2024 Acura MDX Type S vs. Lexus RX500h F Sport: Outright Performance?
With plenty of punch and lots of space, these two Japanese SUVs bring performance and versatility.
In the automotive world, having it all is like a cliché. Some vehicles sacrifice everything for comfort and luxury. Others put performance over a polished ride. These days, vehicles have been getting bigger and more spacious, and although high performance isn't necessarily a priority on SUVs, we're seeing more speedy variants.
Case in point, a decade ago no one thought we'd have a Type S SUV, yet the 2024 Acura MDX Type S is the first SUV from Acura to wear the coveted sports badge, bringing a dose of performance to a popular family vehicle. The 2023 Lexus RX500h F Sport is another example. The RX is known for its reliability and approachable character, and this high-output hybrid SUV takes a different approach to deliver that extra push.
At first glance, these players might not seem like the natural competitors. The MDX has three rows and a single twin-scroll turbo V-6 engine, while the RX is a midsize two-row hybrid SUV with a lot of power. But look closer, and you'll find similarities. The Acura makes 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque , while the Lexus delivers 366 hp and an eye-popping 406 lb-ft of torque thanks to its electric motors. Their pricing is also close. The MDX we tested reached $75,295, while the RX tagged for $71,080.
On paper they look quite similar, but how are they on the road?
Craving Asphalt
Traditionally, this pair has been tasked with driving families in a comfortable and safe way, but the Type S and F Sport badges add a healthy dose of oomph. These SUVs went through more development and testing, with their respective engineering teams investing more time in making them edgier and sporty. But neither of them felt insanely quick. Don't think of these two as ultimate sporty SUVs—they up performance, but they don't feel like they're in the same category as an Audi SQ7or BMW X5 M60i . The Acura and Lexus are stronger than their respective regular trims , and they are here for those drivers who want more punch.
That was our feeling when we were driving them on Malibu's canyon roads. They both felt stronger but not necessarily sportier than the Europeans, but that didn't stop us from having fun. Right away, the Lexus felt quicker off the line thanks to its torquey electric motors delivering the power in a refined and linear way. The Acura felt a little out of place; its V-6 engine had a harder time moving all 4,769 pounds, and its nose-heavy body wasn't as comfortable on the twisty roads as the RX was.
On the test track, the Lexus beat the Type S on both the 0-60-mph and quarter-mile tests, with the pair recording 5.9 and 6.2 seconds on the former. That's the kind of experience we got on Malibu's canyons, where the RX felt more refined and quicker, while the MDX took a bit longer to deliver its performance.
But not everything is about speed and straight-line acceleration. Canyon roads are a perfect way to test the car's handling, and it was there where we noticed how superior the RX was. The Lexus took corners with ease, delivering great body control and refinement, dancing through the twists. "It's smooth and quiet," associate road test editor Erick Ayapana said. "The transitions between the electric motors and combustion engine are imperceptible, showcasing Lexus's mastery of hybrid powertrains." Lexus also equipped the RX with rear-wheel steering, allowing it to take corners with more precision.
The Acura has its oomph, but it fell short of what we were expecting from a Type S. Although its 3.0-liter turbo V-6 has plenty of punch, it doesn't feel as refined as the Lexus. Type S has been about high performance and thrilling rides, not just quicker acceleration. "Those seeking a fun-to-drive crossover will likely be disappointed," Ayapana said. The 10-speed automatic hesitated to downshift, whereas the RX's old but mighty six-speed worked wonderfully. Ayapana described the Acura's ride as stiff and brittle and said its body control was adequate at best. That's not what we want from a vehicle wearing a Type S badge.
Neither SUV had the steering response we were looking for, as both had a soft and numb feel. The Acura's steering would change with its drive modes; it was soft in Normal mode but a bit stiffer when Sport mode was engaged. The Lexus' didn't really change much regardless of the drive mode, and we wished it delivered more feedback and precision.
Inside
Like their exterior design, the Lexus' and Acura's cabins come straight out of their mainstream variants but with some special badges. Both models have logos on their respective steering wheels, and the Lexus adds F Sport badges on the front headrests. Besides that, the cabins have the same interiors as their mainstream models, but each is approached differently.
Lexus' overall interior design feels cleaner and more modern. With a 14.0-inch touchscreen, the RX delivers a good first impression to anyone who sits in its cabin. The center console's small shifter adds a spacious touch to the cabin, and there are plenty of cubbies to place our belongings. The materials feel premium—from the leather on the seats to the textured Alcantara on the door panels. We're not huge fans of using piano black around the infotainment system, but we dig the aluminum trim that surrounded the air vents.
The MDX's overall look is also polished, but it doesn't have the same kind of modern feel the Lexus does. Its 12.3-inch screen sitting atop the dashboard looks premium but lacks the ease the Lexus infotainment offers. The MDX's screen is controlled through a touchpad on the center console, and even after a few years of testing it in different products, we prefer a traditional touchscreen over anything else. But the Acura is equipped with great materials; its leather seats and wood on the door panels feels upscale, and the aluminum trim on the speaker grilles adds a modern touch. Despite having a push-button shifter, the Acura's center console doesn't have as much space as the Lexus', and there aren't as many cubbies for phones, keys, and wallets.
