2008 Acura MDX vs 2009 Lexus RX - The Car Connection

2008 Acura MDX

2009 Lexus RX

Select style

4WD 4-Door

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
MDX 4WD 4-Door	15	20	$36,530	$40,195
MDX 4WD 4-Door Sport Pkg	15	20	$41,608	$45,795
MDX 4WD 4-Door Sport/Entertainment Pkg	15	20	$43,603	$47,995
MDX 4WD 4-Door Sport/Pwr Tail Gate	15	20	$42,107	$46,345
MDX 4WD 4-Door Tech Pkg	15	20	$39,704	$43,695
MDX 4WD 4-Door Tech/Entertainment Pkg	15	20	$41,699	$45,895
MDX 4WD 4-Door Tech/Pwr Tail Gate	15	20	$40,203	$44,245

AWD 4-Door

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$36,530

$34,995

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$40,195

$39,100

Monthly Payment Estimate

$670 / month

$652 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.8

Read Our Full Review

8.4

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2008 Acura MDX has a little more passion than most larger SUVs, with no less practicality.

The 2009 Lexus RX 350 is a well-liked, competitive utility vehicle that has everything but personality.

TCC Likes

Strong acceleration, even with a full load
Sporty handling without a sacrifice in ride
Attractive styling inside and out

Silent interior
Superior refinement and quality
Luxury amenities

TCC Dislikes

Rearward visibility is obscured by the back pillar
Instrument panel layout is overly complex
Lacks high-tech options such as adaptive headlamps or laser cruise control

Bland, ubiquitous exterior
Handling isn’t great
Premium fuel stipulation

Fuel Economy

City

15 mpg

17 mpg

Highway

20 mpg

22 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Sport Utility Vehicle

4WD Sport Utility Vehicle

Interior Dimensions

Third Shoulder Room (in)

57.1

Second Leg Room (in)

38.7

36.4

Front Head Room (in)

39.2

39.3

Passenger Volume (ft³)

142.2

102.5

Second Hip Room (in)

59.1

55.1

Front Shoulder Room (in)

61.6

57.9

Third Leg Room (in)

29.1

Second Head Room (in)

38.6

Passenger Capacity

Third Hip Room (in)

42.9

Second Shoulder Room (in)

61.5

57.1

Front Leg Room (in)

41.2

42.5

Third Head Room (in)

35.7

Front Hip Room (in)

59.0

55.6

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

68.2

66.1

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Track Width, Rear (in)

67.5

61.2

Wheelbase (in)

104.3

106.9

Rear Door Opening Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

78.5

72.6

Track Width, Front (in)

67.7

62.0

Min Ground Clearance (in)

8.2

7.5

Length, Overall (in)

190.7

186.2

Rear Door Opening Width (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

42.9

38.3

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

83.5

84.7

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

15.0

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)

- TBD -

Brakes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.0 x - TBD -

12.6 x - TBD -

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.2 x - TBD -

11.3 x - TBD -

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

21.0

19.2

Steering

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

17.0

16.0

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

37.6

37.4

Steering Type

Variable Pwr

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

3.29

3.0

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P255/55HR18

225/65SR17

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P255/55HR18

225/65SR17

Spare Tire Size

T165/80D17

225/65SR17

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

500

200

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

5000

2000

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4548

4090

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Alloy

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

- TBD -

Aluminum

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 x 8

17 x 6.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

17 x 6.5

Rear Wheel Material

Alloy

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 x 8

17 x 6.5

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

9.7

- TBD -

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

610

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

130

- TBD -

Engine

Displacement

3.7L/224

3.5L/211

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

300 @ 6000

270 @ 6200

Engine Type

Gas V6

Fuel System

PGM-FI

SFI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

275 @ 5000

251 @ 4700

Engine Order Code

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.54

0.76

Trans Description Cont. Again

Drivetrain

4 Wheel Drive

All-Wheel Drive

Reverse Ratio (:1)

1.89

3.38

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

1.61

2.36

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

4.53

3.29

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.77

1.05

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Automatic

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

2.70

4.24

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.07

1.52

Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), High

1.00

Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), Low

- TBD -

Summary

Vehicle Name

Acura MDX

Lexus RX 350

Body Style

4 Door

4-Door SUV

Suspension

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

0.95

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

MacPherson strut

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

0.91

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Independent

MacPherson Strut

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multilink

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

Independent

MacPherson Strut

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

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