2026 Lexus TX vs Acura MDX: Three-Row Luxury Compared

If you want a three-row luxury SUV without taking on a German price tag or a German maintenance bill, these are the two I steer people toward. The Lexus TX is purpose-built as a roomy, refined, hybrid-available family hauler. The Acura MDX is the sportier, more engaging one, with a genuinely hot Type S at the top. Both are reliable, well-equipped, and priced thousands under an equivalent BMW X5 or Audi Q7 — and I think both are smarter buys than the badge-chasers will admit. Here's how they split the difference.

At a glance

Spec	Lexus TX	Acura MDX
Base MSRP	$57,000	$52,500
Base engine	2.4L turbo, 275 hp	3.5L V6, 290 hp
Top engine	550h+ PHEV, 404 hp	Type S 3.0L turbo V6, 355 hp
Hybrid / PHEV	Yes (366 hp / 404 hp)	No
EPA combined (base)	22 mpg	21 mpg
Cargo behind 3rd row	20.2 cu-ft	18.1 cu-ft
Max cargo	97.0 cu-ft	71.4 cu-ft
Max towing	5,000 lb	5,000 lb

The TX is the bigger, more space-efficient SUV with electrified options the MDX can't match. The MDX is the better driver's car and starts several thousand dollars cheaper.

Powertrain

The MDX leads with a smooth 3.5-liter V6 making 290 hp, a 10-speed automatic, and Acura's excellent SH-AWD torque-vectoring — the secret sauce that makes a big SUV change direction like something smaller. The Type S swaps in a 3.0-liter turbo V6 good for 355 hp and 354 lb-ft, plus adaptive air suspension and Brembos. It's the genuine performance pick here, and the one that makes me grin.

The TX takes the electrified road. The base 2.4-liter turbo (275 hp) is adequate but the least interesting choice. Step up to the TX 500h hybrid (366 hp) or the plug-in TX 550h+ (404 hp, about 33 miles of electric-only range) and you get more thrust, far better efficiency, and near-silent low-speed running. The 550h+ is the most powerful and most efficient powertrain in this comparison at once — a neat trick.

Verdict on powertrain: The MDX Type S is the enthusiast's choice and SH-AWD is brilliant. But Lexus offers hybrid and plug-in options the MDX simply doesn't, and the 550h+ out-muscles even the Type S.

Space and the third row

The TX was built from the ground up to fix the cramped third rows that plague this class, and it's the clear winner for people and cargo.

Spec	Lexus TX	Acura MDX
3rd-row legroom	33.5 in	29.1 in
Behind 3rd row	20.2 cu-ft	18.1 cu-ft
Behind 2nd row	57.4 cu-ft	48.4 cu-ft
Max cargo	97.0 cu-ft	71.4 cu-ft

The gap is dramatic. The TX's third row genuinely seats adults; I'd reserve the MDX's for kids or short hops. Fold everything and the TX swallows 25 cubic feet more. If you'll actually use all three rows or haul a lot, that's close to decisive.

Verdict on space: Not close. The TX is in a different league for passengers and cargo.

Interior, tech, and ride

Both cabins are genuinely luxurious and a clear step above mainstream three-rows. The TX leans quiet and serene — thick glass, supple ride, that Lexus assembly quality I've come to trust. The MDX leans driver-focused, with a cockpit-like layout, a crisp 12.3-inch screen, and an excellent ELS audio system.

Both run wireless CarPlay and Android Auto with full driver-assist standard (Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, AcuraWatch). The MDX's True Touchpad interface is still its weak point — less intuitive than the TX's straightforward touchscreen, and a thing I've watched frustrate more than one owner. Ride comfort to the TX; steering feel and body control to the MDX.

Reliability and resale

This is a strength for both, and the whole reason to cross-shop them against the Germans. Lexus sits at or near the top of every dependability study, and Acura is right behind. My five-year resale read:

• Lexus TX: 58% of MSRP
• Acura MDX: 53% of MSRP

The TX holds value better — the usual Lexus premium — though the MDX's lower entry price narrows the real-dollar gap. Both will cost you far less to keep over five years than an X5 or Q7, and that's the part badge-shoppers underrate.

The verdict

Buy the Lexus TX if you want the roomiest third row and cargo hold, you value hybrid or plug-in efficiency, or you prioritize a quiet ride and best-in-class resale. For families who'll actually use all three rows, it's the obvious pick — and my default recommendation here.

Buy the Acura MDX if you want the better-driving SUV, you're drawn to the Type S's real performance, or you simply want three-row luxury at a lower entry price.

The TX wins on space, efficiency, and refinement; the MDX wins on driving engagement, price, and the Type S halo. For a three-row with even more presence, see Genesis GV80 vs Lincoln Aviator, and check current lease deals for June 2026.