2024 Acura MDX vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid was redesigned with subtlety in mind. The RX 350h Luxury model, with its Iridium silver finish and 21-inch wheels, looked nearly identical to the standard RX 350, lacking any overt hybrid indicators. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling. Inside, the RX adopted a minimalistic design with improved infotainment, ambient lighting, and luxurious materials like Macadamia leather and Ash Bamboo wood in the RX 350h. The RX 500h featured a sportier interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim.

The 2024 Acura MDX impressed with its modern exterior, featuring a large shield grille and sleek headlights. Inside, it was high-tech but cluttered, with numerous controls on the center console. The MDX offered various trims, each adding features like ambient lighting, premium audio systems, and leather upholstery. The Type-S Advance package included a 26-speaker sound system and massaging front seats, enhancing comfort and luxury. Despite its busy interior, the MDX provided a refined and comfortable ride, especially on highways.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two main hybrid options. The RX 350h, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving 36 mpg in combined driving. It accelerated to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. It featured an adaptive damping suspension and rear-wheel steering, providing a dynamic driving experience, though it averaged only 20.9 mpg in testing.

The 2024 Acura MDX came with a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. The Type-S variant featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The MDX Type-S Advance offered strong acceleration and a comfortable ride, with adaptive air suspension and Brembo brakes enhancing performance. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed for various driving modes, including Sport+ and Lift mode, providing versatility for different driving conditions.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable interior with ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and effective climate control. The RX 500h had eight-way adjustable seats with larger bolsters. The battery placement under the rear seat improved leg support but limited headroom. Cargo space was 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2024 Acura MDX offered three rows of seating, with the first two rows being comfortable and supportive. The third row was smaller, suitable for children. Cargo space was 16.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 71.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The MDX featured a power liftgate and a hands-free option on higher trims. The center console provided ample storage, though the control layout was cluttered.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription services for full functionality. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a cloud-based navigation system and Intelligent Assistant. However, the system had limitations, such as single-screen viewing and reflection issues. The head-up display with touch-sensing control pads was problematic for users with polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Acura MDX's infotainment system was less intuitive, using a touchpad instead of a touchscreen. Despite this, it offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The center console cleverly integrated charging ports, but the overall interface was cumbersome compared to competitors.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced driving assistance systems like motorcycle detection and evasive steering assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also included, though some features were less intuitive with polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Acura MDX included a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, such as automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. The Technology Package added parking sensors and reverse emergency braking, while the Advance package offered a 360-degree camera and head-up display. The 2022 MDX received high safety ratings, which carried over to the 2024 model.