MDX vs Lexus RX pre owned -which one to buy ?
 

Hi,

Need some guidance from experts on the forum.

Trying to convince my wife to get a used MDX under 40k miles. I have driven 2 pre owned RLs and currently drive a TLX so a fan of Acura. She had Toyota Camry before and currently has a Audi Q7 with 100k plus miles. We are seeing more trips to repair shop so want to get rid of it. Otherwise she liked it and would like to get another Q7. I have convinced her to look at other options to due reliability issues. She puts about 12K miles per year. She wants to explore other brands such as Lexus. I know very little about it. I know MDX is generally a solid vehicle but not sure if particular year was better or worse for a pre owned option. If we get MDX, it will be a 2015-2018. Any red flags in those years ? Lexus apparently has more trim options in RX. We don't absolutely need the 3rd row seat but it would be nice to use it once in a while. It would be nice to own a car for the long haul and not have car payments for ever thats why not interesting in leasing. If we get 10 years plus out of it, it will be great!

Appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.

thanks

JD

The year on MDX you want to avoid is 2014 and 2016, I have a 2015 MDX, and experiencing "jerky" shifting, for sure, you won't find it smooth compare to Lexus or Toyota brand, also, if your main concern is reliability, please go with RX350, if i don;t need 7 seats, I would go with RX as well.
Also, the maintenance on MDX is not cheap, the costs of tranny fluid change on 9 speed is triple costs on a 6 speed, and if you want to tranny "smoother", you need to keep fluid fresh.
Reliable + Low maintenance = Lexus

Does your wife like the styling and handling of the TLX? The MDX would be closer to that compared to the Lexus. Seems like a lot of the early complaints and TSB have been (mostly) worked out with the +18 MDX (plus Apple CarPlay). The MDX leans more towards sport, handling, and safety than comfort, luxury, or utility. If she is looking for space, comfort, and utility; then, a Pilot might be closer to Lexus ride, Q7 utility, and +100,000 mile reliability.

If your wife is coming from a Audi Q7 she will appreciate the Lexus interior but enjoy the drive of the MDX. I would steer her towards a MDX, the Lexus RX even in Fsport trim is dreadfully boring to drive.

I test drove both vehicles, and found the Lexus to be OK, while the Acura felt more solid. Maybe it was the doors, not sure. We have a 2015 Advance with the RES. Love that vehicle.

Drive both... It's the only way to know for sure....



I know it's really small, but maybe an NX200t may be the perfect compromise!

Lexus = Wallows
Acura= Sporty

I am literally cross shopping these two vehicles as my family is growing :)

Lexus RX is more premium and has a more luxurious cabine.
Acura MDX is much more sportier and spacious.

Now, cost, reliability and resale value:
Lexus: cheaper gas, extremely reliable and great resale value.
Acura: premium gas, still very reliable and good resale value.

Since I like driving and I will opt in for MDX after driving 30 min each car.

Outside of warranty Lexus will be very costly for repairs, parts and routine maintenance compared to the MDX as well. As everyone has already stated the RX is pretty small on the inside compared to the MDX, so if flexibility and space is important the Acura is better (although then you should consider the QX60 or even non-luxury brands as there are other 3 row SUV's with much more room than the MDX). Although if you want Android Auto this rules out Infiniti and Lexus.

OP, can’t go too far wrong with either. Let the wife choose. My wife had an RX350 before her ‘15 MDX. The RX was a car we purchased to keep for the long haul but by nine years old and 102k mikes we dumped it as the trans went and the engine sprung an oil leak. The repairs exceeded the value of the car. At that point we had already had a few other sizeable repairs in the prior couple years and we just felt it wasn’t the one to take to 200k miles. Frustrating because even our service advisor said he had customers with well over 300k on their RX, recognizing our experience was not the norm.

Those powertrain issues steered us away from anything with the Toyota 3.5L when shopping to replace it. We ended up on the ‘15 MDX...it’s had it’s share of teething in the first two years with lots of software updates solving those. Seems to be solid now. However, the wife still misses and preferred the RX. Of the two, I prefer the MDX for the comparatively engaging driving experience.