Lexus RX vs Acura MDX: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Lexus RX is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $2,230 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (RX 350h, 36 MPG combined), against $3,600 for the Acura MDX (MDX, 22 MPG combined). That is $1,370 a year, or $6,850 over five years.

Both are classed as Small SUVs by the EPA. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

Illustration: Small SUVs

Hybrid
Small SUVs

Lexus RX

Lowest fuel cost configuration

RX 350h

Combined

City

Highway

Annual fuel cost

$2,230

$14.87 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

4 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Small SUVs

Gas
Small SUVs

Acura MDX

Lowest fuel cost configuration

MDX

Combined

City

Highway

Annual fuel cost

$3,600

$24.00 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

3 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

Lexus RX$2,230 a year · $14.87 per 100 mi
Acura MDX$3,600 a year · $24.00 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$1,370

Lexus RX costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$6,850

$1,370 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Lexus RX and Acura MDX compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure	Lexus RX	Acura MDX
Lowest-cost configuration	RX 350h	MDX
Powertrain	Hybrid	Gas
Combined rating	36 MPG (better)	22 MPG
City rating	37 MPG (better)	19 MPG
Highway rating	34 MPG (better)	26 MPG
Annual fuel cost	$2,230/yr (better)	$3,600/yr
Cost per 100 miles	$14.87 (better)	$24.00
Annual cost range, all configurations	$2,230–$3,380	$3,600–$4,120
Configurations in MY2026	4	3
EPA class	Small SUVs	Small SUVs

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Lexus RX and Acura MDX
Powertrain	Lexus RX	Acura MDX
Gas	25 MPG · $3,240/yr RX 350	22 MPG · $3,600/yr MDX
Hybrid	36 MPG · $2,230/yr RX 350h	Not offered in MY2026

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Lexus RX

Lower annual fuel cost: $2,230 vs $3,600
Higher combined rating: 36 MPG vs 22 MPG
Higher city rating: 37 MPG vs 19 MPG
Higher highway rating: 34 MPG vs 26 MPG
Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $3,240 vs $3,600
Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Acura MDX does not

Acura MDX

Not ahead on any measure listed here.

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Lexus RX and Acura MDX
Model year	Lexus RX		Acura MDX
Model year	Combined	Per year	Combined	Per year
2026	24–36 MPG	$2,230–$3,380	19–22 MPG	$3,600–$4,120
2025	24–36 MPG	$1,520–$3,380	19–22 MPG	$3,600–$4,120
2024	24–36 MPG	$2,230–$3,390	19–22 MPG	$3,600–$4,120
2023	24–36 MPG	$2,230–$3,390	19–22 MPG	$3,600–$4,120
2022	21–30 MPG	$2,700–$3,070	19–22 MPG	$3,600–$4,120
2020	21–30 MPG	$2,700–$3,080	21–27 MPG	$2,990–$3,760
2019	21–30 MPG	$2,700–$3,080	21–27 MPG	$3,000–$3,760
2018	21–30 MPG	$2,700–$3,080	21–27 MPG	$3,000–$3,830
2017	22–30 MPG	$2,700–$2,990	21–27 MPG	$3,000–$3,830
2016	22–30 MPG	$2,650–$2,990	21–23 MPG	$3,480–$3,830
2015	20–29 MPG	$2,730–$3,270	21–23 MPG	$3,520–$3,760
2014	20–29 MPG	$2,730–$3,280	21–23 MPG	$3,520–$3,760
2013	20–29 MPG	$2,730–$3,270	18 MPG	$4,520
2012	20–29 MPG	$2,730–$3,270	18 MPG	$4,520
2011	20–29 MPG	$2,730–$3,930	18 MPG	$4,520
2010	20–30 MPG	$2,680–$4,020	18 MPG	$4,460
2009	19–20 MPG	$4,020–$4,230	17 MPG	$4,730
2008	19–25 MPG	$3,210–$4,230	17 MPG	$4,730
2007	19–26 MPG	$3,090–$4,230	17 MPG	$4,730
2006	18–27 MPG	$2,420–$4,460	17 MPG	$4,730
2005	18–20 MPG	$3,270–$3,630	17 MPG	$4,730
2004	19–20 MPG	$3,270–$3,440	17 MPG	$4,730
2003	18 MPG	$3,630	17 MPG	$4,730
2002	18 MPG	$3,630	17 MPG	$4,730
2001	18 MPG	$3,630	17 MPG	$4,730

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Lexus RX or the Acura MDX?

The Lexus RX is cheaper: about $2,230 a year against $3,600 for the Acura MDX, a difference of $1,370 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Lexus RX save over five years?

About $6,850 ($1,370 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Lexus RX or the Acura MDX?

The Lexus RX is rated 36 MPG combined against 22 MPG for the Acura MDX. City: 37 MPG vs 19 MPG. Highway: 34 MPG vs 26 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Lexus RX and the Acura MDX in the same class?

Yes. The EPA classes both as Small SUVs.

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More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles