2024 Acura MDX vs 2024 Lexus TX

The 2024 Acura MDX stood out with its striking exterior design and high-tech interior. The prominent shield grille, flanked by stylish sleeker headlights and accented by intake vents, presented a refined and modern presence. The lower bumper area exhibited a graceful curvature, enhancing the SUV's contemporary look. Inside, the MDX delivered a busy yet high-tech atmosphere. The myriad of controls in the center console demanded some acclimation, but they offered a touch of sophistication and utility.

Offered in several trims, each MDX variant—beginning with the base model and extending to the Technology, A-Spec, and Advance Packages—provided a variety of standard and optional features. Tri-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, synthetic leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable and heated front seats were all standard. The Technology Package added ambient lighting, navigation, and a 12-speaker ELS premium stereo system, while the A-Spec trim introduced a sportier dimension with unique styling touches and a robust 16-speaker ELS system, among other upgrades. The top-end Type-S Advance trim boasted a 26-speaker ELS audio system and massaging front seats.

The 2024 Lexus TX based its design on the Toyota Grand Highlander, presenting an upscale appearance distinct from its familial counterpart. The styling of the TX was toned down compared to other Lexus models, resulting in a more conservative, albeit somewhat anonymous, aesthetic. Equipped with the Luxury trim, which sported impressive 22-inch silver-finish wheels, the TX displayed a striking presence.

Available in TX 350, TX 500h F Sport Performance, and the yet-to-be-released TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid models, the TX lineup offered a range of prices from $55,050 to $69,350. The TX 350, anticipated to be the most popular version, came with a base level of specifications. Our focus on the TX 350 Luxury trim revealed a plethora of features, including upgraded ambient interior lighting, premium semi-aniline leather upholstery, and various optional packages for added convenience and technology.

The interior of the TX 350 Luxury model appeared luxurious enough for the Lexus badge, despite the Peppercorn interior leaning toward a darker tonal palette that contrasted with the panoramic glass sunroof. While comfortable, the front seats lacked a massage function, a notable absence in its class.

The 2024 Acura MDX featured a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Type-S variant upgraded to a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivering an impressive 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive, provided strong acceleration and smooth power delivery, making the MDX Type-S light on its feet yet comfortable over varied terrains.

The adaptive air suspension in the MDX Type-S, including Brembo performance brakes, contributed to its handling prowess. Selectable driving modes such as Comfort, Normal, Sport, Sport+, Snow, and Individual allowed drivers to tailor the ride to their preferences. Additionally, the MDX offered a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with AWD versions, while FWD models maxed out at 3,500 pounds.

In contrast, the Lexus TX 350 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine generating 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. While this may have sounded inadequate for a midsize, three-row luxury SUV, it managed to perform adequately in everyday driving scenarios, albeit with some drawbacks like an irritating engine note and torque steer in FWD models.

According to Lexus, the TX 350 accelerated to 60 mph in eight seconds (7.8 seconds with AWD). Despite its adequate acceleration, the fuel economy of the FWD model stood at 23 mpg in combined driving, averaging 20.4 mpg during testing. The AWD variant offered slightly better traction in adverse conditions and potentially alleviated torque steer issues.

The TX 350's ride and handling were balanced, with a firm yet compliant suspension that ensured a comfortable ride. Accurate steering and proper weighting added to the overall driving experience, while the quiet interior enhanced highway trips. However, the brake pedal on the pre-production test car felt too soft but maintained effective modulation.

With three rows of seating, the 2024 Acura MDX offered comfort in the first and second rows, though the third row was best suited for children due to its smaller size. Cargo capacity included 16.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and reaching a maximum of 71.4 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The MDX also featured an additional storage area beneath the cargo load floor and a standard power liftgate, with a hands-free variant available on higher trims.

The MDX's second-row bench included a fold-down center console with integrated cupholders but did not offer captain’s chairs. The console provided convenience, while the center stack of controls, albeit cluttered, tried to optimize space utilization.

On the Lexus side, the TX addressed past shortcomings of Lexus three-row SUVs. The TX 350 Luxury's front seats, although lacking a massage function, provided comfort with heated and ventilated features. The second-row bench offered adequate space, with heated and ventilated captain’s chairs as an option. The third-row seats were notably more spacious and adult-friendly compared to previous Lexus models.

Cargo space in the Lexus TX was generous, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and an impressive 97 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down. While the storage slots and cubbies in the TX met practical needs, the lack of lining in some areas might lead to noise vibrations.

The 2024 Acura MDX fell short in the technology department, primarily due to its cumbersome infotainment system. The 12.3-inch display atop the dash was not a touchscreen; instead, it relied on a touchpad below the shifter for control. This interface proved to be painfully unintuitive and detracted from the overall user experience.

Despite its clumsy infotainment system, the MDX offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Multiple USB ports, a digital instrument panel, and wireless charging were also standard. Acura's clever placement of charging ports and the ergonomic leather handrest for the touchpad were highlights in an otherwise frustrating interface.

The Lexus TX's optional Technology Package equipped the SUV with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, head-up display, digital rearview mirror, surround-view camera, and semi-autonomous parking assist system. However, this package also introduced unmarked dual-purpose steering wheel controls, which could be distracting, especially since the head-up display struggled with visibility under polarized sunglasses.

The Lexus Interface infotainment system, with its 14-inch touchscreen display, was more user-friendly, particularly when paired with the complimentary three-year Drive Connect subscription. This system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a cloud-based navigation system, and a digital assistant with natural voice recognition.

Also included were 10-year subscriptions to Service Connect and Safety Connect, providing automatic collision notification, emergency calling, and stolen vehicle locator functionalities. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system delivered impressive audio quality, making it a worthy upgrade.

The Acura MDX was well-equipped with advanced safety features, grouped under its AcuraWatch suite. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, driver attention monitoring, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Technology Package added front and rear parking sensors, reverse automatic emergency braking, and rain-sensing wipers. The Advance Package included a 360-degree camera system and a head-up display.

Although the 2024 MDX had not yet been tested by NHTSA or IIHS, the 2022 MDX had received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. The MDX excelled in all phases of crash prevention technology, earning top scores.

Lexus equipped the TX with an array of driver assistance systems under the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 umbrella. This included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, road sign assist, intersection assist, and automatic high beams. Additional features such as Proactive Drive Assist enhanced safety, though it could feel somewhat intrusive.

Other safety features in the TX included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe exit assist system. Optional front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist provided added peace of mind. The traffic jam assist system offered low-speed hands-free driving on approved highways, proving effective during brief evaluations.