The comparison of the 2024 Acura MDX and the 2024 Lexus RX is a clash between two titans of the luxury crossover SUV segment. The Lexus RX has ruled the roost for over a decade and continues its dominance as the bestseller in the midsize luxury SUV segment by a large margin. The Acura MDX is third in sales in the segment for 2023, trailing just the RX and the BMW X5.
The Acura MDX and Lexus RX luxury crossovers share many attributes, but their differences are more telling. Tops on the list of differences is passenger-carrying capacity. The Acura MDX is a 7-passenger vehicle, whereas the Lexus RX seats five. (Lexus discontinued the 7-passenger RX L following the 2022 model year.)
The two also differ markedly in powertrain choices. The Acura MDX offers a normally aspirated V6 engine and a turbocharged V6 in its sporty Type S. The Lexus RX offers a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and three (yes, three) separate hybrid choices. The RX 500h F Sport Performance—a hybrid—is the RX's hottest version (if you can call a crossover SUV hot). It has the horsepower to go head-to-head with the Acura MDX Type S.
Acura gave the MDX a complete makeover for the 2022 model year and introduced the MDX Type S a bit later that same year. Lexus engineered a total makeover of the RX for 2023, giving it new standard and optional powertrains and revamping the model lineup. The latest addition to the RX family is the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) RX 450h+, introduced in 2024.
Both the Acura MDX and Lexus RX have front-wheel-drive (FWD) base models. All-wheel drive (AWD) is widely available across both the MDX and RX lineups. Their makers designed both as road-going luxury people-haulers, neither intended for heavy off-road duty. But while the two crossovers share these similarities, the MDX has a different personality than the RX. You can learn more about that and which of these luxury crossovers could suit you in this detailed comparison of the 2024 Acura MDX and the 2024 Lexus RX.
2024 Acura MDX
Acura gives shoppers the choice of two MDX trim levels: base and Type S. It spices those up with three option packages: Technology, A-Spec, and Advance. Buyers can purchase the 2024 Acura MDX with any of the three packages. The Type S offers the Advance package as an add-on.
The base MDX carries a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $51,500, including the $1,350 destination charge. The mid-range MDX with the A-Spec package has a suggested starting price of $61,900. The sporty Type S, with the higher horsepower engine, has a base price of $69,800. With the Advance package, the MDX Type S has a suggested retail price of $75,150.
The 2024 Lexus RX offers the choice of five conventionally powered trims: RX 350, RX 350 Premium, RX 350 Premium+, RX 350 Luxury, and RX 350 F Sport Handling AWD. It also comes in six hybrid trims: RX 350h AWD, RX 350h Premium AWD, RX 350h Premium+ AWD, RX 350h Luxury AWD, RX 450h+ Luxury AWD, and RX 500h F Sport Performance AWD. The RX 450h+ Luxury AWD is a plug-in hybrid.
The least expensive RX is the RX 350, with a suggested starting price of $49,950 in FWD form and $51,550 with AWD. In the middle of the lineup, the RX 350 Premium+ begins at $53,950 when equipped with FWD. The RX 350 F Sport Handling AWD has a suggested base price of $58,550. On the hybrid side of the ledger, the least expensive model is the RX 350h AWD, with a base of $52,100. The RX 450h+ PHEV has a starting price of $70,580.
Advantage: Lexus RX
2024 Lexus RX 350 Premium
The Acura MDX does not rank among the top three models in the Midsize Premium SUV segment in the JD Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which assesses owner-reported problems during the third year of ownership. The MDX also does not rank among the top three models in its segment in the JD Power 2023 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS).
The 2024 Acura MDX has the following warranty, roadside assistance, and scheduled maintenance coverage:
The Lexus RX ranks highest in the Midsize Premium SUV segment in the 2024 VDS but does not rank among the top three models in its segment in the 2023 IQS.
