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Acura MDX vs. Lexus TX
The 2026 Acura MDX Beats the 2026 Lexus TX in Memphis, TN
Two three-row luxury SUVs, one clear winner. The 2026 Acura MDX outguns the Lexus TX where it counts: engine output, cabin flexibility, and how much tech comes standard rather than being locked behind the priciest trim. Acura of Memphis put this page together because Memphis, TN-area shoppers keep asking the same question, and the answer keeps coming back the same way.
Power That Actually Shows Up
Base MDX buyers get a 3.5-liter V6 making 290 horsepower, standard, no upcharge required. The Lexus TX starts off with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder instead, a smaller engine tasked with a bigger SUV's job. The Type S Advance uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 that produces 355 horsepower. Merging onto I-40 near Bartlett, TN, with a full cabin, that difference is not subtle. Acura backs it with Super Handling all-wheel drive (AWD), a system that shifts torque rear-to-rear for real cornering grip. Most three-row SUVs in this price range settle for AWD that reacts to slip.
Room for Seven, Not Six
Seven-passenger seating comes standard on every 2026 Acura MDX trim. The Lexus TX offers optional second-row captain's chairs that reduce capacity to six. That's a strange trade for a family SUV to make. Legroom up front measures 41.6 inches in the 2026 Acura MDX, and the third row folds 50/50 with a one-touch Smart Slide that lets second-row passengers climb back without gymnastics. Families around Collierville, TN, hauling kids between practices and errands need that seat to work every time, not just on paper.
Flexible Cargo Space for Active Families
Fold every seat flat, and the 2026 Acura MDX opens up to 95.0 cubic feet of cargo room, with 16.3 cubic feet available behind the third row for grocery runs or gear without folding anything. The Lexus TX claims a slightly higher max figure at 97.0 cubic feet, but the MDX closes that gap where it matters. A hidden cargo lid keeps valuables and smaller items out of sight, a feature the TX doesn't match. The load floor sits low enough that loading a cooler for a weekend at the lake near Little Rock, AR, doesn't turn into a workout, and that lower lift-over height beats the TX's taller lift height.
Safety Equipment That Comes Standard
Shoppers from Lakeland, TN, to Hernando, MS, will find value in the 2026 Acura MDX shipping with the full AcuraWatch™ safety suite, with no trim requirement: collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, and traffic sign recognition. The Lexus TX offers Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 as its base package, but front and rear parking sensors and a surround-view camera system are reserved for higher trims.
On the 2026 Acura MDX, parking sensors are included from the Technology trim up, and the surround-view camera comes standard on Advance and above. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard across the entire 2026 Acura MDX lineup, too, not held back for buyers willing to spend more. Drivers commuting between Olive Branch and Nashville, MS, get that full safety suite from the base trim up, no negotiating required.
FAQ
The MDX measures 198.4 inches long, 78.7 inches wide, and 67.9 inches tall. The TX runs longer at 203.1 inches. On tight Memphis, TN streets and parking decks, the MDX's shorter footprint is easier to work with.
Both SUVs seat up to seven. The Lexus TX drops to six on trims with optional captain's chairs. The 2026 Acura MDX holds seven-passenger seating on every single trim.
Fold the rear seats down, and you get 95.0 cubic feet.
- MDX: The starting point, standard 3.5-liter V6 with 290 horsepower, 19-inch wheels, panoramic moonroof, and the full AcuraWatch™ safety suite. Front-wheel drive or Super Handling All-Wheel Drive.
- Technology: Adds parking sensors front and rear, rain-sensing wipers, remote engine start, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system on top of the base trim.
- A-Spec: Sport-focused styling with 20-inch wheels, LED fog lights, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and Ultrasuede seat trim. Ventilated front seats come standard here.
- Advance: Steps up comfort with heated second-row seats, a 10.5-inch head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and 16-way power front seats with 9-way massage.
- A-Spec Advance: Combines the A-Spec's sport styling with the Advance trim's comfort and tech package, giving buyers both in one build.
- Type S Advance: The performance flagship, powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 making 355 horsepower, paired with Brembo front brakes and a 31-speaker Bang & Olufsen Ultra Sound System.
Standard AcuraWatch™ safety tech, standard Google built-in, a panoramic moonroof, and available 9-way massage front seats on Advance trims, all riding on genuine V6 power.
