Lexus, the RX takes a more streamlined approach with this generation that does away with the awkward lines. The hood is longer, the nose dips down up front, and a toned-down trapezoidal grille has a strip of body-color mesh up top and black mesh below. Thin headlights flank the grille, as do vertical air intakes.
Along the sides, most of the creases are gone, though a character line rises from the front to the rear wheel cutouts to create a sense of motion. Up top, it still has a floating roof that angles down drastically at the rear and it is topped by a built-in spoiler. The rear end sports a full-width taillight that incorporates the Lexus name, as well as air vents along the sides and in the rear bumper.
A curved bank of screens is the centerpoint of the cabin. The 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster is accompanied by a 9.8-inch or 14.0-inch touchscreen. It’s a much better system than Lexus’ old trackpad. The rest of the cabin is simple and attractive, with available leather and wood to warm up the ambiance. The pushbutton door handles work well, but it takes time to acclimate to them.
Advantage: The MDX.
MDX vs. RX safety
-
RX earn IIHS Top Safety Pick honors
-
MDX gets five stars from the NHTSA
-
Thick rear pillars disrupt outward vision in both
How safe is the Acura MDX?
Both of these vehicles have exemplary safety records. While the revised MDX has not yet been tested, it earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ honors and five stars from the NHTSA with front-wheel drive (the all-wheel-drive version hasn’t been rated). The structure is unchanged, so the IIHS ratings should hold, though revised criteria could change its results.
The MDX comes standard with automatic emergency braking, active lane control, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alerts, automatic high beams, traffic sign recognition, and a system that takes over the controls in a traffic jam. Also available are front and rear parking sensors and a surround-view camera system.
Rearward vision is partially blocked by thick rear pillars and the rear headrests.
How safe is the Lexus RX?
The NHTSA gives the RX five stars overall with all-wheel drive but only four stars with front-wheel drive.
Lexus outfits the RX with standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, active lane control, and automatic high beams. Also available are a surround-view camera system, automatic lane changes, and its own traffic jam-assist system.
The RX also has thick rear pillars that team with small rear quarter windows to disrupt vision to the rear.
Advantage: The MDX, for now.
Which is better: MDX or RX?
This is a close matchup, but the Acura MDX gets the win here with a TCC Rating of 7.2 out of 10 versus 7.0 for the Lexus RX. (.)
The MDX is the choice for anyone who wants a third-row seat, even though it is rather small. In our view, the MDX also has better looks and better handling, while the RX gets better fuel economy, especially from its hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Both are excellent and luxurious family haulers, and you can’t go wrong either way.