Compare the2022 Acura RDXVS 2022 Lexus UX

The RDX Advance has a standard Surround-View Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The UX only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the RDX and the UX 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 and available all wheel drive.

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 UX:

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 UX:

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

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 Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 76 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The UX is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2021.

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 103 more horsepower (272 vs. 169) and 129 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 151) than the UX 200’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 91 more horsepower (272 vs. 181) and 280 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. ) than the UX 250h’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

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

Both the RDX and UX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. The RDX has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The RDX has 6.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (17.1 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The RDX has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX’s standard fuel tank (17.1 vs. 12.4 gallons).

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 UX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the RDX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the UX:

The RDX stops much shorter than the UX:

For better traction, the RDX has larger standard tires than the UX (235/55R19 vs. 225/50R18). The RDX A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the UX (255/40R20 vs. 225/50R18).

The RDX A-Spec’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the UX’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 18-inch wheels are available on the UX. The RDX A-Spec has standard 20-inch wheels.

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 UX 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 UX; 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.

The RDX offers an optional 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 UX’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RDX’s wheelbase is 4.4 inches longer than on the UX (108.3 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RDX is 3.2 inches wider in the front and 3.7 inches wider in the rear than on the UX.

The RDX A-Spec AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the UX 200 Luxury pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The RDX AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the UX 200 (27.2 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the RDX has an electronically controlled liquid-filled main engine mount. A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The UX uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

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

The RDX has 13.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the UX (104 vs. 90.4).

The RDX has 2.4 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, 4.7 inches more front shoulder room, 2 inches more rear headroom, 5.3 inches more rear legroom and 3.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the UX (31.1 vs. 17.1 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the RDX’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The UX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The RDX has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The UX has no towing capacity.

The RDX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The UX uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

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 UX.

The power windows standard on both the RDX and the UX 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 UX 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 UX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The RDX has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the UX. The RDX Advance also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the UX.

Insurance will cost less for the RDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the RDX will cost $750 to $2165 less than the UX over a five-year period.

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

The Acura RDX outsold the Lexus UX by over three to one during the 2021 model year.