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Model comparison · West Herr Acura of Buffalo
The 2026 Acura MDX and the 2026 Acura RDX are the two SUVs our Buffalo-area shoppers cross-shop most often, and the decision usually comes down to one question: do you need a third row? At West Herr Acura of Buffalo, 7460 Transit Road in Williamsville, we walk customers through this comparison every week, so here is the honest breakdown — seating, all-wheel drive, cargo, towing, technology, and what each one actually costs.
The short version: the 2026 Acura RDX is a five-passenger compact SUV that starts at $51,050 and comes standard with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™. The 2026 Acura MDX is a seven-passenger midsize SUV that starts at $53,250 with front-wheel drive, and $55,450 once you add SH-AWD®. Both prices include Acura's $1,450 destination and handling charge for SUVs. That roughly $4,400 gap between an RDX and an all-wheel-drive MDX buys you two more seats, 3,500 additional pounds of towing capacity, and nearly ten more cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row.
From $53,250 including destination
You carry more than four people on a regular basis, tow a boat or a camper, or want the option of the 355-horsepower Type S. The MDX seats seven, tows up to 5,000 pounds with SH-AWD®, and is the only one of the two available with a turbocharged V6 and adaptive air suspension.
From $46,550 including destination
You rarely need more than five seats and you want all-wheel drive without stepping up in price. Every 2026 RDX includes SH-AWD® as standard equipment, returns an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined, and has a tighter 38.9-foot turning circle for downtown Buffalo parking ramps.
This is where most comparisons end, so let's start here. The 2026 Acura MDX seats seven across three rows and measures 198.4 inches long on a 113.8-inch wheelbase. The 2026 Acura RDX seats five across two rows and measures 187.4 inches long on a 108.3-inch wheelbase. That eleven-inch difference in overall length is what makes the MDX's third row possible.
The MDX third row offers 36.2 inches of headroom and 29.1 inches of legroom, which is genuinely usable for kids and workable for adults on shorter trips — a run out to the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, not a drive to Cleveland. Acura also builds the MDX second row with a removable middle seat and a one-touch smart-slide walk-in feature, so families can switch between a six-passenger captain's-chair layout and a seven-passenger bench without a dealer visit.
Worth noting for anyone assuming bigger means taller: the RDX actually sits higher off the ground. The 2026 RDX has 8.2 inches of unladen ground clearance versus 7.3 inches on a standard MDX. Only the MDX Type S, with its adaptive air suspension, can exceed that — it ranges from 6.7 to 9.4 inches depending on drive mode.
| Specification | 2026 Acura MDX | 2026 Acura RDX |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum seating | 7 passengers, three rows | 5 passengers, two rows |
| Overall length | 198.4 in | 187.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 113.8 in | 108.3 in |
| Width | 78.7 in | 74.8 in |
| Ground clearance (unladen) | 7.3 in (Type S: 6.7–9.4 in) | 8.2 in |
| Turning diameter, curb to curb | 40.5 ft | 38.9 ft |
| EPA passenger volume | 139.1 cu ft | 104 cu ft |
This is the comparison point that matters most in Erie County, and it works differently than most shoppers expect. Every 2026 Acura RDX sold at West Herr Acura of Buffalo comes with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ as standard equipment — there is no front-wheel-drive RDX. The 2026 MDX, by contrast, starts as a front-wheel-drive vehicle at $53,250, and SH-AWD® is a $2,200 step up to $55,450.
Every 2026 Acura RDX includes SH-AWD® as standard. On the 2026 MDX, all-wheel drive starts at $55,450 including destination — which is why the RDX is often the better winter value for Buffalo drivers who don't need seven seats.
SH-AWD® is not a passive system that waits for a wheel to slip. It actively distributes torque front-to-rear and side-to-side across the rear axle, which is what makes an Acura feel planted rather than reactive on an unplowed side street in South Buffalo or a lake-effect morning on the 219. Both vehicles pair it with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Integrated Dynamics System, though the MDX offers five drive modes including Snow while the RDX offers four.
One practical winter note our service advisors bring up often: the RDX Advance and A-Spec® Advance packages include a windshield wiper de-icer, a feature the MDX package structure does not list for 2026. If you park outdoors through a Buffalo winter, that is a small detail worth a test drive conversation.
The 2026 Acura MDX uses a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC® V6 producing 290 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 267 lb-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm. The 2026 Acura RDX uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter DOHC VTEC® four-cylinder producing 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 lb-ft of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm.
Read those torque figures carefully, because the headline horsepower number is misleading in daily driving. The RDX makes more peak torque than the MDX, and it makes it across a broad low-rpm band starting at 1,600 rpm. In stop-and-go traffic on Transit Road, the turbocharged RDX often feels quicker off the line than its 18-horsepower deficit suggests. The MDX V6 pulls harder at highway speed and when the vehicle is loaded with passengers and gear.