The 2024 Lexus RX has the following warranty, roadside assistance, and scheduled maintenance coverage:
Advantage: Lexus RX
2024 Acura MDX Type S
Acura equips the 2024 MDX with one of two powertrains. Most 2024 Acura MDX SUVs have a 290-horsepower 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine teamed with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Drivers can choose individual gears via paddle shifters on the steering wheel.
Front-wheel drive is standard on the MDX and MDX with the Technology package. Acura's sophisticated Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system is optional on those and standard on MDXs with the A-Spec and Advance packages and on all versions of the Type S. The MDX Type S increases the fun-to-drive quotient with its 355-hp, turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. Acura teams it with a 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters.
The front-drive MDX is the most fuel-efficient version in the lineup, with a 22-mpg combined mileage rating, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA.) With AWD, MDX models fitted with the 3.5-liter V6 get 21 mpg combined. The Type S trims are EPA-rated at 19 mpg combined. The 290-hp MDX models have more than adequate pep, but the Type S, with more horsepower and a revised suspension, is more fun to drive.
Lexus offers RX buyers the choice of four powertrains, including three hybrids. Most 2024 Lexus RX customers will likely opt for the RX 350 with its 275-hp, turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder teamed with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The hybrid RX 350h AWD pairs two electric motors with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder gasoline to produce 246 total horsepower. The hybrid RX 500h AWD ups the performance with a turbocharged 2.4-liter gasoline engine working with two electric drive motors to deliver a hearty 366 hp.
The new-for-2024 RX 450h+ features a PHEV powertrain. It teams a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine with two electric drive motors for 302 combined horsepower. In addition to stellar fuel economy, it offers an EPA-estimated 37-mile driving range on battery power.
The turbo-powered RX 350 is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. The three hybrids outdo that significantly. The RX 350h gets a 36-mpg combined fuel-economy estimate from the EPA, and the RX 500h gets a 29-mpg combined rating. The RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid has a manufacturer-estimated 83-MPGe combined rating.
In addition to better fuel economy, the hybrid RX models offer better all-around drivability than the turbocharged RX 350. Despite offering more horsepower, the F Sport trims aren't as rewarding as the MDX Type S from a performance angle.
Advantage: Lexus RX
2024 Lexus RX 350
Every 2024 Acura MDX includes AcuraWatch technology, the brand's collection of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), many of which are safety-oriented. AcuraWatch includes virtually all the commonly standard systems and adds blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, traffic-sign recognition, and traffic-jam assist. Acura equips all 2024 MDX SUVs with hill-start assist and a washer for the rearward-facing camera system.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2024 Acura MDX the highest possible 5-star rating for overall crashworthiness. At the time of writing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hasn't rated the 2024 Acura MDX, but it named the structurally similar 2023 MDX a Top Safety Pick+.
All 2024 Lexus RX models feature Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, the brand's roster of electronic safety technology. In addition to the typical array of ADAS, Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 includes several unusual technologies. Its Proactive Driving Assist activates gentle braking into curves. It also applies gentle braking and steering inputs to maintain the distance between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist.
Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist applies gentle braking and steering to avoid collisions with detectable objects within the RX's lane. Left Turn Oncoming Vehicle Detection/Braking, also known as intersection turn assistance, activates a warning, and then automatically brakes if the system determines the driver is turning left in front of an oncoming vehicle.
At the time of writing, the NHTSA has not rated the 2024 Lexus RX for overall crashworthiness. The IIHS hasn't rated the 2024 Lexus RX but named the structurally similar 2023 RX a Top Safety Pick+.
Advantage: Lexus RX
2024 Acura MDX Type S
All 2024 Acura MDXs have Alexa Built-in and natural voice recognition. That's a very good thing because the infotainment system in the MDX doesn't use a touchscreen but instead requires the use of a console-mounted touchpad. The 12.3-inch center display is big and clear, but using the touchpad can be difficult. The answer to that issue is simply to talk to the system, and it proves pretty good at listening and responding.
The infotainment system in the MDX is full-featured. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability are standard. All but the base MDX offer integral navigation with 3D view, real-time traffic, and rerouting through Acura Link connected services.
