2026 Acura MDX vs Lexus RX

The 2026 Acura MDX and Lexus RX are two commonly cross-shopped luxury SUVs, but what details actually set these two models apart? Learn what makes each differ in your day-to-day driving with Priority Acura in Chesapeake, VA.

Passenger Seating Capacity

In the 2026 Acura MDX, you’ll get three full rows of seating, including a second-row center seat you can remove to create two captain's chairs instead of a bench. The Lexus RX caps out at five seats across two rows, with no three-row option offered on this generation. If you’ve got a larger family or are often running the carpool, this new Acura model is the clear winner.

Maximum Cargo Space

The cargo numbers also favor the 2026 Acura MDX from the start. If you fold the third row for a comparable seating configuration to the Lexus RX, the Acura MDX offers 39.1 cubic feet of storage compared to 29.6 cubic feet in its rival. Fold everything flat and that gap widens further, with 71.4 cubic feet available in the 2026 Acura MDX against 46.2 cubic feet in the Lexus RX. Even if you’re using all rows in the Acura SUV, you’ll still have 16.3 cubic feet of storage behind the third row.

Towing Capacity

Hook up a trailer, and the 2026 Acura MDX pulls ahead by a wide margin. With all-wheel drive and the vehicle properly equipped, you can tow up to 5,000 lbs in the 2026 Acura MDX, compared with a 3,500-lb ceiling for the Lexus RX. For active families who often need to haul a boat, camper, or utility trailer, that level of capability is non-negotiable.

Test-Drive the 2026 Acura MDX in Chesapeake, VA

Seating for seven, nearly double the maximum cargo room, and 1,500 lbs of extra towing capacity add up to a clear advantage for the 2026 Acura MDX over the Lexus RX. Stop by our Acura dealership in Chesapeake, VA, to see those numbers in action for yourself and get behind the wheel. When you're ready to make it official, the team at Priority Acura can walk you through Acura financing options built around your budget.