When reliability tops the wish list, most luxury buyers head straight for 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 dependable SUVs.
One model in particular flies under the radar despite offering the same peace of mind. While the Lexus RX asks around $52,000 for two rows and a hybrid setup, this alternative gives you three rows, up to 355 horsepower, and reliability that’s right up there with Lexus for about the same money.
It doesn’t have the sales numbers or the spotlight of the RX, but that’s exactly what makes it such an underrated buy.
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The overlooked luxury SUV worth considering
Acura’s best-seller deserves a lot more attention
The SUV we’re talking about is the Acura MDX, and it deserves a lot more attention than it gets. It’s Acura’s best-selling model in the U.S., pairing Lexus-like reliability with the kind of size and practicality that make it easy to live with every day.
It also delivers the performance, comfort, and premium features you’d expect from a European luxury SUV, just without the higher ownership costs that usually come with one.
Built to go the distance
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 to iSeeCars, the MDX has an estimated lifespan 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 J-series V-6 engine family, 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 edge, especially in hybrid form, with the RX 350h projected to last 166,936 miles, or 14.3 years, and carrying 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 hitting the same milestone, while iSeeCars hasn’t yet published 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 refreshingly affordable to own. CarEdge estimates it’ll cost around $10,565 in maintenance and repairs over its first 10 years, which is $1,888 less than the average luxury SUV, while giving it just a 29-percent chance of needing a major repair during that time.
The difference becomes even clearer when you compare it to a BMW X5. CarEdge estimates the X5 will rack up $19,460 in maintenance and repair costs over the same period—more than $7,000 above the segment average—and gives it a 56-percent chance of requiring major repairs, meaning you could end up spending nearly twice as much to keep it on the road.
A lot of SUV for the money
The MDX also makes a strong case on value. Starting at $51,800, it’s priced almost exactly alongside the two-row Lexus RX, yet gives you three rows, a standard V-6, and more power across the lineup, with the 355-horsepower MDX Type S comfortably outperforming the RX 350’s 275 horsepower.
Despite that, the MDX has never enjoyed the same popularity as the RX. Lexus simply carries more prestige, but if you look beyond the badge, the MDX deserves to be mentioned in the same conversation thanks to its mix of performance, practicality, and everyday usability.
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Why the Acura MDX deserves more attention
It’s quicker, roomier, and just as dependable as the Lexus RX
If the Lexus RX is already on your shortlist, the MDX deserves a spot there too. The RX still makes the most sense if you want a luxury hybrid, but if you’re sticking with a gas-powered SUV, the MDX is arguably the more compelling all-round package.
Sharp styling inside and out
No matter which MDX you choose, you’re getting a midsize luxury SUV with a sporty edge, but the A-Spec, A-Spec Advance, and Type S trims are where the styling really comes alive. They add a more aggressive front bumper, dark-finished 20-inch wheels, and extra 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 plenty going for it. The wide center console and sculpted dashboard give it a sporty feel, and while the generous use of gloss black trim isn’t as elegant as some rivals, the rest of the interior feels genuinely premium, with quality materials and a usable third row that makes the MDX more practical than many competitors.
A V-6 that’s still worth having
This is where the MDX starts to make a stronger case against the RX. The V-6 is smooth and durable, thanks to Honda’s J-series setup, long regarded as one of the most overengineered 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 genuinely strong soundtrack. Our colleagues over at TopSpeed have driven it and describe it as a properly sporty, well-sorted SUV, helped by Brembo brakes up front and adaptive dampers that keep everything composed under pressure.
The 10-speed automatic isn’t quite as sharp as BMW’s excellent ZF unit, but it still does a solid job overall. Taken as a whole, the MDX manages to balance everyday comfort with genuine driver appeal better than most rivals in its class.
- Base Trim Engine
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3.5L V6 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
-
10-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
290 HP @6200 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
-
267 lb.-ft. @ 4700 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
19/26/22 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Type
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Lead acid battery
- Make
-
Acura
- Model
-
MDX
The non-Type S versions still have plenty of appeal, especially with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) adding a noticeable layer of rear-axle torque vectoring. Even so, the MDX stays impressively balanced, feeling sporty when pushed but comfortable enough for everyday use.
The Type S takes that contrast further with adaptive dampers that sharpen the split between comfort and performance modes. The V6 isn’t the most efficient in the segment, especially compared to BMW’s B58 inline-six in the X5, but there’s still plenty to like.
Overall, the MDX stands out for combining three-row practicality with genuine driver appeal in a way few rivals in this class manage.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