In addition to the center display screen, all 2024 MDXs feature a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The base MDX has a 9-speaker audio system. Acura offers ELS Studio premium audio systems with individual packages. The MDX with Technology package has a 12-speaker system. Other packages feature 16 speakers, and the Type S with the Advance package sports a 25-speaker ELS Studio audio system.
The 2024 Lexus RX offers a standard 9.8-inch infotainment system touchscreen, while a 14-inch high-definition touchscreen is available. The homegrown infotainment array is full-featured and easy to use. Its menu operations mimic those found in smartphones and tablets, happily supplemented by an on/off/volume knob at the center of the touchscreen's bottom edge. The Lexus screens provide clearly labeled icons. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are standard.
A three-year Direct Connect connected services trial provides cloud-based integral navigation, destination assistance, and voice control. The system can store user profiles that drivers can access in other Lexus vehicles. Additional RX tech features include a head-up display, active parking assistance, and a 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround-sound audio system.
Advantage: Lexus RX
2024 Lexus RX 350 Premium
The 2024 Acura MDX is a 3-row, 7-passenger vehicle, perhaps its biggest differentiator from the 5-passenger Lexus RX. Acura has significantly upped its interior luxury game in the past few years. The base MDX includes niceties like 3-zone automatic climate control, 12-way power-operated heated front seats with power lumbar support, brushed aluminum trim, and LED cabin lighting.
The second-row seats are 4-way adjustable and feature a removable center seat. The third-row seats are split 50/50; a one-touch slide and walk-in feature aids access to them. The A-Spec package includes heated and ventilated front seats covered in red leather with Ultrasuede trim, metal sport pedals, and a flat-bottom sport steering wheel with metal paddle shifters. The top-of-the-line MDX Type S Advance offers optional 16-way power front seats with nine massage modes.
The Acura MDX is 5 inches longer than the RX, and it is roomier inside. It provides 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats. With the third row folded, it has 48.4 cubic feet of space. With both second- and third-row seats folded, it contains a whopping 95.0 cubic feet of space. The maximum towing capacity for AWD-equipped MDX SUVs is 5,000 pounds.
The 2024 Lexus RX gives buyers the choice of more opulent interiors than those in the MDX. Buyers can choose among six interior color schemes. The four available trim styles feature ash, bamboo, black open-pore wood, and dark-finished aluminum. Buyers can also select seats in a variety of colors. A retractable panoramic roof is available. It and the optional 14-theme ambient lighting brighten the cabin.
The front bucket seats offer good bolstering while remaining easy to get into. Front seats in the performance-look F Sport trims offer even deeper bolstering. Lexus designers play out the sports theme with a perforated leather-trimmed steering wheel and aluminum pedals.
The 40/20/40 power-operated split-folding rear bench offers optional heating and ventilation. You can open and close the power-operated liftgate via buttons on the key fob, dashboard, and the gate itself. You can also equip your RX with an optional kick sensor to make the operation hands-free.
The RX offers 29.6 cubic feet of luggage space with the rear seats in use. Fold the seats, and the space increases to 46.2 cubic feet. Most 2024 Lexus RX trims have a towing capacity of 3,494 pounds.
Advantage: Acura MDX
If you'd like to learn more about these premium SUVs, be sure to read our expert reviews of the Acura MDX, Acura MDX Type S, Lexus RX, and the Lexus RX Plug-in Hybrid. To find out how people like you rate models in this segment, check out our ratings from verified vehicle owners.
Also, please keep in mind that while the information in this article was accurate and valid on October 19, 2023, it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker's website or your local dealership.
Jack R. Nerad has reviewed cars, trucks, vans, and sport utilities for over three decades. He also managed the editorial efforts of Motor Trend magazine, JD Power, and Kelley Blue Book. Jack is currently the host of the SportsMap Radio Network program America on the Road, which is available on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Stitcher, and other outlets.
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