Compare the2025 Lexus LXVS 2025 Acura MDX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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The LX 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the LX. But it costs extra on the MDX.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the LX’s standard CRAWL Control allows you to creep down safely. The MDX doesn’t offer CRAWL Control.

Both the LX and MDX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the LX 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 LX and the MDX 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 driver alert monitors.

The Lexus LX weighs 879 to 1677 pounds more than the Acura MDX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

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

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the LX’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.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the LX’s reliability 19 points higher than the MDX.

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’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Acura is ranked fifth.

Engine

The LX 600’s standard 3.4 turbo V6 produces 119 more horsepower (409 vs. 290) and 212 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 267) than the MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6. The LX 600’s 3.4 turbo V6 produces 54 more horsepower (409 vs. 355) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 354) than the MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6. The LX 700h’s standard 3.4 turbo V6 hybrid produces 102 more horsepower (457 vs. 355) and 229 lbs.-ft. more torque (583 vs. 354) than the MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the LX 600 3.4 turbo V6 is faster than the Acura MDX V6:

	LX	MDX
Zero to 60 MPH	5.9 sec	6.4 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	15.3 sec	17.6 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.3 sec	3.6 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.4 sec	5.2 sec
Quarter Mile	14.3 sec	15.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97 MPH	93 MPH
Top Speed	135 MPH	112 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
LX
	AWD	3.4 turbo V6 Hybrid	19 city/22 hwy
		3.4 turbo V6	17 city/22 hwy
MDX
	AWD	3.0 turbo V6	17 city/21 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the LX 700h’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The MDX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The LX 600’s standard fuel tank has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the MDX (21.1 vs. 18.5 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

The LX’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 LX stops shorter than the MDX:

	LX	MDX
70 to 0 MPH	180 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the LX has larger tires than the MDX (265/55R20 vs. 255/55R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the LX offers optional 22-inch wheels. The MDX’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Lexus LX’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Acura MDX only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The LX has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the MDX; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

Suspension and Handling

The LX’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.5% to 47.5%) than the MDX’s (57% to 43%). This gives the LX more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the LX’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the MDX’s (39.4 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the LX Premium has a greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (7.9 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the LX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the LX 600 F Sport Handling is quieter than the MDX Type S (73 vs. 76 dB).

Passenger Space

The LX offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the MDX can only carry 7.

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

Cargo Capacity

The LX has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The MDX doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

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

Payload and Towing

The LX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the MDX’s (8000 vs. 3500 pounds).

The LX has a higher standard payload capacity than the MDX (1285 vs. 1173 lbs.).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the LX is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the MDX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Acura. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 15% lower rating, Acura is ranked 6th.

Ergonomics

The LX’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 LX and the MDX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the LX 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 LX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, 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 LX’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 LX has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The MDX doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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

The Lexus LX has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the MDX.

The LX has standard front air conditioned seats and 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 LX has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the MDX Advance.

Both the LX and the MDX offer available massaging front seats. The LX Ultra Luxury also has standard massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the MDX.

The LX 700h’s 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.

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