Towing is not close. A 2026 MDX with SH-AWD® is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds; a front-wheel-drive MDX is rated at 3,500 pounds. The 2026 RDX is rated at 1,500 pounds. If you pull a boat to Chautauqua Lake or tow a small camper, the MDX with SH-AWD® is the only one of the two that will do it.
Cargo follows the same pattern. Behind the second row, the MDX offers 39.1 cubic feet by the SAE J1100 standard, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet when underfloor storage is included. The RDX offers 29.5 cubic feet behind its second row. With the MDX third row up, cargo drops to 16.3 cubic feet — less than the RDX — which is the trade-off families make when all seven seats are occupied.
| Specification | 2026 Acura MDX | 2026 Acura RDX |
|---|---|---|
| Standard engine | 3.5L SOHC i-VTEC® V6 | 2.0L turbocharged DOHC VTEC® 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 290 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 272 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
| Torque | 267 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm | 280 lb-ft @ 1,600–4,500 rpm |
| Performance engine | Type S: 3.0L twin-scroll turbo V6, 355 hp, 354 lb-ft | Not offered |
| Drivetrain | FWD standard; SH-AWD® available | SH-AWD® standard on every trim |
| Towing capacity | 3,500 lb (FWD) / 5,000 lb (SH-AWD®) | 1,500 lb |
| Cargo behind second row | 39.1 cu ft (48.4 cu ft max) | 29.5 cu ft |
| EPA fuel economy (city/hwy/combined) | 19/26/22 FWD · 19/25/21 SH-AWD® · 17/21/19 Type S | 21/27/23 |
| Fuel tank | 18.5 gal, premium 91 octane | 17.1 gal, premium 91 octane |
The biggest day-to-day difference between these two Acuras is how you interact with the screen. The 2026 MDX uses a 12.3-inch color touchscreen with Google built-in, including a three-year unlimited data plan for in-vehicle apps, plus a 12.3-inch HD Precision Cockpit™ digital instrument cluster. The 2026 RDX uses Acura's True Touchpad Interface™ with a 10.2-inch HD dual-content center display and a 7-inch color multi-information display.
The True Touchpad Interface™ is an absolute-position trackpad rather than a touchscreen — where you press on the pad maps directly to where you land on the screen. Some drivers prefer it because it keeps fingerprints off the display and requires less reaching. Others strongly prefer the MDX touchscreen. We tell every Buffalo shopper the same thing: this is the single feature most worth ten minutes in the driver's seat before you sign anything, because it is not something you can evaluate from a spec sheet.
Audio splits along brand lines. MDX steps up to a Bang & Olufsen® Premium Audio System with 19 speakers on the Technology Package and 31 speakers on Type S Advance. RDX steps up to an ELS Studio® Premium Audio System with 12 speakers on the Technology Package and an ELS Studio 3D® system with 16 speakers on A-Spec® and Advance. Both vehicles include a panoramic moonroof, wireless Apple CarPlay®, wireless Android Auto™, and Acura's Iconic Drive™ ambient cabin lighting with 27 themes as you move up the range.
Both models also carry the same standard suite of AcuraWatch driver-assistive technologies, including Collision Mitigation Braking System™, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist System, Blind Spot Information System, and Road Departure Mitigation. Warranty coverage is identical: a 4-year/50,000-mile limited vehicle warranty and a 6-year/70,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, both backed by our factory-trained Acura service technicians at 7460 Transit Road.
Here is how the two ranges line up. All figures below are Acura suggested retail prices excluding the $1,450 destination and handling charge for SUVs, plus taxes, title, and registration.
| Package | 2026 Acura MDX | 2026 Acura RDX |
|---|---|---|
| Base | $51,800 FWD · $54,000 SH-AWD® | $45,100 SH-AWD® |
| Technology Package | $57,200 FWD · $59,400 SH-AWD® | $47,700 |
| A-Spec® Package | $62,400 SH-AWD® | $50,700 |
| Advance Package | $66,900 SH-AWD® | $52,850 |
| A-Spec® Advance Package | $68,900 SH-AWD® | $54,850 |
| Type S Advance | $75,850 SH-AWD® | Not offered |
Two observations from the showroom floor. First, a loaded RDX A-Spec® Advance at $54,850 costs roughly the same as a base MDX with SH-AWD® at $54,000 — so the real choice at that price point is a fully equipped compact SUV versus a lightly equipped midsize one. Second, the MDX Type S Advance is a genuinely different vehicle, not just a trim: it swaps in a 355-horsepower twin-scroll turbocharged V6, adaptive air suspension, Brembo® four-piston front brakes, and a 31-speaker Bang & Olufsen® system.
