Compare the2023 Lexus RXVS 2022 Acura RDX

Both the RX and the RDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 RX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the RDX’s (6 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 35 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Acura is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Acura is ranked 28th.

The RX 350’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 3 more horsepower (275 vs. 272) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 280) than the RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The RX 500h F Sport Performance’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 94 more horsepower (366 vs. 272) and 126 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 280) than the RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

The RX 350h has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The RDX doesn’t offer a CVT.

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

The RX’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the RDX are solid, not vented.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RX offers optional 21-inch wheels. The RDX’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RX’s wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the RDX (112.2 inches vs. 108.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RX is 1 inch wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than on the RDX.

For better maneuverability, the RX 500h F Sport Performance’s turning circle is 3.5 feet tighter than the RDX’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.9 feet). The RX’s turning circle is .1 feet tighter than the RDX’s (38.8 feet vs. 38.9 feet).

The RX has 1.7 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more rear headroom and 6 inches more rear hip room than the RDX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the RX’s rear seats recline. The RDX’s rear seats don’t recline.

Maximum trailer towing in the Acura RDX is limited to 1500 pounds. The RX offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Acura. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 26% lower rating, Acura is ranked 6th.

The RX’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The RDX’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RX Premium+/Luxury/500h F Sport offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The RDX doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the RX Premium+/Luxury/500h F Sport offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The RDX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The RX Premium/Luxury/F Sport has standard front air conditioned seats and the RX Premium+/Luxury/500h F Sport offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The RDX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The RX 350h/500h offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The RDX doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The RX Premium/Luxury/500h F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The RDX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Lexus RX outsold the Acura RDX by over two to one during the 2021 model year.