The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in the MDX has better graphics than the RX, and the head-up display is easier to read thanks to its bolder numbers. The MDX Type S comes standard with massaging seats for the driver and front passenger, a feature that the RX lacks and one we enjoyed using during our comparison.
Space-wise, both SUVs have decent room in the second row, and access to the third row in the Acura was easy. The MDX's third row felt constrained for adults, though; it could be fine for a quick trip down the street, but it was designed mostly for children.
Safety and Value
Safety is a top priority for both Acura and Lexus, and both the MDX Type S and RX500h F Sport are equipped with safety technologies to help drivers on the highway and city streets. With AcuraWatch and Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, both vehicles come standard with safety tech suites.
These safety suites include the usual technologies like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, road departure mitigation, and traffic jam assist, which follows the car in front of you at low speeds on the freeway. Both did a terrific job on the highway, staying in their lane and keeping a safe distance from the car in front. The systems were refined when accelerating or braking and felt swift as we breezed through. Each system was easy to use, but we preferred the Acura's because it clearly labels the buttons on the steering wheel. The RX has labeled buttons to turn the adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist on and off, but adjusting the speed or distance must be done by looking at the head up display, which mirrors the unlabeled buttons on the steering wheel. Ultimately, we got used to it, but it's an extra step that could be avoided.
Although the Acura costs about $4,000 more than the Lexus, it still feels competitive. The cabin is well equipped and has a third row that's good in a pinch or for children, and the quality of materials is just as nice in either SUV. But the Lexus has better technology—from its 14.0-inch touchscreen to a 360-degree camera system, something our base MDX Type S lacked, though it's standard in the top-trim. The Lexus was also superior on the road and has much better fuel economy figures—27/28/27 mpg city/highway/combined compared to the Acura's 17/21/19 mpg.
Which Should I Buy?
Acura and Lexus have been longtime rivals, and although the MDX Type S and RX500h F Sport represent different avenues to deliver their performance, they share the same goal. The Lexus combines an internal combustion engine with its electrified powertrain to deliver low-end torque, while the Type S brings a powerful mill with a turbo. But how they drive is quite different. The Lexus' smooth and polished ride is superior, delivering a sporty experience while the Type S' ride is busier and unrefined. Whether it was on our straight-line tests or the Malibu canyons, the Lexus was faster and more fun to drive.
Beyond the performance angle, the Lexus did a better job than the Acura—it has more modern technology and better fuel economy, plus it costs a bit less, making it the winner of this comparison. The Type S is still a decent SUV, but Acura needs to refine its ride and increase its technology to make it more competitive.
Second Place: Acura MDX Type S
Pros
- Well-equipped cabin
- Great safety technologies
- Fits up to seven passengers
Cons
- Unrefined ride
- Needs more Type S punch
- Hard-to-use tech
First Place: Lexus RX500h F Sport Performance
Pros
- Quick, refined powertrain
- Settled ride
- Superb fuel economy
Cons
- Bland steering feel
- No third row
- Noisy tires
2024 Acura MDX Type S vs. Lexus RX500h F Sport Specifications
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance front three quarters in action
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance front view in action
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance rear three quarters in action
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance front three quarters
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance front view
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance Brand Badge
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance headlights
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance side profile
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance wheels
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance rear three quarters
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance taillights
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance trim badge
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance engine
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance driver seat
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance steering wheel
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance infotainment system
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance steering wheel controls
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance steering wheel controls
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance steering wheel detail
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance center console
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance front seats
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance back seats
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance cargo space
2023 Lexus RX500h Fsport Performance back seats climate control
2024 Acura MDX TypeS front three quarters
2024 Acura MDX TypeS front view in action
2024 Acura MDX TypeS front three quarters in action
2024 Acura MDX TypeS rear three quarters in action
2024 Acura MDX TypeS front three quarters
2024 Acura MDX TypeS front view
2024 Acura MDX TypeS trim badge
2024 Acura MDX TypeS headlights
2024 Acura MDX TypeS side profile
2024 Acura MDX TypeS trim badge
2024 Acura MDX TypeS wheels
2024 Acura MDX TypeS rear three quarters
2024 Acura MDX TypeS taillights
2024 Acura MDX TypeS engine
2024 Acura MDX TypeS steering wheel controls
2024 Acura MDX TypeS steering wheel controls
2024 Acura MDX TypeS steering wheel detail
2024 Acura MDX TypeS infotainment system
2024 Acura MDX TypeS drive mode
2024 Acura MDX TypeS center console
2024 Acura MDX TypeS system pad control
2024 Acura MDX TypeS driver seat
2024 Acura MDX TypeS front seats
2024 Acura MDX TypeS back seats
2024 Acura MDX TypeS back seats climate control
2024 Acura MDX TypeS back seats arm rest and cup holder
2024 Acura MDX TypeS cargo space
2024 Acura MDX TypeS cargo space
Miguel Cortina is Mexico Editor at MotorTrend, covering the auto industry in the U.S. and south of the border. He joined MotorTrend in January 2015 and is an avid automotive enthusiast who enjoys playing golf, surfing, and running in his free time.
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