Compare the2022 Acura RDXVS 2021 Lexus NX Series

The Acura RDX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The NX Series doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Compared to metal, the RDX’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Lexus NX Series has a metal gas tank.

Both the RDX and the NX Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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.

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 NX Series:

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 NX Series:

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

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 78 more horsepower (272 vs. 194) and 81 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 199) than the NX 300h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 37 more horsepower (272 vs. 235) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 258) than the NX 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

Both the RDX and the NX Series 300h have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights 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.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura RDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The NX 300 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The RDX has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX Series Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (17.1 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The RDX has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX Series’ standard fuel tank (17.1 vs. 15.9 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 NX Series 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 a six-speed automatic is available for the NX Series.

The RDX stops much shorter than the NX Series:

For better traction, the RDX has larger standard tires than the NX Series (235/55R19 vs. 225/65R17). The RDX A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the NX Series (255/40R20 vs. 235/55R18).

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 Series’ standard 65 series tires. The RDX A-Spec’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the NX Series F Sport’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the NX Series. The RDX A-Spec’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the NX Series.

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 Series doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RDX’s wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer than on the NX Series (108.3 inches vs. 104.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RDX is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 2.7 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the NX Series.

The RDX A-Spec AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the NX 300 F Sport AWD pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The RDX AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the NX 300h AWD (27.2 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the RDX has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the NX 300h (8.2 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the RDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The RDX’s minimum ground clearance is 1.3 inches higher than on the NX 300 (8.2 vs. 6.9 inches).

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 Series doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RDX has 32.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the NX Series (104 vs. 71.6).

The RDX has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX Series.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the NX Series with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 17.7 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX Series with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 54.6 cubic feet).

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

The RDX has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The NX Series doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

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 Series.

The RDX Advance has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The NX Series doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 NX Series’ power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Series’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The RDX has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the NX Series. 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 NX Series.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura RDX offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The NX Series doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the RDX is less expensive to operate than the NX Series because it costs $527 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the RDX than the NX Series, including $115 less for a water pump, $322 less for a muffler, $34 less for a starter, $330 less for fuel injection and $1001 less for a timing belt/chain.

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