Compare the2025 Lexus RZVS 2024 Acura ZDX

With its standard Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, the Lexus RZ is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Acura ZDX, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

The RZ 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 ZDX 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.

The RZ’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The ZDX doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the RZ and the ZDX 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 available around view monitors.

The Lexus RZ achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The ZDX is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RZ 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Acura covers the ZDX. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the ZDX ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 81 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 20th.

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.

As tested in Motor Trend the RZ 450e electric motors is faster than the ZDX A-Spec AWD electric motors:

On the EPA test cycle the RZ gets better mileage than the ZDX:

The RZ has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The ZDX doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

For better stopping power the RZ’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the ZDX:

The RZ stops much shorter than the ZDX:

The RZ 450e Luxury handles at .86 G’s, while the ZDX A-Spec 4x4 pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The RZ 450e Luxury executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the ZDX A-Spec 4x4 (25.9 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the RZ’s turning circle is 2.8 feet tighter than the ZDX’s (36.8 feet vs. 39.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the RZ has a greater minimum ground clearance than the ZDX (7.9 vs. 7 inches), allowing the RZ to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Lexus RZ may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1150 to 1450 pounds less than the Acura ZDX.

The RZ is 8.5 inches shorter than the ZDX, making the RZ easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the RZ uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The ZDX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

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

The RZ has .8 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom and 1.7 inches more rear headroom than the ZDX.

The RZ has a much larger cargo volume than the ZDX with its rear seat up (34.1 vs. 29.7 cubic feet).

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 27% lower rating, Acura is ranked 9th.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RZ offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The ZDX doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The RZ’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 ZDX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The RZ’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Advanced Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The ZDX Type S’ automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus RZ, based on reliability, safety and performance.