For most Buffalo-area drivers, the 2026 Acura RDX is the better winter value because Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ is standard on every RDX trim starting at $45,100, while the 2026 MDX starts as a front-wheel-drive vehicle and requires a $2,200 step up to $54,000 for SH-AWD®. The RDX also has more ground clearance at 8.2 inches versus 7.3 inches on a standard MDX. If you need seven seats or tow capability, the MDX with SH-AWD® is the right call. West Herr Acura of Buffalo stocks both configurations at 7460 Transit Road in Williamsville.
The 2026 Acura MDX starts at $51,800 for a front-wheel-drive model and $54,000 with SH-AWD®, while the 2026 Acura RDX starts at $45,100 with SH-AWD® standard. Comparing like-for-like all-wheel-drive models, the MDX costs $8,900 more than the RDX before the $1,450 destination and handling charge, taxes, and fees. That difference buys two additional seats, 3,500 more pounds of towing capacity, and 9.6 more cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row.
No. The 2026 Acura RDX is a two-row, five-passenger compact SUV. If you need a third row from Acura, the 2026 MDX is the only option — it seats seven and offers 36.2 inches of third-row headroom and 29.1 inches of third-row legroom. Our sales team at West Herr Acura of Buffalo can put both vehicles side by side in the lot so you can climb into the MDX third row before deciding.
The 2026 Acura MDX with SH-AWD® is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds, and the front-wheel-drive MDX is rated at 3,500 pounds. The 2026 Acura RDX is rated at 1,500 pounds. Towing on either model requires the Acura accessory trailer hitch and hitch ball, which our parts department at 7460 Transit Road in Williamsville can quote and install. Added cargo weight inside the vehicle reduces maximum towing capacity.
The 2026 Acura RDX is more efficient, with EPA-estimated ratings of 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg. The 2026 Acura MDX is rated at 19/26/22 mpg with front-wheel drive, 19/25/21 mpg with SH-AWD®, and 17/21/19 mpg for the Type S. Both the MDX and the RDX are designed for premium unleaded 91-octane fuel.
The A-Spec® Package is an appearance and interior package built on the standard 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. The MDX Type S Advance, priced from $75,850, is a mechanically different vehicle: it uses a 355-horsepower twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 354 lb-ft of torque, adds adaptive air suspension with auto leveling, Brembo® four-piston front brakes, 21-inch wheels, and a 31-speaker Bang & Olufsen® Premium Audio System. The 2026 RDX is not offered in a Type S configuration.
Yes. West Herr Acura of Buffalo at 7460 Transit Road in Williamsville, NY 14221 keeps both the 2026 MDX and the 2026 RDX in stock and can arrange a back-to-back drive so you can compare the MDX touchscreen against the RDX True Touchpad Interface™ and feel the difference between the V6 and the turbocharged four-cylinder on the same roads. Call (716) 204-7400 to have both pulled up before you arrive. Sales hours are 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday; 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Wednesday and Friday; and 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday.
Spec sheets settle the seating question. Everything else — the interface, the ride, whether the third row earns its keep for your family — is a fifteen-minute drive away. Our team will have both vehicles pulled up and ready.
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West Herr Acura of Buffalo · 7460 Transit Road, Williamsville, NY 14221 · Sales (716) 204-7400 · Service (716) 428-7080 · Serving Buffalo, Amherst, Clarence, Lancaster, and Erie County.
Prices shown are Acura suggested retail prices only and do not include taxes, license, or destination and handling charge. The destination and handling charge for Acura SUVs is $1,450. Premium paint colors are $600 and are not included. Acura vehicle accessory costs, labor, and installation vary. Dealers set their own prices. Please consult West Herr Acura of Buffalo for current pricing and availability.
EPA fuel economy figures are based on 2026 EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, and other factors.
Towing requires the addition of the Acura accessory trailer hitch and hitch ball. Added cargo weight in the vehicle may reduce maximum towing capacity; see the Owner's Guide for details. Cargo volume figures are based on the SAE J1100 cargo volume measurement standard; maximum figures include underfloor storage.
SH-AWD®, AcuraWatch, and the driver-assistive systems described on this page are not substitutes for safe driving and cannot detect all objects or conditions. System accuracy varies based on weather, speed, and road conditions. The driver remains responsible for safely operating the vehicle and avoiding collisions.
Vehicle specifications, packages, and pricing reflect published 2026 Acura product information and are subject to change without notice. [[VERIFY]] — confirm all pricing and equipment against current Acura data before publish, and re-check at each model-year changeover.
