TOP LUXURY 3-ROW?? 2026 Lexus TX 350 vs. 2026 Acura MDX: Comparison

What's going on YouTube? So the Lexus TX has been a huge disruptor in the luxury three-row space. Its sales figures have been rocketing up the charts and it's giving its rivals a true run for their money including the Acura MDX. But the MDX has also went under the knife recently for a big update and it's not backing down. So which of these Japanese luxury three rows should you buy? Let's find out. The MDX and TX offer a wide variety of configurations and for today we're going to show off the versions that skew the most towards luxury and comfort with the most popular powertrain option as well. If you're looking to buy either of them make sure to check out carconfections.com slash new car quotes to get the best price and access to invoice pricing information. Let's start with a look around the exteriors where both models are sporting sophisticated designs. The MDX utilizes a distinct grille, sharp lines throughout, and lots of black and chrome accents. Meanwhile the TX is smoother especially in the front with a somewhat generic grille. While we won't score the designs let us know which one you'd pick in the comments. However we will score the many features and differences throughout starting with the headlamps. While each has a fully LED unit with distinct daytime running lights and LED fog lamps it's only the TX that includes cornering lamps as well. By the way feel free to keep your own score along the way based on what's most important to you. Moving around the vehicles you'll see that the TX has two inch larger wheels at 22 inches and more importantly it is significantly larger when it comes to length. It dwarfs the MDX by about five inches. We'll definitely talk about the packaging and space later on to see if there's any noticeable differences on the inside. Out back the MDX retains a sleeker silhouette but nonetheless they share many features like spoilers, exposed wipers, and full LED tail lamps. While the MDX also has exposed exhaust outlets both models can tow up to 5,000 pounds as equipped. The mirrors are also fully loaded on these two with heating, blind spot monitoring, power folding, and auto dimming. Though the MDX includes it on both the driver and passenger side. Continuing with safety both also include their brand's latest active safety features. This adds in things like traffic jam assist functions as well. But there are way more important differences to discuss in the cabins as well so let's get to that. But first if you're new here we're brothers and we've been reviewing cars since we were 12 and 16. We started young and since then we've reviewed over 2,000 cars at every price point. No matter what you're looking for from our long-term vehicle videos to our side-by-side comparisons we'd love for you to subscribe to be a part of our car confections family. Let's learn a lot and have some fun with all the latest cars. Walking up to them each has their brand's respective key fobs with standard smart entry. Only the MDX has a dedicated remote start button allowing for long-range capability from the fob without a subscription for life. Interestingly the TX has electronic door handles so the handle itself won't move when you grab it. Once open you'll be greeted by luxurious brown colored interiors with different takes on luxury. Starting with the seats they're wrapped in supple high-end leather on both models semi-aniline and Milano respectively. But the MDX has an advantage in seat function with more ways of power adjustment and massage for a true luxury experience. They both share heating ventilation and memory. Once inside we can get into the overall materials and build quality which will divide into two distinct categories. Both are incredibly solid and well built as expected with fantastic fit and finish. For the materials though they are roughly equal and neither are class leaders. The Lexus uses more soft touch leatherette materials and suede throughout the cabin for a plush experience and avoids the large amount of piano black that the MDX uses. But the MDX uses a lot more wood compared to the tiny strip on the Lexus. Altogether we'll call this category even but keep in mind your personal preferences. After startup you'll see 12.3 inch digital gauge clusters on both with customizable views. They also have large head-up displays and moving back we have leather wrapped steering wheels with heating and power adjustment. Now let's analyze interior storage which will split into both sensor console size and additional storage cubbies. In the console the Lexus starts to flex its focus on practicality fitting 21 of our signature donuts in the console versus only 10 in the MDX. Beyond the consoles the TX continues to shine with large reconfigurable cup holders, deeper cubbies, and even some lower console storage as well. The Lexus is the clear winner here. Storage aside they share wireless phone chargers and electronic shifters as well. Once in reverse you'll be Moving up the dash both come with three zone automatic climate control systems but the Acura has fully physical knobs and buttons for easier adjustment while driving. Nonetheless they both have physical volume