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Acura RDX vs Lexus RX

2026 Acura RDX vs 2026 Lexus RX — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Acura RDX

2026 Acura RDX

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WD
VS3 – 3Tie: 3 categories each
Lexus RX

2026 Lexus RX

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Lexus RX is more fuel-efficient: 36 vs 23 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $1,250 a year less in fuel for the Lexus RX (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Lexus RX is the bigger car, about 5 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Acura RDX has had fewer recall campaigns (15 vs 26).

The two cars

The 2026 Acura RDX is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive. It measures about 188 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,090 lb (A-Spec 4dr SUV).

The 2026 Lexus RX is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. It measures about 193 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,288 lb (350 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2023 RDX and the 2022 RX have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2019 RDX and the 2017 RX.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Premium Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

23 MPG
Best combined MPG
36 MPG
21 city
City / highway MPG (best)
37 city
$3,550
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,300

Performance & space

272 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
275 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
187.8 in
Length
192.5 in
74.8 in
Width
75.6 in
65.7 in
Height
67.3 in
4,035 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,288 lb

Safety & reliability

12
Driver-assist features standard
12
0
Recalls (2026)
3
15
Recalls, all years since 2005
26
1
Owner complaints (latest year)
12

Interest

6,945
Wikipedia views, 30 days
22,684

Buying used

2023
Best used year
2022
2019
Year to avoid
2017

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Acura RDX if…

  • You want something easier to park (5 in shorter)
  • You put reliability history first (15 vs 26 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Lexus RX if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (36 vs 23 MPG)
  • You want more room (5 in longer)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Pros & cons of each

2026 Acura RDX

  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Modest powerUp to 272 hp, versus about 349 hp for similar 2026 models.

2026 Lexus RX

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 36 MPG combined — 39% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Modest powerUp to 275 hp, versus about 355 hp for similar 2026 models.

Full 2026 Acura RDX specs →Full 2026 Lexus RX specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →