2024 Acura MDX Type S vs. Lexus RX500h F Sport: Outright Performance?

Traditionally, this pair has been tasked with driving families in a comfortable and safe way, but the Type S and F Sport badges add a healthy dose of oomph. These SUVs went through more development and testing, with their respective engineering teams investing more time in making them edgier and sporty. But neither of them felt insanely quick. Don't think of these two as ultimate sporty SUVs—they up performance, but they don't feel like they're in the same category as an Audi SQ7 or BMW X5 M60i. The Acura and Lexus are stronger than their respective regular trims, and they are here for those drivers who want more punch.

That was our feeling when we were driving them on Malibu's canyon roads. They both felt stronger but not necessarily sportier than the Europeans, but that didn't stop us from having fun. Right away, the Lexus felt quicker off the line thanks to its torquey electric motors delivering the power in a refined and linear way. The Acura felt a little out of place; its V-6 engine had a harder time moving all 4,769 pounds, and its nose-heavy body wasn't as comfortable on the twisty roads as the RX was.

On the test track, the Lexus beat the Type S on both the 0-60-mph and quarter-mile tests, with the pair recording 5.9 and 6.2 seconds on the former. That's the kind of experience we got on Malibu's canyons, where the RX felt more refined and quicker, while the MDX took a bit longer to deliver its performance.

But not everything is about speed and straight-line acceleration. Canyon roads are a perfect way to test the car's handling, and it was there where we noticed how superior the RX was. The Lexus took corners with ease, delivering great body control and refinement, dancing through the twists. "It's smooth and quiet," associate road test editor Erick Ayapana said. "The transitions between the electric motors and combustion engine are imperceptible, showcasing Lexus's mastery of hybrid powertrains." Lexus also equipped the RX with rear-wheel steering, allowing it to take corners with more precision.

The Acura has its oomph, but it fell short of what we were expecting from a Type S. Although its 3.0-liter turbo V-6 has plenty of punch, it doesn't feel as refined as the Lexus. Type S has been about high performance and thrilling rides, not just quicker acceleration. "Those seeking a fun-to-drive crossover will likely be disappointed," Ayapana said. The 10-speed automatic hesitated to downshift, whereas the RX's old but mighty six-speed worked wonderfully. Ayapana described the Acura's ride as stiff and brittle and said its body control was adequate at best. That's not what we want from a vehicle wearing a Type S badge.

Neither SUV had the steering response we were looking for, as both had a soft and numb feel. The Acura's steering would change with its drive modes; it was soft in Normal mode but a bit stiffer when Sport mode was engaged. The Lexus' didn't really change much regardless of the drive mode, and we wished it delivered more feedback and precision.

Like their exterior design, the Lexus' and Acura's cabins come straight out of their mainstream variants but with some special badges. Both models have logos on their respective steering wheels, and the Lexus adds F Sport badges on the front headrests. Besides that, the cabins have the same interiors as their mainstream models, but each is approached differently.

Lexus' overall interior design feels cleaner and more modern. With a 14.0-inch touchscreen, the RX delivers a good first impression to anyone who sits in its cabin. The center console's small shifter adds a spacious touch to the cabin, and there are plenty of cubbies to place our belongings. The materials feel premium—from the leather on the seats to the textured Alcantara on the door panels. We're not huge fans of using piano black around the infotainment system, but we dig the aluminum trim that surrounded the air vents.

The MDX's overall look is also polished, but it doesn't have the same kind of modern feel the Lexus does. Its 12.3-inch screen sitting atop the dashboard looks premium but lacks the ease the Lexus infotainment offers. The MDX's screen is controlled through a touchpad on the center console, and even after a few years of testing it in different products, we prefer a traditional touchscreen over anything else. But the Acura is equipped with great materials; its leather seats and wood on the door panels feels upscale, and the aluminum trim on the speaker grilles adds a modern touch. Despite having a push-button shifter, the Acura's center console doesn't have as much space as the Lexus', and there aren't as many cubbies for phones, keys, and wallets.

The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in the MDX has better graphics than the RX, and the head-up display is easier to read thanks to its bolder numbers. The MDX Type S comes standard with massaging seats for the driver and front passenger, a feature that the RX lacks and one we enjoyed using during our comparison.

Space-wise, both SUVs have decent room in the second row, and access to the third row in the Acura was easy. The MDX's third row felt constrained for adults, though; it could be fine for a quick trip down the street, but it was designed mostly for children.

Safety is a top priority for both Acura and Lexus, and both the MDX Type S and RX500h F Sport are equipped with safety technologies to help drivers on the highway and city streets. With AcuraWatch and Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, both vehicles come standard with safety tech suites.

These safety suites include the usual technologies like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, road departure mitigation, and traffic jam assist, which follows the car in front of you at low speeds on the freeway. Both did a terrific job on the highway, staying in their lane and keeping a safe distance from the car in front. The systems were refined when accelerating or braking and felt swift as we breezed through. Each system was easy to use, but we preferred the Acura's because it clearly labels the buttons on the steering wheel. The RX has labeled buttons to turn the adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist on and off, but adjusting the speed or distance must be done by looking at the head up display, which mirrors the unlabeled buttons on the steering wheel. Ultimately, we got used to it, but it's an extra step that could be avoided.

Although the Acura costs about $4,000 more than the Lexus, it still feels competitive. The cabin is well equipped and has a third row that's good in a pinch or for children, and the quality of materials is just as nice in either SUV. But the Lexus has better technology—from its 14.0-inch touchscreen to a 360-degree camera system, something the MDX lacks. The Lexus was also superior on the road and has much better fuel economy figures—27/28/27 mpg city/highway/combined compared to the Acura's 17/21/19 mpg.

Acura and Lexus have been longtime rivals, and although the MDX Type S and RX500h F Sport represent different avenues to deliver their performance, they share the same goal. The Lexus combines an internal combustion engine with its electrified powertrain to deliver low-end torque, while the Type S brings a powerful mill with a turbo. But how they drive is quite different. The Lexus' smooth and polished ride is superior, delivering a sporty experience while the Type S' ride is busier and unrefined. Whether it was on our straight-line tests or the Malibu canyons, the Lexus was faster and more fun to drive.

Beyond the performance angle, the Lexus did a better job than the Acura—it has more modern technology and better fuel economy, plus it costs a bit less, making it the winner of this comparison. The Type S is still a decent SUV, but Acura needs to refine its ride and increase its technology to make it more competitive.