knobs so let's give the sound systems a sample. Despite having fewer speakers the MDX's B&O sound system offers superior sound quality with more richness, more customizability, and metal speaker grills. Now to the screens where the Lexus outsizes the Acura with 14 inches over 12.3 inches. Keep in mind that some of that space is used for your climate controls though. Size aside they have the newest infotainment systems with navigation wireless apple carplay and android auto and even google built-in on the MDX so that you can use google apps natively. Finally up top both models have large panoramic sunroofs and auto dimming mirrors though the TX also has a camera mirror. Now families are sure to use these models for road trips and more so let's discuss the space and packaging in the back areas. Starting with the second row of seats the Lexus has a small advantage but the measured figures are within five percent so no points will be awarded here. Beyond space let's discuss the many features offered. For seats they are neck and neck here with reclining sliding and heated seats though the TX also helps you cool down with ventilation. And while the TX offers a bench seat on this model the MDX has a cool parting trick for maximal flexibility. Its second row has a removable center seat that can also be used for an extra passenger or a built-in armrest. This gives you the flexibility to swap between six or seven passenger seating while the TX forces you to pick. For the remaining features they share vents, USBs, climate controls, and sunshades but the MDX also throws in a 12 volt outlet in the console area. Now for the third rows here is where the TX's sizing advantages truly start to shine as it offers 15 percent more leg room in the third row over the MDX. This will make a big difference in passenger comfort especially on long road trips or if you have larger kids or adults back there. Features wise the Lexus continues to pull ahead with power adjustment and overhead air vents to keep your passengers cool in addition to the cupholders and USBs that they both share. Out back both have hands-free power lift gates to access the cargo areas. At this point you likely won't be surprised that the Lexus TX has a space advantage but by how much? Well it's actually more than you might think. The Lexus is larger by 24 percent behind the third row, a whopping 47 percent behind the second row, and 36 percent as a maximum with the second and third rows folded. Needless to say the space by itself shows a lot of reason why this model has been so popular since its introduction. The TX also has a power folding third row something not offered on the Acura but neither have releases for their second rows from back here. Both models also have spare tires. All right that's it for the interiors so now let's take this close fight to the streets. Throughout this comparison we've seen how Lexus and Acura have taken different routes for developing these popular products and that continues with what's under their hoods. The MDX sticks with a classic naturally aspirated V6 while the TX opts for a new school turbo four-cylinder. This is a mixed bag in terms of advantages since the TX has more torque but the MDX has more horsepower and the quicker 0 to 60 performance. All right that's acceleration up to about 60 miles an hour with this MDX. Now like we mentioned this is the advanced trim and the advanced trim like well all the rest of the trims except for the Type S comes with the 3.5 liter naturally aspirated V6 engine still makes 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. All right that's 60 miles per hour with this Lexus TX 350. So like we discussed at the beginning in the spec dump this is available in three different power train options. They're all three quite distinct from each other and you can just kind of you know match with what your lifestyle is. This is the version most people are going to walk away from the dealership with. It's the TX 350 like I said it's the 2.4 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. As you could hear the engine note on the MDX exudes more luxury than the less refined TX. Transmission-wise the MDX and TX have 10 and 8-speed automatics respectively which are both smooth and day-to-day driving. They also have all-wheel drive as equipped. Now the other element of the powertrain is the 10-speed automatic transmission. This is a Honda and Acura's in-house developed transmission and we've always been a big fan of this transmission. It's nice and smooth. Let's talk a little bit about the transmission situation as well while we wait at this next red light. You have three different transmissions for the different powertrains. This is the 8-speed automatic. Let's also talk about handling and ride quality. On a back road the smaller and more athletic MDX will feel more nimble. It has better balance and more steering feel but ride quality is where the luxury truly shines. These two are some of the best riding options on the market so you will not be disappointed with either of them. Between the larger wheels and the TX and the slightly sportier dynamic of the MDX we'll call this category even. Now as far as the ride quality like I just