Compare the2023 Acura RDXVS 2022 Lexus RX

Both the RDX and the RX 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, 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 RX:

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 RX:

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the RDX is 1.4% to 2.9% less likely to roll over than the RX.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RDX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The RX last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the RDX for 1 year and 14,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the RX (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 12 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 268) than the RX 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

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

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

Both the RDX and the RX 450h 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.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura RDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The RX 450h requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

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 RX 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 RX.

The RDX stops shorter than the RX:

For better traction, the RDX A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (255/45R20 vs. 235/65R18).

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 RX’s standard 65 series tires. The RDX A-Spec’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the RX’s optional 55 series tires.

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

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 RX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The RDX A-Spec AWD handles at .83 G’s, while the RX 350 F Sport AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Acura RDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 700 pounds less than the Lexus RX.

The RDX is 5.1 inches shorter than the RX, making the RDX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

The RDX has .2 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room and .4 inches more rear legroom than the RX.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 16 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 32.6 cubic feet).

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The RDX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the RX’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

Insurance will cost less for the RDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the RDX will cost $1775 to $3815 less than the RX over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the RDX is less expensive to operate than the RX because typical repairs cost much less on the RDX than the RX, including $737 less for a water pump, $181 less for a muffler, $199 less for a starter, $50 less for fuel injection, $1704 less for a timing belt/chain and $927 less for a power steering pump.

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