Compare the2024 Lexus TXVS 2024 Acura MDX

The TX 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the TX AWD’s standard Downhill Assist allows you to creep down safely. The MDX doesn’t offer Downhill Assist.

Both the TX and MDX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the TX Premium/Luxury has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The MDX’s Rear Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the TX and the MDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The TX’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 TX’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.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 36 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 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Acura is ranked fourth.

The TX has more powerful engines than the MDX:

As tested in Motor Trend the TX 500h 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the MDX Type S 3.0 turbo V6:

On the EPA test cycle the TX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the MDX:

The TX 550h+ CVT can travel with zero emissions for 33 miles. The MDX can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the TX 500h/550h+’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The MDX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus TX higher (7 out of 10) than the Acura MDX (5). This means the TX produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the MDX every 15,000 miles.

The TX 550h+ 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 MDX doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the TX 500h/550h+’s brake rotors are larger than those on the MDX:

The TX’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 TX stops much shorter than the MDX:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TX has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the MDX. The TX’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels on the MDX Type S.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the TX’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the MDX (116.1 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

The TX’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.1% to 46.9%) than the MDX’s (57.4% to 42.6%). This gives the TX more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the TX’s turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the MDX’s (38 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the TX 550h+ Luxury 4dr Sport Utility has a greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (7.7 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the TX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The TX has 13.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the MDX (153 vs. 139.1).

The TX has 2.9 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more rear headroom, 1 inch more rear legroom, 1 inch more third row headroom, 4.4 inches more third row legroom, 5.1 inches more third row hip room and 2.2 inches more third row shoulder room than the MDX.

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

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

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

The TX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the MDX’s (5000 vs. 3500 pounds).

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 TX’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 TX and the MDX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the TX 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 TX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Access System standard on the MDX doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The TX’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 TX Luxury/F Sport has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The MDX doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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

The TX’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.

The TX Premium/Luxury has standard front air conditioned seats and the TX offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The MDX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The TX Premium/Luxury/F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The MDX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.