2026 Acura RDX vs 2026 Lexus RX

$45,100 · Crossover

$49,725 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Picking between the 2026 Acura RDX and the 2026 Lexus RX often comes down to prioritizing budget versus slightly more refined efficiency. The Acura RDX starts at $45,100, saving you $4,625 right off the bat compared to the $49,725 Lexus RX. While both offer similar power—the RDX has 272 hp and 280 lb-ft, versus the RX’s 275 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque—the Lexus pulls ahead in fuel economy, achieving 25 combined MPG versus the RDX’s 23 combined MPG. The RDX gives you standard All-Wheel Drive capability, while the base RX is Front Wheel Drive. Cargo space is virtually identical, with the RX holding 29.6 cu ft and the RDX offering 29.5 cu ft. If saving money upfront is key, the RDX is very competitive, but the RX rewards highway drivers with better mileage.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Lexus RX

The Lexus RX offers better fuel economy at 25 combined MPG, making long daily drives slightly less frequent at the pump.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Acura RDX

The Acura RDX wins purely on initial outlay, saving $4,625 upfront while providing comparable dimensions for family hauling.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Lexus RX

The Lexus RX provides significantly more low-end punch with 317 lb-ft of torque, despite having two fewer gears in its transmission.

💰 Best Value

2026 Acura RDX

Coming in $4,625 cheaper and featuring standard AWD where the RX is FWD, the RDX delivers strong utility for less cash.

Choose the Acura RDX if...

You need standard All-Wheel Drive capability for inclement weather.
Sticking to a budget under $46,000 is a primary concern.
You prefer a slightly smaller footprint at 187.4 inches long for easier city parking.

Choose the Lexus RX if...

Maximizing fuel efficiency, even slightly, is important (25 combined MPG vs 23).
You prefer a more substantial vehicle, as the RX is 192.5 inches long.
You want the highest torque figure available (317 lb-ft) in this comparison.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Acura RDX	Lexus RX
Length	187.4"	192.5"
Width	74.8"	75.6"
Height	65.7"	67.3"
Wheelbase	108.3"	112.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Acura	Lexus
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Acura	Lexus
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	272 hp @ 6500 rpm	275 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	280 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm	317 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Acura	Lexus
Transmission Type	10-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
[object Object]	✓	—
[object Object]	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Acura	Lexus
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	21/27 MPG	22/29 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	23 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	359.1/461.7 mi.	391.6/516.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.1 gal.	17.8 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Acura	Lexus
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	—
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Acura	Lexus
Infotainment Display	10.2 in	9.8 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	9	12
Subwoofer Count	1	1
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—

Power Feature

Feature	Acura	Lexus
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	—
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Acura	Lexus
Front Head Room	40.0 in.	39.5 in.
Front Leg Room	42.0 in.	41.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	60.0 in.	58.1 in.
Front Hip Room	55.0 in.	56.7 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Acura	Lexus
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	38.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.0 in.	37.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	57.0 in.	56.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	50.0 in.	55.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Acura	Lexus
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	19 x 8.0 in	19 x 8.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/55R19	✓
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Painted Alloy Wheels	—	✓
Polished Alloy Wheels	—	✓

Suspension

Feature	Acura	Lexus
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Acura	Lexus
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	6 yr./ 70000 mi.	6 yr./ 70000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	6 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ 12000 mi.	1 yr./ 10000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Acura RDX and 2026 Lexus RX.

How does the standard drivetrain setup differ between these two crossovers?

The 2026 Acura RDX comes standard with an All-Wheel Drive system. Conversely, the 2026 Lexus RX specified here utilizes a Front Wheel Drive configuration.

Is the extra cost of the Lexus RX justified by better performance metrics?

Not strictly based on horsepower; the RX has 275 hp compared to the RDX’s 272 hp. However, the RX offers substantially more torque at 317 lb-ft, which aids in acceleration off the line.

Which vehicle requires premium fuel?

Both the 2026 Acura RDX and the 2026 Lexus RX list premium unleaded gasoline as the recommended fuel type for optimal performance.

Does the larger Lexus RX offer significantly more storage space?

The cargo capacities are nearly identical; the Lexus RX offers 29.6 cu ft, while the Acura RDX provides 29.5 cu ft, making them equally practical for gear storage.

What is the main financial consideration when choosing between them?

The price gap is substantial; the 2026 Acura RDX has an MSRP of $45,100, which is $4,625 less than the starting price of the 2026 Lexus RX.

How do their automatic transmissions compare?

The RDX utilizes a 10-speed shiftable automatic transmission, suggesting potentially smoother or more varied gear ratios for efficiency and power delivery. The RX uses an 8-speed shiftable automatic.