Lexus TX vs Acura MDX: The 3-Row Luxury Clash
The Lexus TX has meaningfully more third-row room. It offers 33.5 inches of third-row legroom against 29.1 inches in the Acura MDX, and 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row against roughly 16–18 cubic feet in the MDX. That 4.4-inch legroom gap is the difference between a third row adults can ride in and one best kept for kids. The MDX costs less to start and has the sportier Type S, but if you plan to carry six or seven people regularly, the TX is the stronger choice.
MDX: 29.1″
MDX: about 16–18 cu ft
Gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid. The MDX is gas-only.
Best MDX: 22 mpg (FWD)
TX vs MDX 3rd row: adult-sized vs kid-sized
Most three-row luxury SUVs claim seven seats. Far fewer have a third row an adult will sit in for a drive from Allentown to the Jersey Shore.
The TX was designed from the start as a three-row Lexus. It shares its platform with the larger Toyota Grand Highlander, not the two-row RX. The current MDX generation launched for the 2022 model year and has a shorter third-row package, and that's where the two SUVs differ most.
Kelley Blue Book on the TX: "a third row you can actually use."
Edmunds on the MDX's third row: "more of a kids-only affair."
Third-row headroom is close: about 37 inches in the TX vs 36 in the MDX. The difference is mostly knee room and how far back the seat sits.
TX captain's chairs (six seats) leave a center walk-through to the third row, which matters when you're loading kids in car seats.
2026 Lexus TX vs 2026 Acura MDX specs
| Spec | Lexus TX | Acura MDX |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (incl. destination) | $58,690 (TX 350 FWD) | $53,150 (base) |
| Powertrains | 2.4T gas (275 hp) · 2.4T hybrid (366 hp) · 3.5L V6 plug-in hybrid (404 hp) | 3.5L V6 (290 hp) · 3.0T V6 Type S (355 hp) |
| Best EPA combined | 27 mpg (TX 500h) · 76 MPGe (TX 550h+) | 22 mpg (FWD) |
| Electric-only range | 33 mi, manufacturer est. (TX 550h+) | Not offered |
| 3rd-row legroom | 33.5 in | 29.1 in |
| 2nd-row legroom | 39.5 in | 38.5 in |
| Cargo behind 3rd row | 20.2 cu ft | About 16–18 cu ft |
| Cargo, max | 97.0 cu ft | About 71–95 cu ft (sources vary) |
| Seating | 6 or 7 | 7 |
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb (AWD) |
| Warranty | 4 yr/50k basic · 6 yr/70k powertrain | 4 yr/50k basic · 6 yr/70k powertrain |
Sources: Lexus pressroom (TX pricing, powertrains, cargo); Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds (MDX specs, legroom, EPA ratings, towing); Cars.com (MDX pricing with $1,350 destination). TX pricing includes the $1,550 delivery, processing and handling fee. Published MDX cargo figures differ by source, so we show the range. Verify current pricing with a product specialist.
Who should buy which
- Adults or teens will regularly ride in the third row
- You need luggage space with all three rows in use
- You want a hybrid or plug-in hybrid option for local errands on electric power
- Long-term dependability matters: Lexus ranked #1 in the J.D. Power 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study
- The third row is an occasional, kids-only seat
- A lower starting price is the top priority
- You want the Type S performance model. Acura is pausing Type S production after the 2026 model year.
Three ways to power a TX
The MDX gives you a V6 or a turbo V6. The TX lets you choose how you want to use fuel. For Lehigh Valley commutes, the plug-in TX 550h+ can cover shorter daily round trips on electric power alone when charged at home.
- TX 350 · 2.4L turbo275 hp · 23 mpg
- TX 500h F SPORT · turbo hybrid366 hp · 27 mpg
- TX 550h+ · V6 plug-in hybrid404 hp · 33 mi EV
Range and efficiency vary with conditions, temperature, and driving style. More detail is in our TX plug-in hybrid guide.
TX vs MDX questions
Which has more 3rd-row room, the Lexus TX or the Acura MDX?
The Lexus TX does. It has 33.5 inches of third-row legroom compared with 29.1 inches in the Acura MDX, and 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row compared with roughly 16 to 18 cubic feet in the MDX.
Can adults sit in the third row of the Lexus TX?
Yes. With 33.5 inches of legroom and about 37 inches of headroom, the TX third row is one of the more adult-friendly in the three-row luxury SUV class. Kelley Blue Book describes it as a third row you can actually use.
Is the Lexus TX more expensive than the Acura MDX?
The TX starts higher, at $58,690 for the TX 350 FWD including delivery, compared with $53,150 for the base MDX including destination. The TX also offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions that the MDX does not.
Does the Acura MDX come as a hybrid?
No. The 2026 MDX is offered with a 3.5-liter V6 or the 3.0-liter turbo V6 in the Type S. The Lexus TX is available as the TX 500h hybrid and the TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid.
Which is better on gas, the TX or the MDX?
The TX 500h hybrid is EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined, and the TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid is rated at 76 MPGe. The most efficient MDX is rated at 22 mpg combined.
Test the TX third row yourself
Bring the family and climb in back. That's the fastest way to settle a 3-row comparison.