Compare the2023 Acura RDXVS 2023 Lexus NX

Both the RDX and the NX 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, plastic fuel tanks, 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.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Acura RDX is safer than the NX:

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the RDX for 1 year and 14,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the NX (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 69 more horsepower (272 vs. 203) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 184) than the NX 250’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 32 more horsepower (272 vs. 240) than the NX 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Acura RDX is faster than the Lexus NX:

Both the RDX and the NX 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 NX 350h/450h+ 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 NX 350 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The RDX has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX (17.1 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 NX 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 NX.

The RDX stops much shorter than the NX:

For better traction, the RDX A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the NX (255/45R20 vs. 235/60R18).

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 NX’s standard 60 series tires. The RDX A-Spec’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the NX’s optional 50 series tires.

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

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 NX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The RDX AWD has a standard space-saver spare (not available on FWD/A-Spec) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the NX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RDX’s wheelbase is 2.4 inches longer than on the NX (108.3 inches vs. 105.9 inches).

The RDX A-Spec AWD handles at .83 G’s, while the NX 350 AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The RDX AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the NX 450h AWD (27.2 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the RDX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the NX (8.2 vs. 7.7 inches), allowing the RDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

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

The RDX has 1.3 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, 3.4 inches more front shoulder room, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the NX with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 22.7 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

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

The RDX’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the NX.

The power windows standard on both the RDX and the NX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the RDX is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The NX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The RDX’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The NX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Consumer Reports rated the RDX’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the NX’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

Insurance will cost less for the RDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the RDX will cost $790 to $2605 less than the NX over a five-year period.

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