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The biggest difference is seats. The 2026 Acura MDX has three rows standard; the 2026 Lexus RX 350 does not offer a third row at all. The MDX also has a 290-hp V-6 against the RX’s 275-hp four, 71.4 cubic feet of maximum cargo space against 46.2, and a 5,000-pound tow rating against 3,500.
If you are cross-shopping these two, the decision is probably already made for you by how many people you carry. The RX 350 is a two-row luxury SUV. The MDX is a three-row one. Lexus sells the TX for three-row buyers, and that is the fairer fight — we compare the MDX against the TX 350 separately.
That said, plenty of shoppers land on both, because the RX is priced and sized close enough to be tempting. Here is what you actually give up.
| Specification | 2026 Acura MDX | 2026 Lexus RX 350 |
|---|---|---|
| Seating rows | Three, standard | Two — third row not available |
| Engine | 3.5-liter V-6 | 2.4-liter inline four |
| Horsepower | 290 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 275 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Front suspension | Double-wishbone | MacPherson strut |
| Max cargo volume | 71.4 cu ft behind first row | 46.2 cu ft behind first row |
| Max towing capacity | 5,000 lb | 3,500 lb |
| Power front seats | 12-way | 8-way |
| Panoramic moonroof | Standard | Additional cost |
| Wireless charging | Standard | Additional cost |
Cargo and towing figures are manufacturer-published maximums for properly equipped vehicles and vary by trim and configuration.
The RX 350 does not offer a third row. If you occasionally need seven seats — carpool, grandparents, a weekend with two extra kids — the RX cannot do it in any trim, at any price.
Cargo follows the same pattern. With the seats folded, the MDX offers 71.4 cubic feet against the RX’s 46.2. Behind the second row the MDX gives 39.1 against 29.6. That is not a rounding difference; it is the difference between fitting the flat-pack and making two trips.
The MDX also adds one-touch third-row access with two illuminated buttons and a second row whose middle seat folds into an armrest and lifts out entirely.
| Specification | MDX | RX 350 |
|---|---|---|
| Third row | Standard | Not available |
| Cargo behind second row | 39.1 cu ft | 29.6 cu ft |
| Cargo behind first row | 71.4 cu ft | 46.2 cu ft |
The MDX runs a 3.5-liter V-6 making 290 horsepower through a 10-speed automatic. The RX 350 uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged four making 275 horsepower through an 8-speed.
Towing separates them further: 5,000 pounds for a properly equipped MDX against 3,500 for the RX 350. A small travel trailer or a pair of jet skis sits on the wrong side of that line for the Lexus.
Underneath, the MDX uses a double-wishbone front suspension and the RX a MacPherson strut. The MDX also runs a wider tire — P255/55 R19 against P235/60 R19 — and offers SH-AWD with torque vectoring, which the RX’s all-wheel-drive system does not provide.
| Specification | MDX | RX 350 |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 290 hp | 275 hp |
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 3,500 lb |
| Front suspension | Double-wishbone | MacPherson strut |
| Standard tire | P255/55 R19 | P235/60 R19 |
| AWD torque vectoring | Available with SH-AWD | Not offered |
The panoramic moonroof, wireless charging and the driver memory system are standard on the MDX and cost extra on the RX 350. Front seats are 12-way power on the MDX against 8-way on the Lexus, which matters more than it sounds if you and a partner are different heights.
The MDX also uses a capless fuel filler; the RX still uses a conventional cap on a tether.
| Specification | MDX | RX 350 |
|---|---|---|
| Panoramic moonroof | Standard | Additional cost |
| Wireless charging | Standard | Additional cost |
| Driver memory system | Standard | Additional cost |
| Power front seats | 12-way | 8-way |
Lexus reliability and resale reputation is well earned and consistently reflected in third-party ownership studies. That is a real financial argument, not a soft one.
The RX 350h and RX 450h+ hybrids deliver fuel economy the MDX does not attempt. If your commute is long and mostly stop-and-go, run the numbers on a hybrid RX before you write it off — the fuel saving over six years can be substantial.
The RX is smaller, and in a tight parking structure or a narrow older neighborhood that is a genuine advantage rather than a compromise.
If you need three rows, this is not a close call — the RX 350 does not offer them. Compare the MDX against the Lexus TX 350 instead.
If two rows are enough and fuel economy is your priority, the hybrid RX variants are worth driving. If two rows are enough and you want more power, more cargo, more towing and more standard equipment, the MDX wins on every one of those.
We stock new MDX inventory in Elk Grove and will happily put the tape measure in the cargo area for you.
No. The 2026 Lexus RX 350 is a two-row, five-passenger SUV and does not offer a third row in any trim. The 2026 Acura MDX has three rows standard. Lexus sells the TX for three-row buyers.
The MDX offers 39.1 cubic feet behind the second row and 71.4 cubic feet behind the first row. The RX 350 offers 29.6 and 46.2 cubic feet respectively.
The MDX is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The RX 350 is rated at 3,500 pounds.
The MDX makes 290 horsepower from a 3.5-liter V-6; the RX 350 makes 275 horsepower from a 2.4-liter turbocharged four. The MDX also uses a 10-speed automatic against the RX 350’s 8-speed.
Lexus has a strong and well-documented reliability and resale reputation. Both brands rank well in third-party ownership studies. Acura backs the MDX powertrain for 6 years or 70,000 miles; ask each dealer for current warranty terms in writing.
If you need three rows, compare the MDX to the Lexus TX 350, which is Lexus’s three-row model. The RX 350 is a two-row vehicle and is the closer size and price match to a two-row luxury SUV.
Elk Grove Acura, 8585 Laguna Grove Dr, Elk Grove, CA 95757. Sales 833-857-1325. Sales hours Monday–Saturday 9 AM–8 PM, Sunday 10 AM–7 PM.
Specifications, features and pricing are as published by each manufacturer at the time of writing and are subject to change. Competitive figures are drawn from manufacturer-published product information. Starting MSRP excludes tax, title, license, destination and handling, registration and documentary fees, and dealer-installed accessories. Dealers set actual selling prices. Feature availability varies by trim and may change during the model year — confirm equipment on the window sticker of the specific vehicle you are considering. Driver-assistance systems are aids only and do not replace safe driving; see the Owner’s Manual for limitations.