Compare the2023 Lexus LXVS 2023 Acura MDX

The LX has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The MDX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the LX. But it costs extra on the MDX.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the LX’s standard CRAWL Control allows you to creep down safely. The MDX doesn’t offer CRAWL Control.

Both the LX and the MDX 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, 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 and driver alert monitors.

The Lexus LX weighs 867 to 1694 pounds more than the Acura MDX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The LX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the MDX’s (6 vs. 5 years).

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the LX’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the MDX’s camshafts. If the MDX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The MDX’s redline is at 6800 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The LX has a 5800 RPM redline.

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 LX’s 3.4 turbo V6 produces 119 more horsepower (409 vs. 290) and 212 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 267) than the MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6. The LX’s 3.4 turbo V6 produces 54 more horsepower (409 vs. 355) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 354) than the MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Lexus LX is faster than the Acura MDX V6:

On the EPA test cycle the LX 600 gets better fuel mileage than the MDX Type S 3.0 turbo V6 (17 city/22 hwy vs. 17 city/21 hwy).

The LX has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the MDX (21.1 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

The LX stops shorter than the MDX:

For better traction, the LX has larger tires than the MDX (265/55R20 vs. 255/55R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the LX offers optional 22-inch wheels. The MDX’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Lexus LX’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Acura MDX only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The LX has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the MDX; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The LX’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.5% to 47.5%) than the MDX’s (57.4% to 42.6%). This gives the LX more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the LX’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the MDX’s (39.4 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the LX Base/Premium has a greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (7.9 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the LX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the LX 600 F Sport is quieter than the MDX Type S (73 vs. 76 dB).

The LX offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the MDX can only carry 7.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the LX’s middle and third row seats recline. The MDX’s third row seats don’t recline.

The LX has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The MDX doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the LX Luxury’s second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The MDX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The LX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the MDX’s (8000 vs. 3500 pounds).

The engine in the LX is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the MDX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

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 LX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The MDX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the LX and the MDX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the LX is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The MDX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The LX’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 MDX’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 LX has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The MDX doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the LX has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The MDX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The LX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The MDX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Optional air conditioned front and second row seats keep the LX’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The MDX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The LX has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the MDX.

Both the LX and the MDX offer available massaging front seats. The LX Ultra Luxury also has standard massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the MDX.