mentioned the advance is very luxury oriented so when it comes to ride this thing rides phenomenally. The MDX has always done a good job with that. It continues as you hit bumps in the road it does a great job of just soaking them up. This one on the outside only has 20 inch alloys so it's not the biggest wheel that you can get and because of that it does a really great job. I think you're gonna be very pleasantly surprised. Now as you probably expect this vehicle is luxury focused and you can definitely feel that when it comes to ride quality. As soon as you sit in these seats you just like kind of melt in. These luxury seats are fantastic seats and also the suspension is tuned so nicely here in this luxury variant. It really does a great job of soaking up the bumps and even despite us having the optional 22s on the outside it still rides really nicely. So in addition to having comfy rides let's talk about the noise levels in the cabins. The average adult can discern about a one decibel difference in noise which the TX manages to pull off today. It is one of the segment leaders in quietness though the MDX's reading is not half bad either. 54.6 is what we settled in at very good wow 51.7 decibels is what we are sitting at. Finally for feel economy the TX's four-cylinder makes enough of an efficiency difference to score a point. While the TX350 is the volume seller keep in mind that only the Lexus offers additional hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Reliability and resale value are also important things to consider when comparing models so let's get into that. Beginning with reliability our combined reliability index indicates that Lexus and Acura are some of the most reliable luxury brands. They're both above the overall industry average but Lexus scores more points since it's the number one brand overall. Related to reliability is your warranty coverage where both include the same terms for basic and powertrain warranties plus about one year of complementary maintenance visits. Now as far as resale value the Lexus again pulls ahead. Based on our car confections calculations the TX will be a few percentage points better than the MDX after five years and 60,000 miles. But how do these luxury options shake down in terms of price? While neither of these SUVs are cheap it's the MDX that will have the more appealing price tag for this showdown. With the equal features you've seen throughout this comparison the TX is two grand over 70,000 bucks while the MDX is two grand under that mark. Let's account for the fairly significant price difference using our scale. This $3,845 difference will give the MDX plus 1.5 points. We want to emphasize that if money reliability or resale value matter less to you personally feel free to disregard these points. So there you have it the objective winner. Do you agree? Let's go over some reasons why you might choose each one and then we'll tell you which one Mason and I will put in each of our driveways. I'll start with the TX. Three big reasons why you would pick the TX is the fact that it is larger in a lot of dimensions also it gets better fuel economy also having the additional hybrid options which give you even better fuel economy and you also have a better third row. Now on the flip side the Acura MDX should be what you pick if you want the v6 refinement. It also has some luxury perks like the massaging front seats and nicer cabin overall and it does also have a pretty cool flexible seating option in the second row and speaking of the advantages one has over the other we'd encourage you to go to carconfections.com slash vehicle rankings. We've looked at all the three row luxury midsize SUVs for sale not just these two and we've ranked them in individual categories things like the third row interior luxury technology powertrain choices and value and you can sort the list and see the best options in each of those categories so if you want to make an informed buying decision definitely check that out on our website carconfections.com. But which would we put in our driveways? I'm gonna go with the MDX the big reasons are that it has more luxury and also I feel like the driving character is a little bit better. Absolutely me too also the v6 I really like in that vehicle whether that's rational or not I do really enjoy that for sure. Now let us know your thoughts down below which one are you taking also if you're new to the channel we'd encourage you to hit that subscribe button down below join our family we have a lot of comparisons and full reviews that I promise you won't want to miss out on and if you're already part of our family thank you so much for your continued support. Also if you're looking to buy either of these SUVs or any vehicle we'd also like to encourage you to go to carconfections.com slash new car quotes we have a tool on our website that'll connect you with local car dealers in your area to get you the best price it's also going to give you access to invoice pricing information which is a great tool to use if you plan on doing any dealership negotiation you can find all that once more on carconfections.com we'll catch you next time as we sample more of the latest automotive delicacies