Lexus TX vs Acura ADX

The 2025 Acura ADX, despite sharing its platform with the Honda HR-V, distinguished itself with unique Acura styling. Its large pentagonal grille with diamond-patterned mesh was a standout feature, complemented by standard LED lighting across the board. The sporty rear design included vent-like creases, a hatch-top wing, and dual exhaust outlets. The ADX offered 18-inch wheels as standard, with 19-inch options for A-Spec trims, and a range of six exterior colors, though the base trim was limited to grayscale shades. Inside, the ADX exuded Acura's premium feel, with genuine leather in the A-Spec Advance model and a thoughtful use of textured black trim to minimize glare and fingerprints. However, interior color options were restricted based on exterior color choices.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a variety of trims, with the 550h+ plug-in hybrid featuring a panoramic glass roof and Matador Red Mica paint. The TX maintained a large grille and sharp bi-LED headlights, with LED lighting spanning the rear. Roof rails were standard, and the 550h+ boasted 22-inch wheels. Interior options included Birch, Black, and Peppercorn colors, with ambient lighting and suede trim. However, material quality fell short of luxury standards, with basic plastics present. The redesigned door handles were a novelty, but some might have preferred more attention to cabin detail.

The 2025 Acura ADX came standard with a 1.5-liter VTEC turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. While not the most powerful in its class, it offered adequate performance for daily driving and was priced competitively. The ADX featured four drive modes—Sport, Normal, Comfort, and Snow—allowing drivers to tailor their experience. Visibility was excellent, and noise cancellation measures were effective. However, for those prioritizing fuel economy, competitors with hybrid powertrains offered better efficiency.

The 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid delivered 404 horsepower from its 3.5-liter V6 and hybrid system. It offered multiple drive options, including electric-only and hybrid modes, and featured Normal, Eco, Sport, and Custom drive modes. The TX provided a smooth and quiet ride, with a capable AWD system and Trail Mode for slippery conditions. The suspension handled bumps well, making it ideal for long road trips. However, the TX's onboard charger was not the fastest, taking nearly three hours for a full charge.

The 2025 Acura ADX offered a premium interior with leatherette seating in the base trim and genuine leather in the Advance Package. Heated front seats and a power-adjustable driver's seat were standard, with additional features in higher trims. The ADX provided ample headroom and legroom, surpassing some competitors, and offered 24.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 55.1 cubic feet. A power tailgate and dual-zone climate control were standard.

The 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ featured luxury amenities like multi-zone climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The third row was spacious, with recline function and USB-C ports. However, folding the second row flat was cumbersome. The front seats lacked thigh support, but the heating function was excellent. The TX offered 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats up, expanding to 97 cubic feet with the second row folded. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2025 Acura ADX came equipped with a nine-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. The Advance Package added Alexa Built-In, Google Built-In, and a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. The ADX's infotainment system was user-friendly, with a physical volume knob and a fun "beosonic" app for audio customization.

The 2026 Lexus TX featured a 14-inch touchscreen, but some tech aspects lacked polish. Steering wheel controls were confusing, and the infotainment system occasionally switched audio sources unexpectedly. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but in-dash navigation required a subscription. The TX offered a clear back-up camera, Advanced Park system, and a rear-camera mirror. It had seven USB ports and wireless charging, with an available 120-volt outlet in the second row.

The 2025 Acura ADX included the AcuraWatch suite as standard, with features like adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and lane-keeping assist. It earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star Overall Safety Rating from the NHTSA.

The 2026 Lexus TX came with Safety System+ 3.0, including forward collision warning, Lane Tracing Assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. The adaptive cruise control worked well, though setup was confusing. The TX 350 and 500h earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA, while the IIHS rated it "Acceptable" in some crash tests.