Compare the2023 Acura RDXVS 2023 Lexus RX

Both the RDX and the RX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RDX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 126 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The RX has not been fully tested, yet.

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the RDX for 1 year and 14,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the RX (2/24,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 11 percent more Acura dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the RDX’s warranty.

The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 26 more horsepower (272 vs. 246) and 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 233) than the RX 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Both the RDX and the RX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All RDXs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The RX 350h/500h doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura RDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The RX requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The RDX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The RX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura RDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the RX.

For better traction, the RDX A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (255/45R20 vs. 235/60R19).

The RDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RX’s standard 60 series tires. The RDX A-Spec’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the RX’s optional 50 series tires.

The RDX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The RX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For greater off-road capability the RDX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RX 350 (8.2 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the RDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Acura RDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 700 pounds less than the Lexus RX.

The RDX is 5.1 inches shorter than the RX, making the RDX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The RDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The RX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RDX has .1 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear legroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the RX.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 29.6 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 46.2 cubic feet).

The RDX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (1500 vs. 0 pounds).

The Acura RDX has won recognition from these important consumer publications: