Lexus NX vs Acura RDX
Luxury compact SUVs · head to head, 2015–2026
The Lexus NX and Acura RDX were both sold for 12 model years (2015–2026). Among the NX's own years, its best bet is 2021; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the RDX's own years, its best bet is 2024; years to avoid: 2019–2020; the newest year rated a good buy is 2024.
Lexus NX
SUV · 2015–2027
- Best bet 2021
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2019, 2024
Acura RDX
SUV · 2010–2026
- Best bet 2024
- Newest good buy 2024
- Avoid 2019–2020
- 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 NX year says nothing about whether it beats a RDX. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Lexus NX | Acura RDX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly steering and brakes | Side by side |
| 2024 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.0× usual, mostly structure and power train | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.2× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly power train and speed control | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.9× usual, mostly engine and structure | Side by side |
| 2019 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly fuel system and brakes | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.6× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× 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, at a glance
| 2026 Lexus NX | 2026 Acura RDX | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | — | — |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo, 275 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 181–189 hp | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 272 hp |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 24–40 mpg | 23 mpg |
| Seats | 5 | — |
| Third row | No | — |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | Not rated | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 0 · 5 | 0 · 1 |
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
| NX 350 Base first listed | NX 450h+ Luxury last listed | RDX A-Spec first listed | RDX Technology last listed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | 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 (NX, RDX).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Lexus NX
13 manufacturer programs on file: 5 extended coverage, 8 repair programs.
- Extended coverage On December 20, 2022, a settlement of claims for certain low pressure fuel pumps was approved by the federal court. The purpose of this Customer Support Program letter is to help clarify how to administer this coverage in accordance with… (23LE01, 2015, 2018–2019 models)
- Extended coverage Technical instructions for limited service campaign klg customer support program 19le05 safety connect system ? (KLG 19LE05-TI-Up, 2015–2017 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, 2015–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Technical instructions for customer support program 23le05 hv floor under wire harness and rear traction motor cable corrosion certain 2022 model year nx350 hybrid (23LE05, 2022, 2024 models)
Acura RDX
8 manufacturer programs on file: 8 extended coverage, 0 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Today, May 24, 2018, Acura is announcing a warranty extension for 2002-17 Acura vehicles. (BBOM05242018901, 2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only. (B18-020, 2010–2012, 2014 models)
- Extended coverage Owner Notification Letter - On some 2019 RDX models, a loose connection in the MOST bus network may cause the following: -A popping or crackling from the speakers, a blank display, or no sound from the audio system -Network Loss and/or… (ONLF9O04052021, 2019–2020 models)
- Extended coverage This notification replaces the previous letter you may have received. Please note that the warranty coverage for the MOST bus network on your vehicle is 6 years or 74,000 miles from the original date of purchase, whichever comes first. (ONLF9O04232021, 2019–2020 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: 2015–2018, 2021–2023. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2024: the RDX is rated best buy (serious complaints 0.2× usual), while the NX is rated careful (serious complaints 2.0× usual, mostly structure and power train). Each against its own other years.
- Shopping around 2020: the NX is rated good buy (serious complaints 0.9× usual), while the RDX is rated avoid (serious complaints 2.9× usual, mostly engine and structure). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: RDX 2019–2020.
- Newest year rated a good buy: NX 2025; RDX 2024.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: NX at 40 mpg (RDX: 23), 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.