Compare the2026 Lexus UXVS 2026 Acura ADX

The UX has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Front Seatbacks, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Front Seatbacks system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The ADX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The UX has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The ADX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the UX and ADX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the UX offers optional Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The ADX’s Rear Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the UX and the ADX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and rear parking sensors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Lexus UX is safer than the ADX:

The UX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the ADX’s (6 vs. 5 years).

The battery on the UX is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the UX’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The ADX’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the UX’s reliability 13 points higher than the ADX.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the UX second among small premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The ADX isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 15th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 109 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 29th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Acura is ranked 7th.

The UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 6 more horsepower (196 vs. 190) than the ADX’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Lexus UX is faster than the Acura ADX:

On the EPA test cycle the UX gets better mileage than the ADX:

Regenerative brakes improve the UX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The ADX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lexus UX uses regular unleaded gasoline. The ADX requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus UX higher (6 out of 10) than the Acura ADX (5). This means the UX produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the ADX every 15,000 miles.

The UX’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the ADX’s standard 55 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the UX can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The ADX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The UX has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The ADX’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The UX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The ADX’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better maneuverability, the UX’s turning circle is 2.8 feet tighter than the ADX’s (34.2 feet vs. 37 feet).

The UX is 8.8 inches shorter than the ADX, making the UX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The UX has .1 inches more front legroom and 4.9 inches more rear hip room than the ADX.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the UX. The ADX doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Acura. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 15% lower rating, Acura is ranked 6th.

The UX Premium/F Sport offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The ADX doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The UX’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The ADX’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the ADX A-Spec’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the UX the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the ADX can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The UX offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The ADX doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the UX F Sport has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The ADX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The UX’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The ADX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Compared to the Acura ADX, the Lexus UX eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Compared to the Acura ADX’s traditional radio, the Lexus UX equipped with standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus UX and the Acura ADX, based on reliability, safety and performance.