asookazian

Hi, I own a 2006 Acura RL (love it).

My wife needs a new/used SUV. We're looking at Lexus and Acura. Looks like Lexus has better MPG. She complains that the MDX is too big but it's about a foot longer and a little wider.

What's the better deal now in SoCal for a SUV? Acura is offering no money down but they jack up the monthly payments to recoup. We'd like a navigation package as well. thx.

InWI

I believe the RX does get better mileage. We just picked up a '11 MDX we felt the RX was not quite big enough. The MDX with the SH-AWD is a great SUV

NJ06RL

We studied the MDX vs RX350 in some detail in the last year. Went with a 2010 MDX Tech/Ent cos of the SH AWD and more space than the RX350. We are paying the price in worse fuel efficiency but I'm still happier with the MDX I think. The RX would have worked for us at about $5000-6000 lower than the MDX but no Lexus dealership I know of would have done it at that level.

ntwillie1

You guys also have to keep in mind that the MDX is not only a larger vehicle but it also has a larger engine. 300hp MDX vs 275hp on the RX so that'll cost you a little on the fuel efficiency. That said I have been in an RX and I prefer the Navigation unit in an MDX. Between the two, I say MDX. I also think the MDX performs like a champ.

Litt

The MDX is bigger, seats 7, has sports seats, and has SH-AWD.

The Lexus is a 5 seater, and no lateral seat support, has a mouse that you have to use to control all the technology, and has a AWD system that is just adequate. The RX is more comparable to a RDX than an MDX anyways.

tnobori1

We had the same issue last year but decided to go the MDX route. To account for the MPG, we went with the 1G body style. Sure, we don't have SHAWD, but the car still handles quite well and is very safe for my family. Either 1 or 2G, I still vote for the MDX.

Newplay1

If your going used I would get MDX because the body-styling is much more appealing vs last Generation Lexus RX350.

EL_PIC

The RDX might be better choice for women and green supporters {400H that is}.
I made a long list of about 10 SUV's and the short list consisted of only the MDX.
Handling Performance Safey is most important to me.
I got a 2011 MDX Advance but I am not a woman or green.

tnobori1

For what it's worth, our MDX is my wife's car. We drove the 2G MDXs, 1G MDXs, RDXs, and comparable RXs. With a growing family and a 100 mile round-trip commute each day, we decided on the 1G MDX. She loved the 2G's handling and interior styling, and loved the timeless exterior design of the 1G. She was not a fan of the RDX at all, and the RX lost out because of the lack of a third row and worse MPG/less power than the 1G MDX.

vas25tl

I hope you asked this on a Lexus forum as well.....there could be some biased answers here

tnobori1

^ impossible! Lol

06cmv6

my wife and i had a leased 2010 RX350 for 6 months that we traded in before buying our 08 acura tl-s....that being said it was a very nice vehicle but the WOW factor wasn't there for me......honestly if we would have went with the MDX( what i wanted but the wife didn't care for at the time) I don't feel like we would have the type S now....the MDX is stunning and i would choose that over the RX any day of the week

Boraxo

We had the same decision in 2008. They are both good vehicles with excellent reliability records. We went with Acura because it was about $10k cheaper than the Lexus after subtracting the incentives. Also the 3rd row is nice to have. But if the price was the same, I would go with the Lexus hybrid as gas prices are only going one direction over the long term.

If you are just planning to lease or to dump it in 3-4 years, then I'd just go with the cheaper option, you can't go wrong with either one. That being said, I love my MDX, almost as much as my BMW sedan

E92Vancouver

The Lexus is an egg and that design is long on the tooth. That design has been out for 13 years!!!! I wouldn't touch it.

mrwilson99

MDX because the slick and stylish body curves. Also...brakes comes standard on many of them Acura cars

DoctorTuna

I agree this is a very biased argument but I think that you are getting much more vehicle for the money with the MDX, more power, better AWD, and a third row. It will depend if mileage is the more important factor. Looks like you're gonna have to some long and drawn out gas savings calculations and compare the gas savings over the life of ownership to what you will save in the purchase price of the MDX vs. the RX. In my experience with comparing the 2 brands price for price, the Lexus product will cost more, hell, I got my 2005 RL for less than an IS350!! Personally, I would just go with the one you like the best!!

oldsnail

i was in this situations.. went with mdx because the lexus makes me feel old

larso1

I do like our '08 MDX very much, including the styling inside and out, the handling, and the 3rd row seat. That said, if you look at the acceleration times between the Lexus RX350 model and the MDX you will see that the RX is almost 1 second quicker 0-60mph. And that is with less HP, so there must also be a fair amount of weight difference between the two.

DoctorTuna

I'm not sure where you got your data but looking at Car and Driver Road Tests for both vehicles 2010 models, RX350 AWD 0-60 6.8secs 4471 lbs 18/24 MPG MDX 0-60 6.6secs 4662lbs 16/21 MPG. As I said, better AWD, more powerful engine and 3rd row, likely part of the additional weight. If the mileage is the most important factor to the driver then you have to look at difference in cost of vehicle vs. extra cost of gas, you're gonna get a similarly equipped MDX for less than the RX in most cases, then it'll depend on your mileage. Otherwise cutting hairs I think, I still stand behind getting the vehicle you like the best, they're both nice vehicles, however I am partial to the MDX, I did buy one!!

Rexorg

Apples and oranges. Both are fine vehicles, but IMHO the Lexus is more expensive with comparable features. Of course, the Lexus has more cachet, or so it seems, for those you care about those things.

larso1

I got it here....6.4sec. vs 7.1 for the 2010 RX350 vs 2010 MDX. Guess it depends on what source you believe. Lots of variables.
http://www.zeroto60times.com/Acura-0-60-mph-Times.html

lucasb7

I would say that unless you care about a rewarding driving experience in the twisties or the additional space behind the 2nd row I would go for the RX350. The RX has safe, capable handling but isn't as "encouraging" or "rewarding." In my experience even my 2005 RX330 with 70,000 miles is more refined and has proven more reliable than my 2009 MDX with ~25,000 miles.

The only reason I purchased my MDX over an RX450h was because it had quite a bit more cargo space in the rear. Sadly, I've been disappointed by some minor electrical errors and other things that my dealer couldn't fix after several attempts.

I've also had some disappointing experiences with the MDX in the snow. My MDX has Michelin Latitude's and my RX has Bridgestone Dueler HL Alenza's. There have been two accounts where I've had my RX and MDX at my ski house where my RX could get up my semi-steep driveway with ~6 inches of snow on it but my MDX couldn't. I plan on switching to a summer/snow tire rotation when these are worn out but I'm pretty disappointed given the superiority of SH-AWD--I didn't have to do the snow tire route on the RX.