The 2024 Acura RDX and Lexus NX score highly in our ranking of the best compact luxury SUVs. Some of their standout attributes include their premium interiors, fuel efficiency, and overall value. That’s right, even a vehicle with a luxury badge on its front grille can represent a great bargain compared to pricier rivals. Both the RDX and NX do precisely that.
We’ve admired the Acura RDX’s sporty driving manners during numerous test drives. Its 272-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder is paired with a quick-witted 10-speed automatic gearbox. Acceleration is strong and linear in all types of driving conditions. All-wheel drive (AWD) is newly standard on every RDX for the 2024 model year.
The Lexus NX takes a slightly calmer, more traditional approach. Car shoppers looking for a vehicle with a supple ride and elegant cabin would be wise to put the NX on their test drive list. The Lexus brand is a repeat winner of our Best Resale Value Award and recently added the Most Trusted Luxury Brand award to its trophy cabinet.
Let’s explore some highlights of the Acura RDX and Lexus NX to see how they stack up.
2024 Acura RDX
With a starting price of $45,700, including destination charge, the 2024 Acura RDX undercuts competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3, Audi Q5, and Genesis GV70. While we’re all about bang for the buck, we recommend the RDX with Technology package. It costs only slightly more and adds a suite of features like navigation, leather seating, wireless device charging, and a 12-speaker ELS surround-sound audio system.
Acura RDX Highlights
Standard features for the money: Sticking with the base RDX doesn’t mean you will feel shortchanged. Acura makes a point of adding loads of goodies into this 5-seat compact SUV, such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a power liftgate, panoramic sunroof, satellite radio, and several active driver aids like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning.
Fun to drive: Nestled in the engine bay is a free-revving turbocharged 4-cylinder that sends 272 horsepower to all four wheels. Thanks to its standard Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, power is seamlessly distributed to each wheel as needed. This helps you navigate slippery roads and boosts the accuracy and agility of the RDX’s steering.
ELS audio system: What do the Grammys and Acura have in common? How about an available 16-speaker audio system with 710 watts of power and a peerless engineering pedigree? ELS stands for Elliot Scheiner, a Grammy-winning sound engineer who inspired this awesome audio system.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the RDX models for sale near you.
2024 Lexus NX
The Lexus NX gets high praise for its luxurious cabin and choice of two available hybrid powertrains for those who like squeezing more miles out of every tank of gas. Serving as the base powertrain is a 203-hp 4-cylinder that’s available with front- or all-wheel drive. Every other version of the NX has AWD as standard equipment. Pricing starts at $40,605, including destination fee.
Lexus NX Highlights
User-friendly infotainment system: Unlike the quirky touchpad controller found in the Acura RDX, the Lexus NX uses a conventional touchscreen for its infotainment system. A 9.8-inch screen is standard, and it comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, satellite radio, and navigation. A 14-inch screen is available in lower trims for approximately $1,200 if you prefer more infotainment acreage. It comes standard in the plug-in hybrid NX 450h+ models.
Available hybrid powertrain: Lexus offers hybrid options in the NX model range. The NX 350h uses a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas-fed engine and electric motor to produce 240 combined horsepower. EPA-rated combined fuel economy is an impressive 39 mpg. Sitting atop the range is the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid. Its combination of a 4-cylinder gas engine and larger electric motor results in 304 hp and 37 miles of EPA-estimated electric driving range.
Cabin quality: The interior of the NX reminds us why the Lexus brand has such a loyal cadre of owners. There are soft-touch surfaces and nicely placed controls throughout the cabin. We also appreciate the multitude of storage nooks and crannies, especially considering the NX is sized a bit smaller than many of its competitors.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the NX models for sale near you.
Similarities
There’s more shared between these two small luxury SUVs than the fact they have an X at the end of their respective names. They’re easy to drive, loaded with standard safety and tech features, and should provide many years of trouble-free driving, not to mention exceptional resale value. They also have very similar warranties and safety ratings.
Conclusion
Consider us fans of both the Acura RDX and Lexus NX. Yet they take different approaches in how they go about proving their merits. The RDX feels sharper and more energetic in everyday driving. The touchpad controller for the infotainment system is one major hiccup, however.
The Lexus NX does what you expect from a Lexus product. It gets down the road calmly and with very little commotion. It has the better of the two cabins, though the RDX has notable advantages in terms of available headroom, legroom, and cargo space. And while the base price of the NX is tempting, the standard 203-hp 4-cylinder runs out of steam when anything but modest levels of acceleration are needed.
Which is right for you depends on your priorities. If you want a driving experience reminiscent of a pricier German vehicle, or if you want extra interior space, you’ll appreciate the RDX. The NX is a better fit if you prioritize comfort and efficiency over sporty driving dynamics.
| 2024 Acura RDX | 2024 Lexus NX | |
| Starting Price w/ destination fee | $45,700 | $40,605 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 272 hp @ 6,500 rpm | 203 hp @ 6,600 rpm |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft @ 1,600-4,500 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 21 city/27 highway/23 combined | 26 city/33 highway/28 combined |
| Also Available | AWD; turbo 2.4-liter 4-cyl.; 2.5-liter 4-cyl. engine/electric motor | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 6 years/70,000 miles | 6 years/70,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 108.3 inches | 105.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 187.4 inches | 183.5 inches |
| Width | 74.8 inches | 73.4 inches |
| Height | 65.7 inches | 65.4 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 39.0 feet | 40.0 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.0 inches | 38.3 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 38.0 inches | 38.5 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.0 inches | 41.0 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 38.0 inches | 36.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 60.0 inches | 56.3 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 57.0 inches | 54.0 inches |
| Cargo Volume, seats up/down | 29.5/58.9 cubic feet | 22.7/46.9 cubic feet |
