Compare the2022 Acura MDXVS 2021 Lexus RXL

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the MDX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The RXL doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the MDX 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 and rear 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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

The engine in the MDX has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the RXL have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

The MDX has more powerful engines than the RXL:

On the EPA test cycle the MDX SH-AWD gets better fuel mileage than the RX 350L AWD (19 city/25 hwy vs. 18 city/25 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the MDX’s fuel efficiency. The RXL doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura MDX 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 MDX has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the RXL Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The MDX 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 MDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the RXL.

For better stopping power the MDX’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the RXL:

For better traction, the MDX has larger tires than the RXL (255/55R19 vs. 235/65R18).

The MDX’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 MDX’s optional tires have a lower 50 series profile than the RXL’s optional 55 series tires.

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

The MDX 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the MDX’s wheelbase is 4 inches longer than on the RXL (113.8 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the MDX is 3.3 inches wider in the front and 3.7 inches wider in the rear than on the RXL.

The MDX 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 MDX has 22.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RXL (139.1 vs. 117).

The MDX has .2 inches more front legroom, 3.5 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, 7.6 inches more rear legroom, 2 inches more rear hip room, 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.4 inches more third row headroom, 5.6 inches more third row legroom and 9.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the RXL.

The MDX’s cargo area provides more volume than the RXL.

The MDX’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the RXL’s (3500 vs. 0 pounds).

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the RXL, the MDX offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura MDX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the RXL.