So, the Lexus RX and Acura MDX have long been some of the best-selling luxury crossovers on the market. That’s why even despite a larger 3-row option existing in the Lexus lineup, the TX, still most buyers continue to cross-shop these two options. So, with the Acura getting a big refresh for 2025, and the Lexus recently coming off a full redesign, who wins in a 2025 Acura MDX vs. 2024 Lexus RX battle? That’s what we are about to find out!
Pricing and Equipment
Per usual, we will start off this comparison by discussing pricing before we get into the exterior, interior or driving.
Beginning with the MDX, today we have the new A-Spec Advance trim, which has the sporty exterior design with all the goodies. As such, it demands a high price for an MDX; a touch under $70,000.
MDX (A-Spec Advance SH-AWD): $68,000 | Options: +$600 | Destination: $1,350 | Total: $69,950
Now on the flip side, the same money gets us the Lexus RX in the Luxury trim. This RX 350 Luxury with all the options, rings in at a grand total of $68,285.
RX (350 Luxury AWD): $59,330 | Options: +$7,605 | Destination: $1,350 | Total: $68,285
By the way, if you want to get the best price from local dealerships and access to invoice pricing info for these two models or any vehicle, we have a tool on our website to do just that. Click here for more information!
Exterior Design
Starting things off with the exteriors, both Lexus and Acura have taken a bold approach. The MDX gets a heavy refresh for 2025 which makes its front end a bit more aggressive, and the RX continues their most recent iteration of the spindle grille. Whichever you prefer will be up to you, but for lighting, both have premium multi-beam projector LEDs and they both also have LED foglamps as well.
Moving to the side, both are FWD-based crossovers, but their hoods have been lengthened to give them more pleasing proportions. On the MDX, the side design is punctuated by new 20-inch alloy wheels and the RX gets larger 21-inch alloys.
How that translates to ride quality is something we will discuss later on, but for now, the other thing to mention is the body color wheel surrounds only on the Lexus.
Length: 192.5-inches (RX) | 198.4-inches (MDX)
As we continue our way around to the rears, both have tasteful and luxurious designs. Beyond the cosmetics, there are a few differences between them, namely the fact that the RX hides its rear wiper under the spoiler, and the MDX uses exposed exhaust tips instead hiding them behind the bumper, whatever you prefer.
Both have premium full-LED taillights, but as far as towing capacity, the MDX does have the advantage.
Towing (max): MDX: 5,000 lbs | RX: 3,500 lbs
Additional Features
Now let’s move on to some of the individual features. Checking out the mirrors, they both are fully loaded featuring heating, blind spot monitoring, power-folding and auto-dimming, new to the A-Spec MDX.
In addition, both also include every other active safety system you can think of, standard on all trims. Among all the normal ones, you also have traffic jam assistants and MDX can even get an auto lane change feature, but it’s not offered until you get the even more expensive Type S.
Finally, let’s mention the warranties, which are the same besides for Acura reducing their complimentary maintenance to only one year for 2025.
MDX: Warranties: Basic Warranty: 4yr/50k mi | Powertrain: 6yr/70k mi | Complimentary Maintenance: 1 yr/12k mi
RX: Warranties: Basic Warranty: 4yr/50k mi | Powertrain: 6yr/70k mi | Complimentary Maintenance: 2 visits
Anyway, that concludes the outside, so now let’s see how luxurious and spacious the interiors are.
Interior Design
So, first walking up to them, both have smart entry systems and nice key fobs. We do have some differences, though. Only the RX is offering digital key which allows you to use your phone as key, and only the MDX includes remote start on the fob free for life.
Text: Lexus RX does have remote start but requires a subscription after a trial period.
Now when you open the doors you are greeted with two very modern and luxurious looking designs. The MDX’s interior stands out more in the bright red but rest assured that there are plenty of other colors are offered depending on both of them to fit your personal preference.
Starting with the seats themselves, both are heated, ventilated and have memory, but we have some big differences. MDX has 16-way adjustable seats instead of the 10-way on the Lexus, and it is also including seat massage on this trim level; a new feature for 2025.
Materials wise, the Lexus uses a premium semi-analine real leather and the Acura a quilted Milano leather.
But speaking of materials, let’s discuss overall material quality. Both are very nice places to spend time and have a wide variety of materials. I’m going to declare them equal in this regard since they both have certain advantages over the other, like more aluminum and leather on the dash in the MDX, but better materials on the center console in the RX.
After startup, you’ll see some differences right off the bat. First, the RX has an 8-inch partially digital cluster, while the MDX is rocking a 12.3-inch fully digital one. The second thing you notice is that both have large head-up displays for these loaded models.
Coming back to the steering wheels, both are leather-wrapped, power-adjusting and heated.
Storage and Technology
But moving to an area of big importance, let’s talk interior storage. At Car Confections, we stuff the center storage with donuts to measure volume since that’s our emblem. In this case, both fit the same 12 donuts, however, the MDX’s dash styling prevents it from having the large front bin that the RX has.
Both have wireless phone chargers, and they also have electronic shifters. Once in reverse, you’ll find a 360-degree camera system on both, and they have good resolution.
Now that brings us to the volume knobs, so let’s give the audio systems a sample.
RX: 21-speaker Mark Levinson PurePlay audio
MDX: 19-speaker, 1400 watts, Bang and Olfsen Premium Audio
The MDX has a new Bang and Olufsen system this year, and in practice, both have spectacular sound experiences that will seriously impress. The only distinguishable difference are the MDX’s metal speaker grilles.
The climate control systems are 3-zone automatic, and both have knobs to easily adjust the temperature. And that takes us up to these two infotainment systems which are quite different. Despite being updated for 2025, the Acura’s display is still smaller at 12.3-inches vs. the RX’s 14-inches.
