Compare the2023 Acura RDXVS 2022 Lexus RXL

Both the RDX and the RXL have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura RDX is safer than the Lexus RXL:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Acura RDX is safer than the Lexus RXL:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the RDX is 1.7% less likely to roll over than the RXL.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RDX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The RXL last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the RDX for 1 year and 14,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the RXL (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 17 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 263) than the RX 350L’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Acura RDX is faster than the RX 350L 3.5 DOHC V6:

On the EPA test cycle the RDX gets better mileage than the RXL:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura RDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The RX 450hL 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 RXL 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 RXL.

The RDX stops much shorter than the RXL:

For better traction, the RDX A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RXL (255/45R20 vs. 235/65R18).

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 RXL’s standard 65 series tires. The RDX A-Spec’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the RXL’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the RXL.

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 RXL doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The RDX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The RXL’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The RDX AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the RX 350L AWD pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The RDX AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the RX 350L (27.2 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the RDX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RXL (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 700 to 850 pounds less than the Lexus RXL.

The RDX is 9.5 inches shorter than the RXL, 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 RXL doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RDX has .2 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room and 7.5 inches more rear legroom than the RXL.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RXL with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 7.5 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RXL with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 58.5 cubic feet).

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

The RDX’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The RXL’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The RDX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the RXL’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

Insurance will cost less for the RDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the RDX will cost $2090 to $4460 less than the RXL over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the RDX is less expensive to operate than the RXL because typical repairs cost much less on the RDX than the RXL, including $737 less for a water pump, $181 less for a muffler, $199 less for a starter, $50 less for fuel injection, $1704 less for a timing belt/chain and $927 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Acura RDX will be $2320 to $5228 less than for the Lexus RXL.

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

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2019 issue and they ranked the Acura RDX AWD higher than the Lexus RX 350L AWD.