Acura MDX vs. Lexus RX: Which is the Better Luxury SUV for Drivers in Savannah, GA

Is the Acura MDX Better Than the Lexus RX?

Depends largely on family size — the Acura MDX comes standard with three-row seating for up to seven, while the Lexus RX seats five across two rows. The MDX Type S also tows more than the RX, even with the RX's optional Tow Package. It's simply the more spacious, capable choice.

• Seating: Acura MDX seats up to seven across three rows; Lexus RX seats five across two rows.
• Towing Capacity: MDX tows more than the RX, even with the RX's optional Tow Package, and does it standard with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD).
• Horsepower: MDX Type S makes 355 hp from a turbocharged V6; RX ranges from 275 hp (RX 350) up to 366 combined hp on the RX 500h hybrid.
• Hybrid Availability: The Lexus RX offers hybrid powertrains (RX 350h and RX 500h); the Acura MDX lineup is gas-only.
• Drivetrain: MDX offers Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD); RX offers a standard all-wheel-drive system.

👉 Browse All Acura MDX Inventory in Savannah, GA at Southern Motors Acura

If you're shopping for a three-row luxury SUV in Savannah, there's a good chance the MDX and RX are both on your list — and that makes sense. They're both comfortable, well-equipped, and built by brands known for reliability. We just think the MDX pulls ahead for most families once you see what's actually standard: more seats, more towing muscle, and a driving feel that's a little more fun.

Worth knowing: Southern Motors Acura sells more than just Acuras. Alongside our full new MDX lineup, our pre-owned lot regularly includes trade-ins from other brands, Lexus included, so if you're genuinely torn between the two, you can often see them side by side in one visit. We're at 102 Park of Commerce Drive in Savannah, happy to help Richmond Hill, Pembroke, and Pritchardville shoppers compare both without any pressure.

Exterior Styling

The MDX wears a wide, confident stance with Acura's signature Diamond Pentagon grille, and the Type S dials it up with a bolder front fascia, quad exhaust tips, and its own wheel design. It looks right at home in Savannah's Historic District and just as comfortable hitched to a trailer for a weekend trip.

The Lexus RX takes a calmer approach — Lexus's spindle grille and smooth lines favor a quiet, polished presence over making a statement. The F SPORT trims add darker accents and bigger wheels, but the RX still reads as a two-row crossover built around comfort.

Acura MDX Styling Highlights:

• Grille Design: Acura's Diamond Pentagon grille across the lineup
• Type S Details: A bolder front fascia, quad exhaust tips, and Type S-specific wheels
• Stance: A wide, confident three-row-SUV stance that still looks sporty
• Drivetrain Options: Front-wheel drive or Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) available across trims

Interior Comfort & Features

This is where the MDX really wins families over: every trim comes with three rows and room for up to seven, so a last-minute trip to Tybee Island with the whole crew — plus a friend or two — is never a problem. Higher trims add the available ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, which makes every drive feel a little more special.

The Lexus RX is lovely inside, no question — quiet, nicely finished, and comfortable for a couple or a small family. But it only seats five across two rows, so if your household regularly needs a third row, the RX simply can't stretch that far. The F SPORT trims do add sportier seats and trim touches if that's your style.

Acura MDX Interior Highlights:

• Seating: Three rows, with room for up to seven passengers on every trim
• Premium Audio: Available ELS Studio 3D audio system
• Cabin Feel: A quiet, upscale cabin across the lineup
• Flexibility: Configurable second- and third-row space for passengers or cargo

Performance & Capability

The standard MDX runs a V6 rated at 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, towing up to 3,500 lbs with front-wheel drive or 5,000 lbs with SH-AWD. Want more punch? The MDX Type S steps up to a turbocharged V6 making 355 hp and 354 lb-ft, plus an adaptive air suspension that makes the ride feel noticeably sharper.

The Lexus RX takes a different path with smaller turbocharged and hybrid engines: the RX 350 makes 275 hp and 317 lb-ft, the RX 350h hybrid makes 246 combined hp, and the range-topping RX 500h F SPORT Performance tops out at 366 combined hp and 406 lb-ft. Even so, RX towing caps out at 3,500 lbs, and only with the optional Tow Package added — exactly what the MDX Type S does standard with SH-AWD.