Thankfully, though, both are operated via touch this year and they have wireless AA and ACP. Another difference you will find is the Google built-in on the MDX exclusively. That allows for useful apps like Google Maps to be built in natively without pairing your phone.
Wrapping up the front of the cabins, only the Lexus has a rear camera mirror system and both of them have large panoramic sunroofs.
Rear Seats and Cargo
Most people use these for family vehicles, so now let’s check out the crucial rear areas.
Starting with the space, these two are sized nearly identically. In both leg and headroom, the MDX does hold a tiny advantage, but it’s less than the 5% difference required to score a point.
- MDX: Legroom: 38.5-inches | Headroom: 38.1-inches
- RX: Legroom: 37.4-inches | Headroom: 37.0-inches
Let’s also talk about the amenities you will find in the back. Choosing these high-end trims will unlock a slew of features in both, including climate controls, USB ports, rear sunshades, and heated rear seats. Lexus has a few advantages, though. It has ventilated rear seats which aren’t offered on the MDX, and power reclining second row seats also not offered.
However, the MDX fights back with a multi-function middle seat, which can be a seat, a center console with storage, or removed to make captain chairs.
And now we come to a very important element. Remember at the beginning of the video when I mentioned the new 3-row Lexus TX? Well, that’s a choice because the RX has no third-row option for this new generation. That means if you need a third row or want the option even for occasional use, then the MDX will have to be your choice even though it’s not the best third row.
Heading to the cargo areas, again we have substantial differences. According to the numbers, the MDX has a whopping 27% advantage behind the second row, and 25.2 cu.ft more max cargo volume. That’s significant for families shopping in this segment. HALF X2
MDX: Behind 3rd row: 16.3 cu.ft | Behind 2nd row: 39.1 cu.ft | MAX: 71.4 cu.ft
RX: Behind 2nd Row: 29.6-cu.ft | Max: 46.2-cu.ft
Both the seats can fold 40/20/40 split, but only on the Lexus are you going to have a fully power folding mechanism which continues to not be offered on MDX.
But now its time to take this fight out on the street!
Powertrains
So, heading out on the road, both these crossovers are very focused on the mission of comfort, but they go about things in different ways. Even after the refresh, the MDX sticks on the traditional route, using a 3.5L naturally aspirated V-6 engine under the hood. However, the RX has switched to a turbo 4-cylinder in this new generation. This means the Acura has more horsepower but the Lexus has more torque.
- MDX: 3.5L V6: 290 hp | 267 lb.ft
- RX: 2.4L Turbo I-4: 275 hp | 317 lb.ft of torque
Let’s also address the smoothness. Lexus has done a good job making the turbo-4 quite smooth and refined, but when it comes to engine NVH, there’s no replacement for a tried-and-true V6.
We also need to other aspect of the powertrain, the transmissions. Both offer smooth and luxury oriented 8 and 10-speed automatics. After spending time with both extensively, we do think the MDX has a slight advantage in responsiveness, it’s not enough to score a point.
Test Drive and Fuel Economy
And speaking of smoothness, that is really the most important thing with these luxury SUV’s. Both rides amazingly and absorb all but the largest road imperfections. If you want a sportier characteristic that can be had in the RX 500h F-Sport or MDX Type S respectively.
We also collected our signature sound level readings as we do in all Car Confections reviews for both SUV’s. They both came in incredibly quiet at 51.5 and 53.9 dB for the MDX and RX respectively, although the MDX was tested in California on a media drive so it cannot be scored officially.
MDX: 51.5 dB @ 55 MPH | California
RX: 53.9 dB @ 55 MPH
And lastly, for fuel economy, the RX’s engine choice has a definite positive impact, beating the MDX by 3 MPG combined plus it’s only the RX that offers even more efficient hybrid and plug in hybrid versions.
Resale and Reliability
In our reviews and comparisons, we are also adding in reliability and resale information to give you a better picture of the overall value beyond just the original MSRP.
Beginning with reliability, we developed the Combined Reliability Index, which considers several studies from trustworthy sources, and combines them in a way that gives a more realistic picture. Lexus ranks 11 slots above the industry average for all brands in reliability, while Acura is also well above industry average reliability, 8 slots above average to be exact.
We also put Mason’s economics degree to work to develop a detailed Predicted Resale Value tool. After 5 years and 60,000 miles, both brands are high for luxury brands. Lexus retains a predicted 53.8% of its value and Acura comes in at 49.9% after 5 years.
Resale is obviously important because it determines how much money you get back, but we can’t forget about the price difference at the original purchase. The Acura MDX costs $1,665 more than the Lexus RX.
I want to emphasize that if money, reliability or resale value matter less to you personally, feel free to disregard these points. And if you’d like to check out all our data about reliability and resale values, as well as learn about our methodology, make sure to head to www.carconfections.com/resale and www.carconfections.com/reliability. Buying a car is a big decision, and this is a great place to compare all the makes you might be cross-shopping.
2025 Acura MDX vs. 2024 Lexus RX winner!
Wow so that was a close one! These two fought hard and which one you choose really is going to come down a lot to personal preference. Now let’s discuss who should be “your” personal winner based on those preferences…
RX 350:
- Best reliability and resale value
- More rear seat amenities
- More powertrain options and better fuel economy
MDX:
- Massaging seats
- Third row
- Refined V6 engine experience
Now we want to know your opinions, so make sure to head to the comment section and let us know which one you would pick!
Thanks for joining us for another Car Confections Comparison! We’ll catch you next time as we sample the latest automotive delicacies!
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