Compare the2023 Acura MDXVS 2023 Lexus GX

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The MDX offers an optional Low-Speed Braking Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The GX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the MDX uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The GX uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the MDX and the GX 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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 MDX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GX has not been tested, yet.

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the MDX for 1 year and 14,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the GX (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 MDX’s warranty.

The MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 54 more horsepower (355 vs. 301) and 25 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8.

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

On the EPA test cycle the MDX gets better mileage than the GX:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the MDX’s fuel efficiency. The GX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the MDX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The GX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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

The MDX 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 GX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Acura MDX higher (5 out of 10) than the Lexus GX (3). This means the MDX produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GX every 15,000 miles.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura MDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GX.

For better stopping power the MDX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GX:

The MDX stops much shorter than the GX:

For better traction, the MDX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX (275/40R21 vs. 265/60R18).

The MDX’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 GX’s standard 60 series tires. The MDX Type S’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the GX’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the MDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GX. The MDX Type S’ 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the GX.

The MDX 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 GX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the MDX can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The GX doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

For superior ride and handling, the Acura MDX has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Lexus GX has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the MDX’s wheelbase is 4 inches longer than on the GX (113.8 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the MDX is 5.3 inches wider in the front and 5.3 inches wider in the rear than on the GX.

The MDX Type S handles at .87 G’s, while the GX pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The MDX SH-AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the GX (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the MDX’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the GX’s (40.5 feet vs. 41.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the MDX Type S has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the GX (9.4 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the MDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Acura MDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 850 pounds less than the Lexus GX.

Unibody construction lowers the MDX’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The GX uses body-on-frame design instead.

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

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the MDX Type S is quieter than the GX (36 vs. 43 dB).

The MDX has 9.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GX (139.1 vs. 129.7).

The MDX has .5 inches more front headroom, 2.8 inches more front hip room, 6.5 inches more front shoulder room, 4.4 inches more rear legroom, 2.6 inches more rear hip room, 3 inches more rear shoulder room, 1 inch more third row headroom and .7 inches more third row shoulder room than the GX.

The MDX’s cargo area provides more volume than the GX.

The MDX’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The GX’s swing out door blocks loading from the passenger’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the MDX has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the MDX Advance, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The GX doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the GX, the MDX offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

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

The MDX’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The GX’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The MDX’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 GX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The MDX’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The GX’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The MDX Type S Advance has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the GX.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura MDX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The GX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The MDX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GX doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Acura MDX will be $6981 to $10200 less than for the Lexus GX.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Acura MDX and the Lexus GX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Acura MDX outsold the Lexus GX by 55% during 2022.