2024 Lexus RX vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S Advance trim was a blend of subtlety and luxury, with its Apex Blue Pearl paint and Orchid interior. Despite its high price tag of $74,995, the MDX Type S aimed to deliver quality and driving dynamism but fell short in some areas. The exterior featured chicane-design LED lights and 21-inch wheels, while the interior boasted perforated Milano leather and a Sport Appearance package. However, the design had some drawbacks, such as the tapering body that could appear dented and the challenging gloss black dashboard controls.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus RX, following a redesign, presented a mixed bag of styling choices. The front end was dominated by an oversized grille and a bulky hood, which seemed awkward, especially in lighter colors. The sides featured bulging body panels, while the rear had a more cohesive design. Inside, the RX offered a conventional layout with faux suede inserts and a large 14-inch infotainment touchscreen. The interior was comfortable, though the simulated woodgrain lacked authenticity. Overall, the RX's design leaned more towards comfort than sportiness.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). Despite the performance upgrades, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive driving experience. The transmission was indecisive, and the ride lacked compliance, with squealing tires and poor brake pedal modulation. The fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 16.9 mpg, below the EPA rating of 19 mpg. The MDX Type S was more agreeable in Normal mode but fell short as a driver's SUV, with issues in Sport and Sport+ modes.

The 2024 Lexus RX offered four models, starting with the RX 350, powered by a 275-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter engine. The RX 350h hybrid produced 246 hp, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance combined a turbo 2.4-liter engine with a hybrid powertrain for 366 hp. The RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid delivered 304 hp and an electric-only range of 37 miles. The RX 350 and RX 350h felt underpowered, while the RX 450h+ was more responsive, reaching 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. The RX prioritized comfort over sportiness, with a soft suspension that smoothed road imperfections but resulted in noticeable body roll.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seats, with a choice of two or three second-row seating positions. The Type S Advance trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage. The second-row seats were comfortable, but the third row was best suited for children. The MDX provided 18.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. However, the interior design prioritized style over storage space, with limited storage options.

The 2024 Lexus RX provided ample front seat space with power adjustments and standard heating. The rear seats offered good legroom and headroom, with manual sunshades for privacy. The RX had 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with the second row folded. The load floor was slightly taller than competitors, requiring more effort for loading. The RX's interior featured a wireless charging pad, USB ports, and a deep storage bin, offering plenty of space for personal items.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and infotainment display. However, the infotainment system required the use of a True Touchpad Interface (TTI), which was less intuitive than a touchscreen. The MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In. The top-shelf ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers delivered impressive sound quality. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display, though the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs.

The 2024 Lexus RX introduced a more conventional infotainment system with a touchscreen, available in 9.8-inch or 14-inch sizes. The system featured natural speech commands and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The RX offered a cloud-based navigation system, though it was prone to connectivity issues. The available 21-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system provided excellent audio quality. The RX's steering wheel had multi-function pads, and the head-up display showed button functions for ease of use.

The 2023 Acura MDX came with the Acura Watch suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. It also featured blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The MDX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it earned four stars in the frontal-impact test.

The 2024 Lexus RX earned five stars in overall and side collision protection from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick, despite a "Poor" rating in the moderate frontal overlap test. The RX included the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Additional features included parking sensors, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system.