Lexus RX vs Acura MDX
Luxury midsize SUVs · head to head, 2010–2027
The Lexus RX and Acura MDX were both sold for 18 model years (2010–2027). Among the RX's own years, its best bet is 2022; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the MDX's own years, its best bet is 2023; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2024.
Lexus RX
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2022
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
Acura MDX
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2023
- Newest good buy 2024
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2025
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy RX year says nothing about whether it beats a MDX. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Lexus RX | Acura MDX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.2× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly power train and engine | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly air bags and structure | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2019 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly fuel system and brakes | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2014 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2013 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.2× usual | Side by side |
| 2012 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2011 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2010 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year with full data, at a glance
Newer years (up to 2027) have thinner price and equipment data for one or both models, so this table uses 2026. Use "Compare any year" above for the others.
| 2026 Lexus RX | 2026 Acura MDX | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | — | — |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo, 271–275 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 180–187 hp | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 355 hp 3.5L 6-cyl, 290 hp |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 24–36 mpg | 19–22 mpg |
| Seats | 5 | — |
| Third row | No | — |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | 4–5 of 5 stars | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 3 · 9 | 1 · 7 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| RX 350 first listed | RX 500H last listed | MDX first listed | MDX Technology last listed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | — | — |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (RX, MDX).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Lexus RX
21 manufacturer programs on file: 7 extended coverage, 14 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Dealer Package: 12/10/2019 Vehicle total has increased by approximately 6,260 vehicles. (2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Vehicles that did not have an active Safety Connect subscription on or after 10/1/2017 but are affected by this condition are included in this Customer Support Program (19LE05). (19LE05, 2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Technical instructions for limited service campaign klg customer support program 19le05 safety connect system ? (KLG 19LE05-TI-Up, 2011–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Technical instructions: technical instructions for limited service campaign klg customer support program 19le05 safety connect system ? (19LE05-KLG, 2011–2017 models)
Acura MDX
17 manufacturer programs on file: 17 extended coverage, 0 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Warranty Extension - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. (ONL6T603102023-3, 2016–2020 models)
- Extended coverage Warranty Extension - Warranty Extension reimbursement form for engine idle stop repairs made before the warranty extension notice date. (ONL6T603102023, 2017–2020 models)
- Extended coverage Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. Acura is extending the warranty coverage for valve… (B23-002, 2017–2020 models)
- Extended coverage Due to high demand for repairs under this warranty extension, pistons and rings required to complete this repair are currently backordered. (B19-052, 2010–2013 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2010–2020, 2022–2024. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Years to skip: neither model has a year we rate avoid.
- Newest year rated a good buy: RX 2025; MDX 2024.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: RX at 36 mpg (MDX: 22), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.