When reliability tops the wish list, most luxury buyers head straight to Lexus. It makes sense, considering the brand has built its reputation on Toyota engineering wrapped in a premium package, but it’s far from the only Japanese luxury automaker making reliable vehicles. SUV.
One model in particular goes unnoticed despite offering the same peace of mind. While the Lexus RX Asking about $52,000 for two rows and a hybrid configuration, this alternative gives you three rows, up to 355 horsepower, and Lexus-level reliability for about the same money.
It doesn’t have the sales numbers or attention of the RX, but that’s exactly what makes it such an underrated buy.
To provide you with the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was obtained from acura and other authoritative sources, including car rim, iSeeCarsand Maximum speed.
The Overlooked Luxury SUV Worth Considering
Acura’s sales success deserves much more attention
The SUV we are talking about is the Acura MDXand deserves much more attention than it receives. It’s Acura’s best-selling model in the U.S., and it combines Lexus-like reliability with the kind of size and practicality that make it easy to live with every day.
It also offers the performance, comfort and premium features you’d expect from a European luxury SUV, but without the higher ownership costs that one typically comes with.
Built to go far
The Lexus RX has long been one of the brand’s reliability benchmarks, and the Acura MDX deserves to be mentioned in the same breath. According iSeeCarsThe MDX has an estimated life of 153,225 miles, or 11.2 years, with a 22.9 percent chance of reaching 200,000 miles.
A big reason for those numbers is Honda’s proven family of J-series V-6 engines, whether you choose the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter or the turbocharged 3.0-liter in the MDX Type S. These engines have earned a reputation for lasting well beyond the average ownership cycle.
The RX still has the advantage, especially in its hybrid form, with the RX 350h It is expected to last 166,936 miles, or 14.3 years, and has a 29.6 percent chance of reaching 200,000 miles. The turbocharged RX 350 is also impressive at 148,840 miles, or 12.8 years, with a 19.2 percent chance of reaching the same milestone, while iSeeCars has yet to release data for the RX 500h F Sport Performance.
Lower running costs than European rivals
Reliability is only part of the story, because the Acura MDX is also surprisingly affordable. car rim estimates it will cost about $10,565 in maintenance and repairs over its first 10 years, which is $1,888 less than the average luxury SUV, while giving it only a 29 percent chance of needing a major repair during that time.
The difference becomes even more evident if we compare it with a BMW X5. car rim estimates that the
A lot of SUV for the money.
The MDX also makes a strong value case. Starting at $51,800, it’s priced almost exactly the same as the two-row Lexus RX, but gives you three rows, a standard V-6, and more power across the lineup, with the 355-horsepower MDX Type S handily beating the RX 350’s 275 horsepower.
Despite that, the MDX has never enjoyed the same popularity as the RX. Lexus simply has more prestige, but if you look beyond the badge, the MDX deserves mention in the same conversation thanks to its combination of performance, practicality and everyday usability.
Why the Acura MDX deserves more attention
It’s faster, more spacious and just as reliable as the Lexus RX
If the Lexus RX is already on your shortlist, the MDX deserves a spot there, too. The RX still makes more sense if you want a luxury hybrid, but if you’re sticking with a gas-powered SUV, the MDX is arguably the more attractive all-around package.
Elegant style inside and out
No matter which MDX you choose, you’ll get a midsize luxury SUV with a sporty touch, but the A-Spec, A-Spec Advance, and Type S trims are where the style really comes to life. They add a more aggressive front bumper, 20-inch dark-finished wheels and additional exterior details, while the Type S goes a step further with unique styling touches and larger 21-inch wheels.
The cabin won’t be to everyone’s taste, but it still has a lot to offer. The wide center console and sculpted dashboard give it a sporty feel, and while the generous use of gloss black trim isn’t as stylish as some rivals, the rest of the interior feels genuinely premium, with quality materials and a usable third row making the MDX more practical than many competitors.
A V-6 that is still worth having
This is where MDX starts to make a stronger case against RX. The V-6 is smooth and durable, thanks to Honda’s J-series configuration, long considered one of the most highly engineered V6s in the business.
Step up to the Type S and things get more serious, with a 3.0-liter turbo V-6 producing 355 horsepower and a seriously powerful soundtrack. Our colleagues from Maximum speed I’ve driven it and describe it as a suitably sporty and well-sorted SUV, helped by Brembo brakes at the front and adaptive dampers that keep things composed under pressure.
The 10-speed automatic transmission isn’t as precise as BMW’s excellent ZF unit, but it still does a solid job overall. As a whole, the MDX manages to balance everyday comfort with genuine driver appeal better than most of its rivals in its class.
- Basic tuning motor
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3.5L V6 ICE
- Base Fit Transmission
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10 speed automatic
- Base trim powertrain
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front wheel drive
- Base Adjustment Horsepower
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290 horsepower at 6200 rpm
- Base tightening torque
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267 foot-pounds @ 4700 RPM
- Base fuel economy (city/highway/combined)
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19/26/22 miles per gallon
- Base Fit Battery Type
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lead acid battery
- Do
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acura
- Model
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MDX
The non-Type S versions still have a lot of appeal, especially with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) adding a notable layer of rear axle torque vectoring. Still, the MDX remains impressively balanced, feeling sporty when pushed but comfortable enough for everyday use.
The Type S takes that contrast even further with adaptive dampers that sharpen the divide between comfort and performance modes. The V6 isn’t the most efficient in the segment, especially compared to BMW’s B58 straight-six in the X5, but there’s still a lot to like.
Overall, the MDX excels at combining three-row practicality with genuine driver appeal in a way that few rivals in this class achieve.
