2019 Lexus NX 300 vs. Acura RDX vs. Infiniti QX50 Comparison

2019 Acura RDX: Price Tag, Features, Options & Specs

The 2019 Acura RDX has a base MSRP of $38,295, which includes the $995 destination charge. Much like the Lexus, this RDX is almost fully-loaded. This is the RDX Advance with Acura Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The price tag as it sits is $48,795. So, what does that $1,275 price premium over the Lexus get you?

Acura SH-AWD is a $2,000 price bump for all RDX trim levels.

The Advance Package is a large $8,100 jump over the standard RDX, but Acura jams a lot of content in for the money. Adaptive dampers are standard equipment on the RDX Advance, closing the price gap with the Lexus. From there, all RDX models roll on 19s as standard (20s are available), but the Advance gets a bespoke wheel design. A panoramic tilt-and-slide moonroof is standard on all RDX models. The RDX Advance gets LED fog lights, 16-way power front seats with perforated milano leather, which are heated and ventilated, heated rear seats, a surround view camera system, heads up display, rain sensing wipers, a heated steering wheel, and a 710-watt, 16 speaker Acura ELS premium audio system. The interior trim is a bespoke natural olive ash burl wood, which is quite nice. Oh, and the front side glass is acoustically laminated, for quieter cruising.

Interestingly, the only standalone option this Acura has is the paint. Inexplicably, black is a $400 up-charge.

Like the Lexus, the 2019 RDX has a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, however, it is much more powerful. The RDX is packing 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Backing that is Acura’s new 10-speed automatic transmission. With SH-AWD, this setup returns EPA fuel economy scores of 21 MPG city, 27 highway, and 23 MPG combined, one less than the Lexus.

Also like NX, the RDX has AcuraWatch as standard, the brands safety suite of technologies. Collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and road departure mitigation. All RDX models above the ‘Standard’ trim also come with parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. Additionally, the RDX Advance has an alert system tied into its heads up display.

2019 Infiniti QX50: Price Tag, Features, Options and Specs

The 2019 Infiniti QX50 has a base price of $37,545, including the $995 destination charge. The test vehicle, like the Lexus and the Acura, was almost fully-loaded, barring some small dealer add-ons. I hope you’re sitting down, because when full optioned up the QX50 sits at $59,655. Yes, that’s $22,110 in options. It’s also nearly $11,000 more than the Acura RDX Advance, and over $12,000 more than the Lexus. Of the three, the QX50 obviously has the most explaining to do, so let’s break down the price tag.

Like the others, all-wheel drive is an available option for the QX50, and an $1,800 option at that.

This top trim QX50 Essential AWD commands an $8,600 premium over the basic, two-wheel drive QX50. After the AWD is accounted for, there are $6,800 worth of upgrades left. So, there’s leather upholstery, Infiniti’s InTouch infotainment system with navigation, surround view camera, parking sensors, remote start, tri-zone climate control, heated mirrors, and rain sensing wipers.

That’s all well and good, but it obviously doesn’t account for the rest of the $22K in options, most of which are related to the interior material selection. The white semi-aniline leather interior with natural maple wood interior trim can only be specced when bundled with several other comfort and convenience packages. Specifically, that includes the $2,000 Autograph package, which pairs that white leather with blue ‘Ultrasuede’ accents and blue piping in the leatherwork. Then there is the $7,500 sensory package which includes the highest-spec premium audio system, and heated an ventilated front seats with heated rear seats, an advanced climate control system, 20-inch wheels, a motion-activated liftgate, adaptive lighting, and rear window sun shades.

The two remaining packages, ProAssist ($550) and ProActive ($2,000) are Infiniti’s safety suite of technologies, and are largely identical to what’s available in the Lexus and the Acura. The ProAssist package comes with collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise, and rear cross traffic alert. Interestingly, these features are standard equipment on the top spec versions of the Acura and the Lexus. Additionally, the ProActive package, which includes steering assist, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and prevention, auto high beam, and interestingly, adaptive steering, is a blend of tech that is standard fair, or at least much less expensive on the other two offerings in this comparison.

That’s enough stats, it’s time to switch from objective to subjective.

Continue reading about the Lexus NX 300, Acura RDX and Infiniti QX50 on the next page.