What You Need	Better Fit	Why
Three-Row Seating	Acura MDX	Seats up to seven; RX seats five across two rows
Maximum Towing	Acura MDX	5,000 lbs with SH-AWD vs. 3,500 lbs on RX with its optional Tow Package
Hybrid Powertrain Option	Lexus RX	RX 350h and RX 500h hybrid variants; the MDX lineup is gas-only
Peak Horsepower	Lexus RX	RX 500h hybrid's 366 combined hp edges the MDX Type S's 355 hp

Specs reflect current MDX inventory at Southern Motors Acura and Acura's 2026 MDX fact sheet, plus Lexus's published specifications for the 2027 RX. Confirm exact figures by trim with the dealership.

Why the Acura MDX Wins:

• Towing: Up to 5,000 lbs with SH-AWD, standard muscle the RX can't match even with its tow package
• Seating: Three rows standard, where the RX offers two rows only
• Driving Character: A gas-only V6 lineup, including the Type S's turbocharged V6, built for a more engaging drive
• Suspension: Adaptive air suspension available on the Type S for a noticeably sharper ride

Technology & Safety

Every MDX comes standard with Collision Mitigation Braking with Advanced Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Traffic Jam Assist, Blind Spot Information, and a Multi-View Rear Camera. Higher trims add the Surround-View Camera System and Head-Up Display through the Advance Package.

The Lexus RX holds its own too, with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 standard on every trim: Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. Both brands build a genuinely comprehensive safety suite into their base lineups.

Acura MDX Tech Advantages:

• Standard Safety Suite: Collision mitigation, lane keeping, and adaptive cruise control standard on every trim
• Visibility: Multi-View Rear Camera with Dynamic Guidelines standard
• Available Upgrades: Surround-View Camera System and Head-Up Display on the Advance Package
• Audio: Available ELS Studio 3D premium sound

Value & Ownership Costs

Southern Motors Acura regularly runs manufacturer and dealer offers on the 2026 MDX, including special financing for well-qualified buyers along with loyalty, graduate, and military programs. Our finance team is happy to walk you through what you qualify for — no guesswork needed. Review current Acura MDX lease and finance offers or get pre-approved for financing before you visit.

If long-term running costs matter most to you, the RX's available hybrid powertrains are worth a look. But factoring in the MDX's extra row of seating and higher towing ceiling, most three-row-SUV shoppers tell us the MDX delivers more usable value for daily life, especially with current incentives in play.

Why the Acura MDX Wins:

• Current Offers: Special financing and dealer incentives running on the 2026 MDX — ask our finance team for today's terms
• Loyalty Perks: Loyalty savings available for current TLX or RDX owners
• More Usable Space: A third row the RX simply doesn't offer
• One-Stop Shopping: Financing, trade-in, and the full MDX lineup available at one friendly Savannah location

5 Savannah Drives and Destinations Perfect for Your Acura MDX

Savannah's mix of historic streets and easy coastal day trips gives a three-row SUV plenty of real work to do. Here are five local favorites where the MDX's extra seats and towing really come in handy.

1. Forsyth Park, Savannah Historic District — a lovely walk around Savannah's best-known public park and its 1858 fountain.
2. Tybee Island, GA — about 18 miles from Savannah, with beaches and a lighthouse dating back to 1736.
3. Skidaway Island State Park — roughly 8 miles southeast of Savannah, with six miles of maritime-forest trails to explore.
4. River Street, Savannah — Savannah's charming cobblestone riverfront, lined with shops and restaurants.
5. Richmond Hill, GA — reachable via Highway 17, with plenty of room for the whole family or a loaded trailer.

👉 Browse All Acura MDX Inventory in Savannah, GA at Southern Motors Acura

Why Buy from Southern Motors Acura?

Choosing between the MDX and RX matters, but where you buy matters just as much — and we'd genuinely love to be that place for you.

✔️ The full MDX lineup in stock, from Base through Type S, at one Savannah location
✔️ A pre-owned lot that regularly includes other brands too, Lexus included, so true cross-shoppers can compare in person
✔️ Online pre-approval and a payment calculator to compare numbers before you visit
✔️ Current manufacturer offers applied directly by our friendly finance team
✔️ Service and parts departments on-site, open six days a week
✔️ One dealership serving Savannah, Richmond Hill, Pembroke, and Pritchardville shoppers

If you've been weighing an MDX against an RX, we'd love to show you both. Come schedule a test drive near me and feel the difference for yourself — our team can walk you through current offers and help you view all car for sale inventory before you decide. Whether you're after a new car dealership near me or just want friendly, no-pressure advice, we're here for it.

Ready to compare the MDX in person? Stop by Southern Motors Acura at 102 Park of Commerce Drive in Savannah, or give us a call at (912) 232-3333. We're open Monday through Saturday for sales, and our service and parts team is right there with you the same six days to keep your MDX running great long after the sale.