Compare the2026 Acura RDXVS 2026 Lexus RX

The Acura RDX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The RX doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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

Both the RDX and the RX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura RDX is safer than the Lexus RX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Acura RDX is safer than the Lexus RX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 12 percent more Acura dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the RDX’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RDX first among compact premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The RX was rated second in its category.

The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 26 more horsepower (272 vs. 246) and 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 233) than the RX 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Acura RDX is faster than the Lexus RX:

Both the RDX and the RX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All RDXs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The RX 350h/500h doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura RDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The RX 350 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The RDX has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 450+’s standard fuel tank (17.1 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The RDX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The RX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura RDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the RX.

The RDX stops much shorter than the RX:

For better traction, the RDX A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (255/45R20 vs. 235/60R19).

The RDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RX’s standard 60 series tires. The RDX A-Spec’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the RX’s optional 50 series tires.

The RDX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The RX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The RDX A-Spec handles at .83 G’s, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The RDX A-Spec executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the RX 350h (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the RDX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RX 350 (8.2 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the RDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The RDX is 5.1 inches shorter than the RX, making the RDX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

The RDX has .1 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear legroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the RX.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 29.6 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 46.2 cubic feet).

The RDX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (1500 vs. 0 pounds).

Consumer Reports rated the RDX’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the RX’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Acura RDX has won recognition from these important consumer publications: